A DORSET cookery school has been voted Britain’s Favourite Small Cookery School 2014.

The White Pepper Cookery School near Bournemouth was voted for by the public.

The competition was part of the British Cookery School Awards, which celebrate the role that cookery schools play in driving Britain’s passion for cooking good, homemade food.

The top cookery schools were announced at the awards final which took place on Monday, November 17 in London, hosted by BBC Radio 2’s food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden. Cookery schools across the UK were encouraged to get their customers to nominate them for the award, sending in email and Twitter votes.

Head judge Nigel Barden said: “White Pepper Cookery School clearly has a strong fan base.

“Its former students and business partners clearly value White Pepper and the excellent cookery courses they provide.”

Luke Stuart, chef director, who runs the cookery school with his small team, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have received so much support. It is really great to see that despite being small we have made a big impression with a lot of people.”

Luke, who is pictured above receiving his award and right, in action at the Dolphin Shopping Centre with BBC South’s Reham Khan, said: “Thanks to everyone who voted for us and made the school Britain’s Favourite Small Cookery School 2014.”

White Pepper Cookery School was set up in 2010 and runs from a contemporary barn renovated from what was originally a bakery now welcomes more than 1,200 students per year.