Whilst eating out in a restaurant is pleasant, meeting new people in a relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere, seeing how good food is prepared and then eating it, definitely wins the day for me. In inviting us to her demonstration of French country cooking, Grainne Jakobson had promised a lovely evening out, where we could meet new friends, enjoy the atmosphere and the good food without having to do any washing up. Walking up the drive of her beautiful Georgian House we had a sense of the delights to come.

The new friends we met in the comfortable lounge included a young Canadian couple, working for a year in the North East, who having found Grainne’s website (www.woodendcookery.co.uk/ ) decided to have a weekend break in The Lake District and enjoy some English hospitality.

While waiting for the demonstration to begin, we were treated to a non-alcoholic aperitif of iced cranberry juice and mouth-watering canapés . We were then invited into the family kitchen and once we were seated, Grainne (see picture right) demonstrated each dish with an enviable ease of style and good humour. We watched, fascinated, as Pain Noix de Campagne (country style walnut bread ) went into the oven, Bouillabaisse ( Fish stew ) simmered on the stove and Terrine de Campagne ( Country pate ) and Tarte au Citron (lemon tart) were prepared for later. During her demonstration she spoke of the importance of shopping locally, if we can, from the farm gate or farmer’s markets or the local butcher, and using foods that are fresh and seasonal.

Demonstration complete, we were invited back into the lounge to resume our interesting conversations and await the final treat.

To the aroma of freshly cooked food, Grainne led the way back to the kitchen where we were greeted by steaming bowls of bouillabaisse and the country pate delicately arranged on large white plates and helped ourselves to the delicious ,warm, pain noix de campagne. A complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice was offered to the assembled group.

(See Grainne with guests, left)
As the daughter of Grace Mulligan, the presenter of ITVs longest running cookery series Farmhouse Kitchen, Grainne has been trained all her life in the importance of good food and good cooking which has always been her passion. Grace is consultant in charge at Woodend and always available at the end of the phone for advice. Grainne calls herself a cook rather than a chef, and admits making mistakes, like the rest of us. At one point she scattered a bowl of walnuts on the floor, but the knack is putting it right in front of everybody, and her friend, Hilary, was on hand to help at such crucial moments.
At the end of the evening we were given recipe sheets, written by Grainne, to take away. The ingredients are to be found easily and the methods straight forward. She gives you the confidence to recreate her dishes and I can vouch for the walnut bread, having made it the following day. Be warned, as it can easily feed ten, but doesn’t last long, even for two.