AS a former restaurant critic, I like to leave the cooking to the professionals.

But I've always fancied myself as a decent chef.

I'm one of those people who, when I make a meal at home, I imagine I'm presenting my own cookery show.

So a weekend away at a cookery school is right up my street — especially when you get to eat as you learn.

The Bodnant Welsh Food Centre is part farmshop, part restaurant, part hotel, part cookery school, part wedding venue, part wine cellar, part butchery... the list goes on.

Given I am currently still searching for a wedding venue, I would happily get hitched here — it is an idyllic setting — but the missus is angling for a ceremony in warmer climes than northern Wales.

But the country's reputation as a nation of foodies is growing — and when you visit Bodnant it's easy to see why — they certainly know their onions (or should that be leeks?).

The food centre has a bakery, a dairy, a butchery, a delicatessen, a wine cellar and a tea room.

Set in the heart of the Conwy Valley and surrounded by the stunning scenery of Snowdonia, Bodnant’s award-winning food centre is just the job for wannabe Jamies and Nigellas.

I took my own Nigella with me and since we like to fight over who gets to be head chef at home, this was the perfect chance for a bit of friendly competition.

We were set for a day-long fish course — with a break to eat the lunch we had prepared.

We got to take home the food we knocked up in the afternoon session as we treated ourselves to a proper meal at Bodnant's Hayloft restaurant.

The Bodnant Cookery School gives personal guidance from leading Welsh culinary experts.

Whether you’re a complete beginner, a budding chef or an enthusiastic foodie, the state of the art cookery school hosts a wide range of courses suited to all abilities.

They also do courses for children throughout the year.

We learnt how to successfully fillet fish — although I did manage to nearly slice off half my finger at one point, turning the air as blue as the plaster I needed.

And we also picked up a few other nice hints and tips, which we have taken back to our own kitchen.

As for who 'won' I had to gracefully accept defeat — my very own Nigella came out on top and I've not heard the end of it since.

After a hard day in the kitchen (not that hard, as you get a glass or two of wine as you learn) — we retired to our beautiful room.

Set in the foothills of Snowdonia, the on-site Furnace Farmhouse offers a luxurious countryside retreat.

The accommodation is very nice if you like a modern, rustic country feel — which we do.

The centre offers a range of packages, allowing guests to do just as we did and stay over — either before or after your cookery course.

Our meal in the restaurant was fine (although I still think lunch, cooked by my own fair hand was better) — but the best meal of the lot had to be the full Welsh breakfast the morning after.

It was a top notch finish to what was a jolly good weekend.