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Food preparation at Harmony House

 

Food preparation at Harmony House

Hilary Finney at Harmony House

About us and what our students have to say!

Harmony House Cookery School is based in Stillingfleet 5 miles south of York in North Yorkshire and is centrally based for easy reach from most parts of the UK.  Harmony House once the village post office looks across the village green in this pretty North Yorkshire village.

Hilary Finney directs Food solutions York which hosts Harmony House Cookery School in the UK. Food Solutions provides a range of cooking and catering services.
Hilary holds a Diploma from the Cordon Bleu School of Cookery in London, professional qualifications from The Hotel, Catering & Institutional Management Association, Intermediate Certificate in food hygiene from the Royal Institute of Public Health & hygiene, and a City & Guilds certificate in teaching adult education. Hilary is a member of the Royal society for Public Health (MRSPH)

Hilary started her career at the Holbeck Hall Hotel in Scarborough as 3rd chef. Following this she was employed by Bateman now Compass Catering, cooking for the directors dining rooms of large companies in the City of London. In addition she managed the catering for staff restaurants and hospitality suites for companies in London then the North of England

Food Solutions was founded in 1986 under the name of Blue Ribbon and was privileged to provide hospitality for Defra, BMW, York University & Innovations Centre, British Sugar, NHS, Dyslexia Institute, IOD, YPI, CLA, NFU, Barclays and Yorkshire banks amongst others.

Hilary has been honoured to manage and provide catering for events at York Art Gallery, Hovingham Hall, Burton Agnes Hall, Everingham Hall, Mulgrave Castle, York Minster, Selby Abbey, Food Solutions also provided catering for Yorkshire Gents Cricket Club, and York Medical Society. During this time Hilary cooked for the Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Norfolk, David Frost, Clarissa Dixon Wright and many more famous personalities.

After 15 years, Hilary continues to cook for the Duke of Norfolk’s family, Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard at Carlton Towers for their weekend and holiday entertaining, She has also spent many years teaching adult education courses and also tutoring students through City & Guilds 706/1 at Selby College.

Hilary launched Harmony House Cookery School in 2007 to share her passion for creating simply prepared dishes using fresh locally produced ingredients. The intention was to give individuals with little or no confidence the chance to learn a skill which has not been recently taught in schools.

Hilary is determined to show individuals that producing tasty quality food need not be difficult and does not need long fancy recipes with bizarre ingredients and combinations so loved by some of our celebrity chefs.

Harmony House Cookery School gives people the chance to not only learn, but to see Hilary demonstrate some of her favourite dishes. Alternatively Hilary is happy to demonstrate her ideas and share hints and tips at your own venue.
 
 

Do you have a food lover or aspiring chef in your family? Would you like to give someone you love a special and original gift?
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Ring 07889 808749

Radio York
Thanks for your contribution last week, it was one of the best cookery slots we've done, the listeners loved it. we've sent out 50 of your recipe sheets. Radio York



Day courses
Thank you for a lovely day today, I loved my fishcakes so I will definately try to make them at home this week. Thank you too to your 'Duke of Edinburgh' assistant, he was a fantastic young man and a
great help to me today. I am very much looking forward to coming again on 21 March.
Very best wishes Elisabeth

Thank you for a very enjoyable introduction to cooking. Hope to return again soon.
Regards Mark

Hello Hilary
On behalf of myself and Sophie I just wanted to say thank you so much for welcoming us so warmly into your beautiful home. We really enjoyed our visit and the workshop. We managed to get our results home in one piece and have had generous helpings of both of them - delicious! Thanks again for looking after us so well. (day course with an overnight stay)
Regards Julie

What a delightful day yesterday. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.Thank you also for the 'meal in minutes' recipes. We are going to practise our skills at home and then probably come back (if you will have us!) in the Spring.

Julie Carr posted on Harmony House Cookery School's Facebook timeline Many thanks for a fun filled few hours baking at this morning's Bonfire Treats session. The girls really enjoyed it. Harmony House is such a lovely place in which to learn. Will definitely be looking to book again. Cheers.x"

Just a little note to say thank you for care on Wednesday night. Myself and Rod coul;dnt have been cared for any better and your hospitality was second to none. We completed the walk on time and I,m sure your help assisted us in that cause. Once again thank you so much and we would have no hesitation recommending you to anyone Kind regards Ian
Rather belatedly, a small message to say how much Shahin and I enjoyed our course with you on 31 March. The other participants were delightful company and the food and teaching etc were all excellent.
I have mentioned to my daughter the possibility of a summer course for my grandaughter's birthday, and she is very enthusiastic. She feels however that as its rather an expensive option it might be better for us to give it as a Christmas present, and that way the 4 or 5 other girls are likely to do the same. They could all then come together in the early part of 2013 at your and their convenience. She is debating the possibility of also sending her husband at some time!
We'll be in touch!! With kindest regards and many thanks, Joan F

