Retreats

Cook Eat Learn - An Afternoon & Evening full of discovery

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Retreats

About This Retreat: 

Join us for an afternoon and evening full of discovery, where you will learn the delights of harvesting organic ingredients from the Lisnavagh Walled Garden under the guidance and tuition of Andrew Jordan followed by a cookery experience with chef, Steve Mercer.  

Finish off the evening with a mini vegetarian feast dining in the company of both Andrew & Steve.  

This unique experience will provide enjoyment and and a multitude of insights into how to grow real food plus how to learn to enjoy wholesome food in your own home.

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Start Date:

November 14, 2025

Days:

1

Friday, 14th

Price:

€110 per person (€90 per person for two people booking together). Accommodation options available.

Includes: 

3.00pm Arrival and Welcome

3.30pm Harvesting with Andrew Jordan in Walled garden

4.30pm Cookery with Steve Mercer

6pm Vegetarian feast (2 courses)

9pm Depart at leisure

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About Your Teacher: 

The Teacher for this event

Steve Mercer

With over 15 years of experience in professional kitchens, Steve is a classically trained chef from Bristol, UK, whose cooking is rooted in a deep respect for seasonal, locally grown ingredients. Having worked in a field-to-fork kitchen, Steve developed a passion for showcasing produce at its freshest — a philosophy that continues to shape their approach to food today.


Their career has also spanned wedding venues across Ireland, where they honed their craft in elegant, large-scale dining, and they have run their own vegetarian food truck and catering business, bringing vibrant, plant-focused dishes to a wide audience.


Blending classical training with a creative, ingredient-led style, Steve celebrates simplicity, sustainability, and the true flavour of the seasons in every dish.

Andrew Jordan

Andrew has been involved in growing food since 2001, beginning his journey on organic farms and ecovillage projects in New Zealand and Canada.

There, he was introduced to concepts such as Permaculture, Seed Sovereignty, Agroforestry and the "Soil Food Web".

On his return to Europe, he spent several years travelling around the continent, training and working in all aspects of Regenerative Agriculture, Forest Farming, Market gardening, Therapeutic Horticulture and much more.

Returning to Ireland in 2012, he helped set up a training garden on the DCU campus in Dublin. From 2016 to 2019, he managed the walled garden at Sonairte, Ireland's National Ecology Centre. Following this, he set up his own market garden and CSA in Dublin, where he also held workshops in all aspects of growing and self sufficiency.

Currently, he is heading up the growing operation at Lisnavagh and still teaches horticulture part-time, with CDETB in Dublin.

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Testimonials

What our clients say

"This was my first retreat experience and it exceeded my expectations…The food was a delight and joy to eat.'

— December 2019

"The cookery demo had some great ideas to go away with…"

— Yoga & Cookery Retreat February 2019

I just wanted to say thank you again for a lovely weekend. I feel so rested! I really enjoyed Pam’s classes. The food was delicious. I will be back again at some point!

— Ruth, January 2019

"Nothing compares. A beautiful place and wonderful experience"

— November 2018 Yoga Sleep Weekend

"The food was exceptional and the cookery demo added to my enjoyment of the food."

— November Yoga & Cookery 2018