At the very heart of her award-winning B&B and cookery workshops, professional chef Dominique Ashford, can’t help but sing the praises of her Esse 1000 X cooker.
Having trained under Michelin-starred chefs and following a prestigious 13-year stint as Head Pastry Chef at the Houses of Parliament, it’s little wonder that when Dominique Ashford opted for a change of scenery, food was at the heart of her new adventure. Dominique now runs beautiful Dale House Barn and B&B in Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland, which offers guests cookery courses and bread-making experiences, all with a seasonal approach to the ingredients used – and at the centre of it all is a British-made ESSE 1000 X electric range cooker.
Handmade by a skilled team in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, the ESSE 1000 X features a three-zone induction hob for instant, efficient heat, combined with a more traditional cast iron hotplate, which can be used for searing, chargrilling and toasting, while the large rectangular lids double as an effective splashback. The capacious ovens have a deep insulated design for even temperatures and succulent flavours.
“I need a cooker that’s both easy to use and easy to clean,” explains Dominique. “I make all my bread at home and the 1000 X is like using a professional bread oven. I also love the versatility of the solid cast iron top; it’s ideal for simmering a stew, making pancakes or even searing meat or vegetables.”
And when it comes to looks, The ESSE 1000 X doesn’t disappoint. “Results are more important to me than style,” says Dominique. “Thankfully, there’s no compromise – ESSE range cookers look beautiful and cook beautifully.”
For more information and inspiration, visit esse.com or follow on Instagram at: @esse1854. Find out more about Dominique and Dale House Barn at dalehousebarn.co.uk or at: @dalehousebarn.
Reader Offers
Readers of The Simple Things can enjoy an exclusive rate* on one of Dominique’s workshops.
1. An intro to bread making for 2 people using the ESSE 1000 X (£500).
• 3-course evening meal for two people
• 2-course lunch
• 1 night’s B&B at Dale House Barn (Tues-Thurs) (A farmhouse loaf; Soda bread; Olive oil crackers; Crumpets)
2. An intro to desserts for the Esse 1000 X (£550)
• 3-course evening meal for two people
• 2-course lunch
• 1 night’s B&B at Dale House Barn (Tues-Thurs) (Filled choux buns; pavlova, lemon tart)
T&Cs: The above rate* is exclusive to readers of The Simple Things and is a discount on the regular price of £640 for two people. The courses will be run mid-week, Tuesday-Thursday. To book a mutually convenient date, contact Dale House Barn at dalehousebarn.co.uk/contact, using code TST ESSE OFFER, indicating your preference for bread making or desserts. Offer valid until 31/12/2024. Subject to availability.
