Two men wearing aprons and casual shirts, smiling and looking at a smartphone, surrounded by kitchen items like a bottle, a glass, and a bowl, in a sketch style.
Cover of a cookbook titled 'The Fundamentals of Cookery: A Foundation Cookbook' by Winchester Cookery School, featuring a photo of a plate of pasta with mushrooms, eggs, butter, cheese, herbs, and ingredients like eggs, butter, cheese, onion, herbs, and a glass of beer or cider on the side.
The Fundamentals of Cookery - E-book PDF
The Fundamentals of Cookery - E-book PDF
£9.50
Black and white logo for Winchester Cookery School featuring a frying pan with a handle and the text 'WINCHESTER COOKERY SCHOOL' beneath it.

Foundations of Cookery (E-Book)

If you’ve ever felt unsure in the kitchen, you’re not alone — and you’re exactly who this book is for.

Foundations of Cookery is a practical, confidence-building e-book made up of 25 clear chapters that teach you the core methods, the “why” behind good cooking, and the essential skills that make everything else easier. It’s designed to help you feel safe, supported, and in control — step by step.

Here’s what’s inside the 25 chapters:

You’ll start with the foundations and classic building blocks:

  • A Guide to the Foundations of Cookery

  • Stocks and Sauces

  • Roux and Bechamel

  • Hollandaise and Its Derivatives

Then you’ll learn how flavour is built — the real reasons dishes taste “restaurant good”:

  • Why We Cook Onions First: The Flavor Base

  • The Role of Garlic in Cooking

  • The Importance of Flour in Thickening

  • Using Tomato Puree: When and Why

You’ll cover essential protein skills and reliable cooking methods:

  • Breaking Down a Chicken Step by Step

  • How to Fillet a Fish with Ease

  • Four Ways to Cook Fish: Grill, Fry, Oven, Poach

And everyday fundamentals that level up everything you cook:

  • Perfecting a Simple Vinaigrette

  • Knife Skills 101: Chopping, Dicing, and Mincing

  • Basic Bread: Understanding Dough and Proofing

  • Pasta From Scratch: The Fundamentals

  • Mastering Risotto: Stirring to Perfection

  • Sautéing and Pan-Frying Basics

  • The Magic of Slow Cooking: One-Pot Wonders

  • Roasting Vegetables: Bringing Out Natural Sweetness

  • Braising Meats for Tender Results

  • Eggs: From Scramble to Poach

  • Simple Desserts: Custards and Puddings

  • Plating and Presentation: Making It Look Good

  • Seasoning Like a Pro: Balancing Flavors

  • Your Essential Kitchen Tools: What You Really Need

Important: This is a digital e-book (not a printed hard copy). After purchase, you’ll receive an email confirmation and access to download it so you can start straight away.

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If you want a solid foundation you can come back to again and again — this is the book that gives you it.