Glasgow restaurant will allow diners to cook their own meals

A Glasgow couple have announced plans to open what they claim will be the UK’s first “cooking club” and restaurant next month.

The venture, called Cookie, will incorporate a restaurant, bar, deli and shop as well as the cooking club, which will allow members to rent the entire facility out to cook for themselves, under the supervision of chef Iain Walker.

Cookie members will also be allowed supervised access to the restaurant’s communal oven to bake their bread and cakes, as well as professional equipment to make their own ice cream and roaster to roast their own coffee.

The husband and wife team behind Cookie, Domenico del Priore and Melanie McCallum, said the venture will support healthy eating, responsible drinking and community education.

“Contrary to the impression given by some recent press reports, it is not our intention to allow all-comers to cook or use our kitchen facilities,” McCallum said.

“Rather, we are launching a cooking club, supported and promoted by current UK health policy, whereby people who wish to gain access to our kitchen will go through an induction process and be supported and controlled in their usage.

“We have a keen and active interest in public health issues which extends to promoting good practice in cooking techniques. Indeed, this is a fundamental aim of our open kitchen,” she added.

In addition to offering a restaurant, deli and shop, Cookie will operate as a club, bar, off licence and a food and wine importer, as well as a gallery promoting design and art.

Jamie Oliver launched a similar restaurant earlier this year, called Recipease, where customers prepare food under the supervision of professional chefs, although they cannot hire out the entire venue.

Scottish restaurant will encourage diners to cook their own meals >> 

Jamie Oliver to launch DIY food stores across the UK >> 

Jamie Oliver to open second Recipease in Brighton >> 

Thierry Laborde, owner, The Kitchen - Minute on the Clock >> 

By Daniel Thomas

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