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Happy Gut Cooking Workshops
Delicious food, good company …. and a little food-for-thought
What if looking after your gut didn’t mean giving anything up - just discovering a few new ideas, flavours, and habits along the way?
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Our Happy Gut Workshops are relaxed, hands-on cooking sessions hosted by The Mixing Bowl Aberdeen, where good food comes first - and curiosity naturally follows.
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Led by Tim Yeomans, Wholefood Chef and Food Educator from The Nourished Plate, each workshop combines simple, delicious cooking with interesting insights into how food supports everyday wellbeing, with a particular focus on the gut microbiome. A different guest joins us each week, bringing expert knowledge, fresh perspectives and inspiration.
The Workshops at a Glance
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There are four stand-alone sessions, each exploring a different theme through cooking, conversation, and shared meals. You can come to one or join them all - each session offers something fresh.
Practical details
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If you’re looking for something a little different to do within walking distance of Westhill, Elrick or Kirkton of Skene, this is a lovely way to spend an evening. If you are driving then parking is free of charge and right outside the hall.
Times: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Place: Milne Hall, Kirkton of Skene, near Westhill
Cost: £36.50 per session with a 10% discount if 4 sessions or places are booked under one name
What to Bring: You are welcome to bring a drink of your choice, together with glasses, to have with your meal. Aprons, ingredients, and guidance are all provided
Cancellation Policy: Please see HERE
Introducing Tim Yeomans from The Nourished Plate
Tim is a familiar face around Westhill and Elrick, well‑known for the hugely popular bistro nights he ran at various locations in Aberdeenshire.
An experienced chef with over eight years at Buchanan’s Bistro in Banchory, and a keen runner, Tim has become deeply immersed in whole‑food eating and supporting his own gut health. His passion for fermentation means there is rarely a moment without a batch of kraut, kombucha, or sourdough coming out of his kitchen.
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​More recently, Tim founded and managed a successful nutritious meal business from his home kitchen, delivering wholesome, flavour‑packed dishes directly to customers and quickly building a loyal following. He has also catered for numerous yoga retreats; thoughtfully designing menus that complement their wellness focus and supporting the holistic approach to health.
​Tim has now launched his new venture, The Nourished Plate, a business dedicated to nutritious food education. He’s excited to share his passion, experience, and knowledge with you. Find out more on Instagram by following @thenourishedplate.co.uk.
Introducing The Mixing Bowl Aberdeen
As you will read on this website, it all started while chopping a carrot and thinking “It would be so much more fun to do this in a group”…. and so the Mixing Bowl was born. As with all good ideas, one thing soon leads on to another and here we are almost 12 years later with happy memories of 60 past cooking workshops, talks, tastings, quizzes and demonstrations, of 5 large food festivals, of a ‘film and dine’ local produce event, of our Food Hub during Covid and of 3 successful charity fundraisers. We hope you enjoy browsing through our website and we look forward to meeting you at one of our upcoming events.
What to expect
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Tasty, satisfying recipes you’ll cook together in small groups (no cheffy skills required) - all recipes will be vegan at the workshops however meat or fish can be added if you make it at home
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Interesting and down-to-earth insights from recent research - shared in a way that makes sense, even if you’ve never thought about gut health before
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A chance to meet local, small-scale food producers from Aberdeenshire and learn from a Nutritional Therapist
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Time to sit down together and enjoy the meal you have cooked, accompanied by a few extra treats from Tim
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Plenty of opportunity to ask questions, chat, and connect with new friends
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All recipes will be made available to take home, so you can easily recreate what you’ve enjoyed at the event
Session 1: Feel Good Fibre
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Friday 24th April
Special guest: Sally Munro, Nutritional Therapist
Discover why fibre is about so much more than digestion. We’ll explore everyday foods that naturally support your immunity, mental wellbeing and disease prevention, without sacrificing flavour. Expect practical tips, simple explanations, and delicious dishes that make fibre feel like a pleasure, not a chore.
Session 2: A World of Plants
Friday 15th May
Special guest: Ali Easson from Hemp It Up
Eating a wider variety of plants doesn’t mean becoming vegetarian or giving up your favourites. Its more about adding them in! This session looks at how small, enjoyable changes can add colour, texture, and interest to your meals, while gently supporting gut health. You’ll taste, cook, and learn how diversity can be simple and satisfying.
Session 3: Fermented Food Made Friendly
Friday 29th May
Special guest: Jono Hope from Slow Sauce
Fermented foods have been part of traditional cooking for centuries - but they don’t have to be intimidating. This session demystifies fermentation, showing how it enhances flavour, adds interest to meals, and fits easily into modern cooking. Expect bold tastes, new suggestions, and ideas for using fermented foods as everyday flavour boosters.
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Session 4: Celebrating Fresh, Local Veg
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Friday 12th June
Special guest: Rose Bramwell from Fieldfare CSA
This final session brings together everything we explored in earlier sessions — fibre, plant diversity, and fermented foods — in a celebration of fresh, locally grown vegetables. Rose will share fascinating stories from her market garden near Laurencekirk that grows a wide selection of vegetables, herbs and fruits (including very tasty melons!). It will be the perfect opportunity to connect the food on your plate with where it comes from. Come along and join the party as we round up the Happy Gut series.
Please note booking is essential as availability is limited.
Click on the ‘Book Here’ button below to send a booking request to The Mixing Bowl where you can request your place(s) on your chosen session(s) and advise of any allergies.
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We will reply to advise availability and will send you BACS payment details. (please check your spam folder if you have not heard from us within 48 hours)
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Your booking will be confirmed by email once payment has been received.
Who are these workshops for?
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Anyone who enjoys good food and good company.
You don’t need any background knowledge, special diet, or strong opinions about nutrition. If you’ve ever thought “food should just be delicious”, you’ll fit right in - we agree.
Come with friends, or come on your own. Either way, you’ll be warmly welcomed.