Sue Mattiocco posted on Harmony House Cookery School's Wall "Great day today at Harmony House Cookery School. Lots of fun and tasty food. Thank you Hilary and my fellow cooks :-)"Day course from website

Derek Dryden posted on Harmony House Cookery School's Wall "Have just spent a lovely 4 hours with Hilary learning all about one of my very favourite topics......cakes :-) There were 5 of us on this course, so the help and personal attention was excellent.
The variety of items we baked was very impressive and you get to share with others, so you can taste stuff they bake too !
Had a very relaxed time at a fantastic location (looks like a wonderful place to stay too) and learnt so much.....despite the video on the website, you don't have to be over 50 to go (even though I am), the way the course is positioned makes this a great way to learn how to improve your skills in the kitchen.
Hilary is a great lady: very patient and extremely knowledgeable and friendly.....I highly recommend Harmony House to those who would like to treat themselves or their loved ones :-)"

We had a SUPER day at Harmony House!...A wonderful inspiring day which has left both Tracey & I desperate for more! We have both turned into complete domestic goddesses! I'm certain that we will be visiting you again at some time in the future! special day Once again, thank you for e-mailing the biscuit recipe and also for a fabulous day!...We thoroughly enjoyed the entire occasion! With best wishes

Thank you for the recipes, and for a very fun afternoon. Everyone really enjoyed it, especially Claire, and we all loved the food we got to take away. Kind Regards, Zoe

We thoroughly enjoyed the fish course last week and are looking forward to doing another with you soon. I was hoping that there was a place on the pasta paradise on 26th June and if so, that you could do fish/vegetarian dishes on that day? Lynda M

Special Days
Thank you for a wonderful day last Tuesday. I had a fabulous time and I know that the boys both really enjoyed it too. We all came home feel full, tired but having learnt how to do dishes we wouldn't normally tackle. Everyone enjoyed the food we took home and I now have my bread mix and pasta flour waiting on the side to be used. I look forward to making that amazing chocolate mousse and trying not to lick the spoon too often!! Thank you again for all your help in giving us a day we shall remember for a long time. Regards Chris 4/02/12

Just to say thank you for such an enjoyable morning. I will definitely consider getting a group of my daughter's friends together, to attend one of your workshops, before she leaves school next year. With thanks to Jill (?) too. Jane B


Wendy & I loved our day with you, it was even better than I imagined, we did so much & enjoyed tasting all the things we had cooked.We would both like to come again & will be telling our friends too.
Thank you Helen

Just wanted to say a big thank you for Friday. The girls had a marvellous time and really enjoyed themselves. Many thanks,Fiona


I just wanted to thank you again for being so accommodating with us last Saturday, it really made a difference as there are so many foods I tend to avoid! We had a lovely relaxed day which was exactly the reason for planning it.
Please will you email me the recipes for the ravioli sauce & fish cakes & any other 'useful' sauces that omit cream & are quick to prepare...... Thanks again & I wish you all the best with the business.


I have been meaning to email you all week. We all thoroughly enjoyed our day with you even the 2 who were anxious beforehand! It was so much fun as well as educational! I have forwarded you a couple of photos. The rest of the weekend was great too and as you said, we laughed a lot. The cottage in Staithes was really lovely - right on the harbour front so a fabulous view from both kitchen and living room! Back to normality now but we have decided we can't wait until the next 50th ( in 2013) we will have to have an annual "girls weekend away"! Thank you for the recipes , I will forward them on.
Best wishes to you and again many thanks for making our day so special.Helen

Thank you for the receipes from Thursday evening, I have duly forwarded them to the girls. We all enjoyed ourselves at Harmony House and hope we didn't outstay our welcome, or make to much noise!! Gill.

Firstly thank you for yesterdsay. I had a really good day and enjoyed it very much, as well as learning something!

Hi Hilary, Thank you for the recipes, and for a very fun afternoon. Everyone really enjoyed it, especially Claire, and we all loved the food we got to take away. Kind Regards, Zoe
 

Team Building and Corporate fun days
I was fortunate enough today to be a guest of DWF at Harmony House today and had a wonderfully enjoyable time in beautiful relaxed surroundings.
Thank you so much for your patient, down to earth tuition and encouragement. I’ve told my husband he need look no further for my Christmas present so I’ll definitely be back and am just debating which course to sign up for first! Best wishes Tracey

We are off to Spain for a week next week so I shall find some exotic dishes to replicate at home...I thoroughly enjoyed the cookery lesson, and will definitely try and re-create the recipes we made that morning.
I've always wanted to know something simple as how to get the samosa shape, and now I can!  PS - Your pre-made meringue for the roulated was exquisite!

