Nick Nairn Cook School, Scotland

Nick Nairn is a regular on our TV screens – most often seen on BBC2’s Ready, Steady, Cook. But don’t let that put you off – he also runs a state-of-the-art cookery school in the heart of the Trossachs.

In fact, Nairn, in his day, was Scotland’s youngest ever chef to be awarded a Michelin star and got rave reviews for his restaurant with rooms (since closed, sadly). These days he prefers to concentrate on his cookery school in the Port of Monteith, about an hour's drive from Glasgow, and 40 minutes from Gleneagles (handy if you want a posh base).

And yes, he does conduct some classes himself – though you have to shell out more for these (from £320 per person for a day with Nick), but his fellow chefs have boasted Michelin stars of their own, including affable John Webber, who won a star first at Gidleigh Park in Devon, then again at Kinnaird House in Perthshire.

Nick Nairn Cook School, Port of Menteith, Stirling, Scotland, 01877 389 900, www.nicknairncookschool.com

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Ballymaloe, Ireland

OK, so Ballymaloe’s famous founder Myrtle Allen held a Michelin star a long time ago – but that isn’t what Ballymaloe is about these days. The focus here is on fresh, organic, (very) local ingredients presented simply and full of flavour.

There’s the original hotel and restaurant, dating back to the 1600s, where you can lay your head – and feed - in fine surroundings (+353 (0) 21 4652 531, www.ballymaloe.ie); and there’s the cookery school, run by Myrtle’s daughter-in-law, Darina Allen – arguably Ireland’s best known chef.

The school is situated in the middle of its own 100-acre organic farm and you can enrol for half-day courses, covering ground such as Canapés and Finger Food to Irresistible Breakfasts, to the full 12-week session. Prices start from €70 per person

Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry, Co. Cork, Ireland, +353 (0) 21 4646 785, www.cookingisfun.ie

Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, England

You’ll get kitchen envy at Le Manoir – guaranteed. Raymond Blanc’s sumptuous Oxfordshire hotel and restaurant – which boasts two Michelin stars, going on three, must be the smartest place in the country to learn to cook.

The busy cookery school has just had a facelift – with gleaming new Gaggenau ovens and Smallbone of Devizes cabinets. And get this – the courses, which range from one, two and four days, can accommodate the most cack-handed student. They’re surprisingly fun and you are likely to catch more than a glimpse of the big man himself as he can’t resist getting involved.

The teaching is down to one of a line-up of tutors, including the wonderfully named Nurdin Topham and Dan Degustibus. Subjects range from Fusion Cuisine to Blanc Vite, preparing a delicious dinner party in a hurry (that’s me, then), at £310 per person. Little tip: you have to eat what you cook for lunch – not always a good thing.

Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, England, +44 (0) 1844 278881, www.manoir.com

Alain Ducasse Cooking School, France

Where to start with brand Ducasse? The famous French chef boasted more Michelin stars than anybody in the world - until very recently (he was knocked off his perch by fellow Parisian super-chef Joël Robuchon) and has a restaurant empire that stretches from Mix in Las Vegas to Beige in Tokyo, and most recently in London at The Dorchester hotel.

There are country inns, cutting edge city eateries, and two restaurants with three Michelin stars each – Louis XV in Monaco and his restaurant at the Plaza Athénée in Paris. Want to cook like him? Well, he has a cookery school, too – a short bus ride away, for both professionals and the public, but he’s opening another one in Paris for consumers in May this year. And before you reach for your French dictionary – he offers classes in English alongside French.

“A professional knowledge adapted to a domestic environment’ – that’s what Planet Ducasse are calling it. Sounds good to me - especially the pastry making courses. Oh to make a tart like a French woman. Courses cost from €165 euros for a half day to €315 for a full day.

Alain Ducasse Formation, 41 Rue de l’Abbé Ruellan, 91500 Argenteuil, France, +33 (0)1 34 34 19 13, www.atelier-gastronomique.com

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