River Cottage first online accredited cookery course

Our River Cottage online cooking classes are now accredited by the Independent Cookery Schools Association (ICSA) and for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.

This is a first for the culinary industry and means that Learning with Experts' students can uniquely access the flexibility of online cookery courses taught by experts alongside industry and professional recognition.

What is the Independent Cookery Schools Association?

The Independent Cookery Schools Association (ICSA) recognises and celebrates excellence in cookery school teaching standards.

ICSA accreditation is a mark of trust and quality which gives you complete assurance that the cookery school (online or physical) you’ve chosen is operating to the highest standards of training.

River Cottage's physical cookery school based in Dorset was recently recognised as an ICSA 'Centre of Excellence'.

River Cottage's online cooking courses are the first online cooking school to be accredited by the ICSA.

James Day, Director of Operations at ICSA, said: “River Cottage Cookery School was awarded our onsite accreditation last year, scoring full marks. Being awarded one of our ‘Centres of Excellence’, sampling their online content, delivered by Learning with Experts, was the next natural step.”

“Our team rigorously watched and tested the extensive course range; the teaching quality was exceptional, and the courses delivered transferrable culinary skills for both domestic cooks and aspiring career chefs. We’re delighted to provide teaching accreditation to River Cottage as our very first ‘ICSA Online Teaching Academy’ in partnership with CPD for their course content accreditation.”

River Cottage Diploma

The River Cottage Cooking Diploma teaches you how to source food and cook in a sustainable and healthy way - with kitchen skills taught by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the River Cottage team.

The complete set of courses can be bought as a 'Diploma' or you can join each course individually - many of our students have loved challenging their cooking skills by taking on the whole diploma and developing new skills.

Courses include Hugh's famous Much More Veg course, Sourdough taught by River Cottage's baker Andy Tyrrell, Gluten-free Cooking with nutritionist Naomi Devlin, Fish & Shellfish taught by Executive Chef Gelf Alderson, Fermenting taught by Rachel de Thample and River Cottage on Fire taught by Gill Meller.

River Cottage Next Level Diploma

River Cottage Cooking Diploma: Next Level takes your cooking experience and skills to new heights, with 12 new courses to develop your cooking and kitchen principles of using ethical, seasonal and local ingredients combined with cooking for health.

The Next Level Diploma can be completed independently of the first Diploma, but does build on some of the knowledge learnt - including Hugh's Next Level Much More Veg, Rachel de Thample's Fermentation, Gill's Wood-fired cooking and Andy's Bread Making.

You'll also have the chance to learn from new experts including award-winning cheese maker Marcus Fergusson, River Cottage Head chef Steven Kiernan teaching pasta making.

What is Continuing Professional Development?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a recognition of the hours you have spent learning a topic. Many members of professional bodies (including finance and law) have to complete a certain number of CPD hours per year to retain their licence or qualification.

While the culinary and hospitality professional bodies don't always require members to collect annual CPD hours, they're a great way to demonstrate your experience, skills and commitment to ongoing learning, and help your CV stand out.

All of Learning with Experts' Expert level cookery courses include CPD hours (you can find the details of the CPD hours included on the course description).

Ready to start learning new cooking skills with River Cottage?

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The River Cottage Cooking Diploma

Collection of 12 courses

The River Cottage Cooking Diploma

River Cottage cookery courses online. Join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at River Cottage for culinary training in your own home.

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