19th Feb
20th Feb
For two very special evenings, Truro School Cookery is delighted to welcome MasterChef Semi-Finalist Frankie Dunn to Cornwall for two exclusive events celebrating food, flavour and Frankie’s love of bringing people together around the table.
These are never-before-held events for our area, offering guests the rare opportunity to spend an evening with Frankie in person, either getting hands-on in the kitchen alongside her or sitting back and enjoying an intimate tasting menu created and cooked by Frankie herself.
Inspired by her three years living in Johannesburg, South Africa, Frankie’s food is vibrant, colourful and packed with flavour. Across the two evenings, guests will experience dishes influenced by her time in South Africa, alongside recipes and ideas inspired by her memorable appearance on BBC MasterChef earlier this year.
With places strictly limited, these intimate evenings promise a truly special experience.
An exclusive 3-hour South African cookery masterclass
7pm–10pm | £90 per person | Maximum 16 guests
Roll up your sleeves and join Frankie in our state-of-the-art cookery school for a very special hands-on evening of South African cooking.
With only 16 places available, this intimate masterclass gives you the opportunity to cook alongside Frankie, learning her techniques and creating your own versions of some of the dishes that have become synonymous with her MasterChef journey.
Frankie spent three years living and working in Johannesburg, and her time in South Africa has had a lasting influence on her cooking. During the evening, she’ll share the stories and inspiration behind her dishes while guiding you through each course.
On the menu
To begin
Smoked mackerel pâté on Melba toast, inspired by South Africa’s traditional snoek pâté.
Starter
Pampoenkookies — South African pumpkin fritters — served with a creamy spinach dip.
Main course
Frankie’s signature South African bobotie, served with fluffy geelrys (yellow rice) and spinach sauce.
This is the same combination of South African-inspired dishes that Frankie showcased on MasterChef.
Dessert
Classic malva pudding with vanilla custard. This dish will be pre-prepared by Frankie for you to enjoy on the evening.
Please note: Dishes are subject to change if we are restricted with ingredient availability.
Throughout the evening, Frankie will be on hand to demonstrate, share tips and offer personalised guidance as you create each dish yourself.
Whether you’re an enthusiastic home cook or simply looking to learn something new, this is a unique opportunity to get inside the kitchen with a MasterChef semi-finalist and discover the flavours of a country that has played such an important role in Frankie’s culinary journey.
£90 per person
7pm–10pm
Maximum 16 guests
Places are strictly limited to ensure a personal and relaxed experience.
An exclusive six-course tasting menu with optional wine pairing
7pm | £90 per person for food | Maximum 22 guests
For those who would rather sit back, relax and let Frankie do the cooking, Saturday evening offers a completely different experience.
Join us for an intimate evening at Truro School Cookery School and Café, where Frankie will prepare an exclusive six-course tasting menu, showcasing her flair for bold flavours, thoughtful combinations and beautifully presented dishes.
Simply take your seat, enjoy the atmosphere and let Frankie take you on a culinary journey.
Frankie’s Tasting Menu
1. Bread Course
Confit garlic and smoked salt focaccia with whipped lemon butter
2. Second Course
Caramelised onion tortilla with black garlic aioli
3. Third Course
Scandinavian gravadlax with sweet dill mustard sauce
4. Main Course
Beef ribeye with smashed potato and chimichurri butter
5. Cheese & Sweet Course
Manchego and fig tartlets with sherry cream
6. Dessert
Pear and stem ginger Eton mess
Please note: Dishes are subject to change if we are restricted with ingredient availability.
Optional wine pairing
Enhance your evening with a carefully selected wine pairing to complement Frankie’s menu, supplied by local wine merchants Old Chapel Cellars.
For just £30 per person, enjoy a carefully selected wine with each course, including two exceptional South African wines chosen to complement the flavours and inspiration of the menu, alongside wines from New Zealand and France.
Your wine pairing includes:
Wine 1 – Bread Course & Onion Tortilla
Forge Mill Chenin Blanc, Paarl, South Africa
Wine 2 – Gravadlax
Tohu Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand
Wine 3 – Ribeye
Andreas Syrah, Wellington, South Africa
Wine 4 – Cheese, Sweet Course & Dessert
Chateau Les Tourelles Cadillac Noble Late Harvest, Bordeaux, France
Please select the wine pairing option when purchasing your tasting menu if you would like to add this to your experience.
We look forward to welcoming you for an evening celebrating the flavours of South Africa, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines.
£90 per person for the tasting menu
Additional £30 per person for the wine pairing
7pm
Maximum 22 guests
With just 22 places available, this will be a relaxed, intimate evening designed for good food, great conversation and the pleasure of letting someone else take care of the cooking.
