In response to the increasing popularity of 'grow your own' fruit and vegetables, West Dean College, is for the first time, offering a new range of one-day food courses. Food at West Dean will include a mixture of talks, demonstrations, feasting and opportunities to learn from leading food writers and chefs.  The emphasis is very much on embracing local seasonal foods and the joys of growing and cooking your own produce.

This new and exciting range of food courses has been brought together by Mike Imms and Rosemary Moon, the brains behind Extra Helpings, a consultancy designed to make good business out of good food.

Full details of all the food courses can be found on www.westdean.org.uk - they include Gluttony! Binge now and save some for later – asparagus, broad beans and strawberries – on 5 June 2010. Suitable for all the event is £105 and Fish – knife skills and simple cooking for beginners on 23 July (£155).

West Dean’s highly renowned garden courses will be running again through 2010. They range from one-day lectures or courses to a week-long summer school. Exciting new subjects on offer for this summer include: Creative Container Gardening, Care of summer flowering shurbs and roses and Getting the best out of your allotment.

Booking for courses is essential – full details of times, dates and costs can be obtained by logging onto www.westdean.org.uk