Tante Marie facts for kids
Tante Marie Culinary Academy is a famous cookery school located in Woking, Surrey, England. It is the oldest independent cooking school in the United Kingdom. A talented cookery writer named Iris Syrett started it in 1954.
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What You Can Learn
Tante Marie Culinary Academy was the first school in the UK to offer a special cooking qualification called the Cordon Bleu Diploma. This diploma is a big part of what the school teaches.
Cooking Courses
The school offers many different cooking courses. You can take short workshops that last just one day, focusing on specific cooking skills. They also have a full-time, one-year professional Cordon Bleu Diploma. When you complete this, you also get a Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts. This is a real qualification created by Tante Marie with a group called the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality in 2010.
The School's Restaurant
Tante Marie Culinary Academy even has its own restaurant! Graduates from the school work there. They are also studying for a Level 5 Diploma in Culinary and Hospitality Management while they gain real-world experience in 'The Restaurant at Tante Marie'.
A Look at Its History
After Iris Syrett passed away in 1964, Wendy Majerowicz became the Principal. In 1967, the school moved to a new place called Woodham House.
New Owners and Growth
From 1982 to 1999, John and Beryl Childs owned the school. They helped it grow even more, adding new courses. The school became known worldwide for its excellent cooking training.
In 1999, one of the school's teachers, Marcella O'Donovan, bought the school with her family's help. They added new courses for people taking a gap year or for amateur cooks who just wanted to learn for fun. They also made sure the school kept its high standards for professional chefs.
Modern Changes
In April 2008, Andrew Maxwel, who was the Deputy Principal, bought the school. He teamed up with Gordon Ramsay Holdings and Lyndy Redding. Lyndy Redding is a former student of Tante Marie who now owns a successful catering business called Absolute Taste.
In May 2014, it was announced that the school would move to a new spot in Woking town centre. The new building, Alexander House, opened in early 2015. It has two floors dedicated to the cookery school, with a special training kitchen, student kitchens, and classrooms.
