The Staff Canteen

Great British Menu star James Durrant has launched James’ Kitchen Table, a new cookery school with a chef’s table and private dining facility, at the Plough Inn in the Test Valley in Hampshire.

The new school aims to offer a wide range of friendly and informal cookery classes to small groups of domestic cooks of all abilities, featuring demonstrations and hands-on exercises where students will be taught to cook and present dishes based on a range of recipes prepared by James. The classes are designed to help students develop an awareness of what can be achieved

Close Message - I might contribute in the future

I love what you do, let me contribute right now

in the average home kitchen, as well as to boost their shopping, cooking and presentational skills. Alongside this, the new facility features a chef’s table, where groups of up to ten can watch James as he personally cooks an evening dinner party for them. The Plough Inn in Hampshire is currently ranked fourth in the Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK.

James Durrant is its chef-patron and a food tourism ambassador for Visit Hampshire, highlighting his commitment to Hampshire-produced ingredients and suppliers and his efforts to boost tourism in the county.

Small Contribution. Big Impact.

The Staff Canteen has always been more than a website—it’s a community, built by and for hospitality. We share the wins, the challenges, the graft, and the inspiration that keeps kitchens alive.

We believe in staying open to everyone, but creating this content takes real resources. If you’ve ever found value here—whether it’s a recipe, an interview, or a laugh when you needed it most—consider giving just £3 to keep it going.

A little from you keeps this space free for all. Let’s keep lifting the industry, together.