When you think of Irish food, what comes to mind? Potatoes?

These days, countries like Ireland and England, which have a tradition of bland dishes, are becoming major culinary destinations.

The Ballymaloe Cookery School in East Cork is the center of an Irish culinary renaissance. Renowned chef and author Darina Allen leads one, two and five-day cooking lessons, starting around $250 per person.

The school sits on a 100-acre organic farm, where you can pick your own produce.

England, once famous for mushy peas and steak-and-kidney pie, now has Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity chefs.

At Swinton Park Castle in North Yorkshire, you can learn everything from throwing a dinner party to butchering your own meat.

And if you’d rather eat instead of cook, join Celia Brooks on a London food tour, where you taste your way through Notting Hill’s cafes, wineries and chocolate shops for about $100.

Check out the rest of our Culinary Travel category.

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