Meet the Experts – Juanita Hennessey

Calling all Masterchef fans! We’re delighted to be hosting our very first Masterchef Masterclass in June, with 2016 finalist Juanita Hennessey. In her one-day masterclass on the 16th of June, Juanita will combine practical demonstrations and hands-on cooking with the fresh, seasonal ingredients she loves, to help you recreate some of her favourite recipes in your own kitchens.

Juanita sent in her Masterchef application on a whim after a tough day at work, with no idea it was about to completely change her life. Throughout the series, she wowed the judges with her fabulously fresh and seasonal cookery, often showcasing brilliant British game in particular – so we were already big fans, and knew we’d have to reach out and see if she fancied a visit to Vale House Kitchen.

She now works in food full-time and is an important advocate for British game, working as an ambassador for Taste of Game, offering private dining, recipe development and supper clubs through The Game Girl, and sharing fabulously delicious recipes and tips on her website, fosburyfoodie.co.uk. She’s on a mission to make game more accessible and bring it to dinner tables all over the country – not just because it’s delicious, low in fat and high in protein and nutrients, but also because it’s free-range and higher-welfare.

At Vale House Kitchen, we offer a whole range of game courses, from hunting to butchery, preparation and cookery, so we often chat to people who are intimidated by game, or find the idea of catching and killing your own meat a bit difficult. But learning to prepare it is simple with a bit of practice and a few good tips, and as far as the ethics are concerned – as Juanita herself says, if you’re going to eat meat, it’s your responsibility to make sure the animals have lived a good life first. What better way to do that than learning how to prepare wild, free-range food?
If you’re interested in learning more about shooting (both clays and live shoots) or game butchery, we’ve got plenty of courses on offer – but for a more gentle introduction, combining fabulous fresh game with lots more gorgeous seasonal ingredients, you’ll love our Masterchef Masterclass. Not only are Juanita’s recipes mouth-watering, but she’s absolutely lovely, so it’s sure to be a wonderful day – book now and join us for some foodie fun!