The Social Enterprise Leeds Cookery School to Close After Eight Years, Effective 31st July 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Leeds Cookery School, a social enterprise for Leeds charity, Zest Leeds, with operations ceasing immediately on 31st July 2025.
Since launching in 2017, Leeds Cookery School has offered high-quality, hands-on culinary experiences for individuals, families, and corporate teams. But it was always about more than great food. The school was founded with the mission to generate alternative revenue for the charity Zest, with 100% of profits gifted back to support its vision rooted in creating meaningful and lasting change. In doing so, it has helped improve the lives of thousands of Leeds residents.

Like many small social enterprises, the Leeds Cookery School has faced increasing financial pressures in recent years – rent, energy, food prices. Despite the dedication of our staff and the continued loyalty of our customers, rising operational costs and a challenging economic environment have made it no longer viable. The difficult decision has now been taken to enter insolvent liquidation.

Leeds Cookery School will be unable to fulfil any outstanding orders. No new orders will be processed and all future classes are cancelled with immediate effect. Leeds Cookery School are unable to fulfil any outstanding orders, issue refunds or accept new bookings.

Leeds Cookery School will now immediately move to appoint a liquidator who will administer the insolvent liquidation process. They will be contacting all creditors in due course providing more information. Some consumers may be able to seek refunds if services have been paid for by credit card, using the protections offered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

The closure of Leeds Cookery School is undeniably painful—but we are incredibly proud of what it helped make possible. We want to thank our wonderful staff, our volunteers, customers, funders, and partners who believed in the vision and helped turn it into reality.