From MasterChef Semi-Finalist to guest chef
Frankie Dunn captured the attention of the nation when she competed on BBC MasterChef 2026, making it all the way to the final six from more than 12,000 applicants.
Her cooking stood out for its colour, creativity and global influences, drawing on a lifelong passion for food and her experiences of living around the world.
Frankie spent three years living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the country has had a particularly strong influence on her cooking. Her South African-inspired bobotie became one of her standout dishes on MasterChef, with restaurant critic and presenter Grace Dent memorably describing it as feeling like “when a shepherd’s pie gets married to a Christmas pudding”.
Frankie’s approach to food is centred on flavour, variety and nourishment. She describes her philosophy simply: the more colourful and diverse the plate, the better.
“For me, cooking is the ultimate way to bring people together. There is honestly nothing better than the buzz of a full table and seeing people enjoy a meal I’ve made.”
Frankie grew up in a family where she was encouraged to explore different cuisines and says cooking has always been at the heart of her home.
“I don’t really remember a time when I wasn’t into cooking. It’s always been an important part of my life, and wherever I’ve lived, the kitchen has always been the centre of the home.”
Her experimental approach to cooking also reflects her scientific background. Frankie is a qualified science teacher with a First Class BSc in Chemistry and 12 years of teaching experience across state, independent, grammar and international schools.
Today, alongside her career in the Civil Service, Frankie is developing her own recipe book, guest-cheffing at restaurants and establishing herself as a private chef.
Since her MasterChef appearance, she has also been showcasing her cooking across the UK, including appearances at Foodies Festival.
We are delighted to welcome Frankie from Cheshire to Cornwall for these two exclusive evenings at Truro School Cookery.
Whether you want to cook alongside a MasterChef semi-finalist or simply sit back and enjoy an exclusive tasting menu prepared by her, these are two evenings not to be missed.
With places strictly limited to just 16 guests for the cookery class and 22 guests for the tasting evening, both events are designed to be personal, relaxed and memorable.
Come and meet Frankie. Discover her food. Hear her stories. And experience a little taste of South Africa and beyond, right here at Truro School Cookery.
The Perfect Post-Valentine’s Treat — For Couples, Friends & Food Lovers
Looking for something a little different for Valentine’s Day? Why not celebrate the week after with an unforgettable evening of food, fun and great company?
These exclusive evenings with Frankie Dunn are perfect for couples looking for a special date night, friends wanting to spend an evening together doing something different, or anyone who simply loves great food and meeting new people.
For couples, the Friday cookery masterclass makes a brilliant alternative date night — roll up your sleeves, have some fun together and create delicious dishes alongside Frankie. Or, if you’d rather leave the cooking to someone else, choose the Saturday tasting evening, settle in with a glass of wine and enjoy a memorable meal together.
But you don’t need to bring a partner to enjoy these events!
Singles are very warmly welcomed. Come along on your own, learn some new skills, enjoy fantastic food and meet fellow food lovers in a relaxed and friendly setting. Whether you arrive as a couple, with a group of friends or solo, these evenings are all about bringing people together around good food.
Friday: Cook, laugh & create together
Bring your partner for a fun and very different date night, get a group of friends together for an evening out, or come along solo and make some new friends while learning from a MasterChef semi-finalist.
With just 16 places available, Frankie will be able to give you plenty of personal guidance as you create your own South African-inspired dishes. It’s hands-on, social and designed to be as much about the experience as the food.
Perfect for:
Couples • Friends • Solo food lovers • Budding cooks • Anyone looking for a fun night out
Saturday: Sit back, relax & enjoy
Make it a post-Valentine’s date night, gather your favourite people around the table, or treat yourself to an evening of exceptional food.
Frankie’s six-course tasting menu is the perfect excuse to dress up, switch off and enjoy an evening of great food and conversation. Optional wine pairing makes it even more special, with wines selected to complement each course.
With just 22 places available, this is an intimate evening where you’re encouraged to relax, enjoy the food and make the most of the company around you.
Perfect for:
Couples • Groups of friends • Solo diners • Foodies • Anyone who loves discovering new flavours
Come solo. Come together. Come hungry.
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day a little later, planning a night out with friends, looking for something memorable to do as a couple, or simply fancy trying something completely different, everyone is welcome.
Come and cook. Come and eat. Come and meet Frankie.
Most importantly, come and enjoy an evening centred around the thing Frankie loves most — bringing people together through food.
Dietary Requirements:
These menus can be adapted for vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free diets. Please note we cannot accommodate vegan alternatives for either the masterclass or tasting menu. Please email us to discuss your requirements: [email protected]
Follow Frankie on Instagram for more: @feastingwithfrankie
