Our Coronavirus Health Protection Protocol
We have always taken the health and safety of our guests very seriously at Ricky M Cooks, combining all the standards required in both a professional kitchen and a restaurant at the same time. Now we have taken further safeguards in line with current local directives to respond to the current stage of the coronavirus situation:
We have reduced the number of guests in all locations where we hold classes to a number where safe spacing can be ensured
Individual guests who are not part of a family household or cluster/pod will be seated at individual workstations. Family groups and other clusters/pods will be seated together. All workstations/tables will be safely distanced.
The main workbench will be distanced from the workstations/tables. At present it is not possible to stand at the main demonstration bench to view the activities; but our locations are relatively small and guests will be able to see everything easily.
The classes are generally as much a show as a classroom lesson and guest participation has never been obligatory and not a major feature of the session (though there is always some practice in chopping, kneading and rolling pastry etc). Guests will still continue to do some practical work, but the food prepared from these activities will be for each individual table/workstation to take away with them. Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of food prepared to sample and enjoy in the class.
Chopping boards, utensils, crockery and cutlery will be used on one workstation only and cannot be shared with another station. All equipment and work benches are thoroughly washed and cleaned with hygiene cleaner before and after each session.
We cannot share large platters of food between us buffet style, so when we present dishes on a large serving platter they will then be served up in smaller tapas dishes (which we largely do anyway).
Face masks have to be worn in the same way that they are worn when visiting a bar/restaurant here. In other words when you are not eating or drinking they should be worn. As host the same applies to Ricky M! As we spend much of the time eating and drinking (and in Ricky’s case tasting) you should not have to wear them too much.
Furthermore, because we cannot currently undertake market tours as a group a new feature has been added to the classes throughout the show. In addition to breakfast (morning classes) and in addition to eating the items we produce we’ll also be offering samples of food and drink…maybe cheeses, hams, fruits, sausages; the ingredients that we would normally see and sometimes sample in the market. So you can envisage that there will be even more eating and drinking during the class.
Hand washing facilities are available and it is obligatory to wash hands on arrival; hand cleansers are available throughout the class for your use. Aprons are provided and are laundered after each class as normal.
Lastly, it goes without saying that if you have been feeling unwell on the day before a class, please don’t show-up. We have a generous cancellation policy of free cancellation 24hrs before the start of a class; until further notice we are pleased to extend this offer to 18 hours before a class starts for guests who suspect they might have COVID-19 symptoms.