CELEBRITY chefs could teach residents how to rustle up gourmet dishes at a new cookery school in York city centre.

Splendid Hospitality Group, which runs the Grand Hotel, has applied for planning permission to create the centre at Roman House on Rougier Street as part of the multi-million pound development of the site.

The "immersive" cookery school will feature a demonstration area in front of four fully-equipped workstation benches, an open plan kitchen and teaching rooms.

Stuart Bailey, chief executive of Splendid Hospitality Group, said: “After exploring several options the development of a cookery school was voted unanimously as the right choice to complete The Grand’s magnificent development and reputation for culinary excellence.

"York has become the region’s foodie destination and we have some incredible talent lined up to teach and entertain.”

The company said masterclasses will be led by celebrity chefs, although no names have been revealed yet.

But the Grand Hotel's own award-winning executive chef Craig Atchinson and Paul Bates, executive chef at the Hilton London Bankside, will lead the project.

A spokesman for the group said the school will be the perfect place for passionate foodies to hone their kitchen skills.

A cafe is planned for the neighbouring unit and the cookery school would employ five full-time members of staff.

And the workstations inside the school will look out onto a small landscaped courtyard, where guests can enjoy some fresh air during breaks.

Planning documents say: "It is considered that the proposed use will have a positive impact on the city centre in adding vitality to the area by providing a viable use of the ground floor of Roman House."

If planning approval is granted, work will start on the cookery school in October and it would open next year.

The project is one of the final stages of the Grand Hotel's £15 million expansion and refurbishment scheme, which includes 100 new luxury bedrooms and two restaurants, The Rise and Hudsons by Craig Atchinson.