2 days ago
Ayrshire revealed as contender for new Raymond Blanc cooking or gardening school
Raymond Blanc, an ambassador for The King's Foundation, is hopeful he can work with the charity to create new cooking and gardening schools.
Ayrshire is a contender to host a new cooking and gardening school run by Michelin star chef Raymond Blanc.
In an exclusive interview with Ayrshire Live, the celebrity chef confirmed that he was "looking at the idea" of founding the learning establishments.
Raymond hopes that he can work with The King's Foundation, a charity for which he is an ambassador, to create the new schools and Dumfries House near Cumnock could become home to one of the schools.
The French chef already runs cooking and gardening schools at his Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons restaurant in Oxfordshire and he is looking to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.
Speaking to Ayrshire Live, Raymond said: "I am looking at the idea of creating a Raymond Blanc Cooking School - and a gardening school as well - as part of The King's Foundation.
"We don't know where it will be as there is still some way to go. I'm not promising anything.
"I have had a gardening school for the last seven years and it is marvellous. My chefs go into it so they learn to respect the skills of the gardeners and you win all the way.
"To me, training is everything. Passing on your knowledge is the most important thing that a human being can do. That is what my mum, my papa and my culture taught me and that is what I will do.
"There is much more knowledge so we can grow things better but with less chemicals. We all know, it is very well proven, food is responsible for about 70 per cent of diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.
"That is what it does if you don't exercise and you eat badly. I understand people because there is no money so we have to teach people how to cook.
"For me, it is easy but not for them. I hope [we can open a school] but we will see how it goes."
Raymond was in Ayrshire on Tuesday, June 10, speaking to school pupils at The King's Foundation's Hospitality Careers Fair at Dumfries House.
He became an ambassador for the foundation in March 2025 as he shares many of the same values as King Charles III.
Raymond added: "I know King Charles is doing exactly the same [passing on knowledge], not on a micro level but a macro level and that is why I am here as an ambassador.
"The King, through his foundation, is teaching so many crafts whether it is carpentry, science, cooking, gardening or sustainability especially at Dumfries House which is the heart of it all.
"It is marvellous as it has a huge impact on community and world wide. He has played a huge role of making people aware.
"With global warming and all the issues it causes, it is going to become more and more important."