Thank you very much for sending the attached recipes through. Would it be possible to send the one pager we used for actually making the cup cakes? Thank you again for such a fantastic day. All three of us really enjoyed it and have received glowing reviews from friends and family on our creations. Georgina

Also thank you so much for a fantastic day. We have done various different things on our “team building” days out but I have to say that last Thursday is definitely one of my favourites. I’m looking forward to trying out a few of the recipes at home.
Clare

My staff had the most enjoyable day and are continuing to share ideas and recipes with everyone in the team.

Children's cookery
Thanks for the recipes, and for a really good day. We all enjoyed ourselves and Sue and Sally have both had huge success with the roulades since. I’ve promised to do the profiteroles for granny’s birthday on Sunday and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will work just as well when I’m left to my own devices!
It was very enjoyable and I liked baking the palmiers. The chocolate chip cookies were the best! A. (Children's cookery)

Residential Weekends
Thank you very much for a wonderful weekend. The company and hospitality was fantastic. Everyone got on really well – It was great just to have time to sit and chat for a change, instead of rushing around etc.
Steve enjoyed himself so much and has learnt loads.  He has put his new found skills to use already! I will certainly be recommending your Cookery School – especially the weekends - to everyone.
Thank you once again, Artie and Steve

Thanks again for last weekend - it was great. Lot of chatting and laughing and opened up a new world to me. David Tebb
I managed to make chocolate profitteroles with a very yummy chocolate sauce, a Lizzie Special cheesecake - because I realised after i added the coffee to the cheesecake mix  that the only alcohol besides wine was a couple of tiny bottles of Baileys  - after i added those i thought i better add some chocolate to enhance the taste.  I also made a couple of loaves of bread  - not as succesful as i did not put enough filling in but still tasty!  This was all for Mother's Day and all very well received!
Thanks for the weekend Hilary - I really enjoyed the course and definitely want to come back!


Demonstrations
Just to say many thanks for last night. Jo and i really enjoyed it and are already thinking about more courses once you are fully recovered from your op!
 Tom my son has given the chocolate panna cottas a big thumbs up so think will be doing those again – and also the rest!! Anyway hope it all goes well and thanks again for an enjoyable and relaxing evening. Roz
Home Tuition

Thank you for your lesson on how to cook. You were an excellent teacher, it must be hard for you not to step and complete the preparation yourself. The guidance and information was given with my personal situation in mind. WELL DONE
The dinner that you taught me to prepare was absolutely wonderful. I was praising your skill to the staff in the doctor’s surgery today, and to let them know how my first roast dinner worked out.
My confidence was boosted by your tuition; so much so that I am now viewing recopies for next roast meal. Thank you again for your patience and understanding. God Bless Bob

Hen day
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for Saturday – we all had a wonderful time and the cupcakes were amazing!
We were all really impressed with the setup and thoroughly enjoyed our time (which went so quick). Lots of us have already said we would like to come back to do more classes and we will definitely be recommending Harmony House to our friends! Thanks again! Alice
Hen day canapés and chocolates

Just a quick note to say thank you for a lovely, fun session on Saturday. It was a great way to get to know people and we all learnt something no matter how experienced or inexperienced at cooking we were.
The whole weekend worked out beautifully for me and everyone has sent some lovely text messages saying how much they enjoyed it all.
If you mail me the recipes, I will forward them on. I think the xmas pud truffle recipe and the French 75 cocktail will be the most used going forward!!
Thanks once again, Julia
 

Home tuition
Thankyou for your kind words and understanding during this difficult time. There is nothing anyone can do or say really, though everyone has been very supportive. I am looking forward to our next meeting ........... Just spending those 6 hours with you so far has been life changing and Mark can barely remember the last time he cooked!
...............................I am still really enjoying cooking, its a shame my dad never got to sample any of my fantastic dishes, he would have loved the Thai curry! Clare
 

Thank you for your lesson on how to cook.
You were an excellent teacher, it must be hard for you not to step and complete the preparation yourself. The guidance and information was given with my personal situation in mind. WELL DONE

The dinner that you taught me to prepare was absolutely wonderful. I was praising your skill to the staff in the doctor’s surgery today, and to let them know how my first roast dinner worked out. My confidence was boosted by your tuition; so much so that I am now viewing recopies for next roast meal. Thank you again for your patience and understanding. God Bless Bob
 

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Harmony House, The Green, Stillingfleet, York YO19 6SH
Email: hilary@harmonyhousecookeryschool.co.uk Copyright © Harmony House Cookery School