Celebrity food writer Sophie Grigson to open Cook Academy during Alresford Watercress Festival

Food writer and TV chef Sophie Grigson will be cutting the ribbon to officially open Cook Academy, the Alresford cookery school, during the Watercress Festival on Sunday 15th May at 3pm.

Sophie is the best-selling author of a wide range of inspirational cookery books. She is renowned for her approachable style and a love of fresh, exciting ingredients that combine to create easy classics.

Hampshire Fare member Cook Academy has recently moved into new premises at The Station Mill, alongside the town’s heritage Watercress Line. The high quality bespoke kitchens have been designed to meet the needs of the huge range of cookery workshops, evening class courses, private lessons, cookery parties and corporate team building workshops.

“It’s a great honour that Sophie has kindly agreed to perform our grand opening,” says Kate Hughes, director and founder of Cook Academy. “Sophie’s ethos of easy, delicious cooking is one that we have always encouraged in our cookery school. We’re very grateful for her support.”

Alresford will be a hive of activity on Sunday 15th May, when the town hosts its own food and drink festival to honour its heritage of watercress production.

At the Festival’s Cookery Demo Unit in Broad Street, Kate will demonstrate mouth-watering recipes. Kate will be on stage at 1pm, directly after Sophie Grigson shares some of her culinary expertise from midday. Other Hampshire Fare cookery demonstrators on the day include Lainston House Executive Chef Andy Mackenzie, home economist Davina Tibbetts and watercress guru, Jennifer Laing of Cressson Creative.

Throughout the day, the Cook Academy team will also be running demonstrations and workshops for all ages at the cookery school in Station Mill, using local produce.

The free Watercress Festival is on Sunday May 15th 10am-4pm. For the full programme of events and attractions,