A NEW cookery school in York got off to a sizzling start.

The Cooking Rooms, launched by Luke Norbury in the Eco Business Centre at Clifton Moor, proved its worth to the Lord Mayor of York, Coun John Galvin.

Mr Norbury aims to bring a love of cooking and a broad range of food and drink experiences to people of all ages and abilities. And for starters – plus main course and pudding – Nigel Brown, one of the local chefs and tutors, entertained the Lord Mayor and his wife with a series of cookery demonstrations, including a spectacular Christmas pudding cheesecake.

Local ingredients will be used wherever possible and The Cooking Rooms’ chefs will work with Yorkshire producers and the Deliciously Yorkshire organisation. Luke said: “I’m passionate about cooking and I hope that The Cooking Rooms will help other people develop their passion for food too.”