cookery school

A FANTASTIC FOODIE
BREAK FOR TWO IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

Lucy Nicholson is a dynamic 50-something businesswoman whose food empire dominates the pretty town of Ambleside in the Eastern Lakes.

She left Fulham in the Eighties to marry a Cumbrian, Brian, and in between raising their four daughters, now aged 16 to 23, has set up seven local businesses. "There were no good foodie shops in the Lake District then so it was a risk," says Lucy. "But as TV chefs like Delia Smith and Keith Floyd appeared everyone became more aware of cooking which helped me."

Nicholson later added LucyBytes Cafe, Lucy4 wine bar, two restaurants and outside catering to her achievements.

Lucy says: "There is a huge influx of tourists but this is a very strong community too. I love Euston being only three hours away so my sister can be up here after work on Friday in time for dinner."

Her latest enterprise, set up in 2006, is LucyCooks, a purpose-built cookery school near Kendal that can teach up to 28 students on one or two day courses. "I am passionate about good food and the school is aimed at passing on that passion," says Lucy.

LucyCooks is offering one Homes & Property reader a place for them and a friend at the cookery school on a course of their choice. Also included is two nights' accommodation in a cottage owned by Lucy in Ambleside (01539 432288; www.lucysofambleside.co.uk).

HOW TO ENTER
Text HP LUCY, followed by your email address, to 65400 (eg: HP LUCY suesmith@email_com). Or call 0901 010 0434 and leave your details. Or visit www.homesandproperty.co.uk/offers.

Prize terms and conditions: Competition closes at 23:59 on 06/11/09. Texts cost 50p plus your standard network charge. Calls cost 50p from a BT landline. Other networks and mobiles may vary. If you call after the closing date, you will not be entered but may still be charged. LucyCooks agrees to provide a full day cookery course for two people and two nights' accommodation in Ambleside to be given away as a competition prize in the Evening Standard. The course can be selected from the LucyCooks course schedule subject to availability, excluding 19 December, 2009 - January 2,2010 and must be booked and taken before February 28, 2010.

Article published in the Evening Standard, Homes and Property.