The Cooks’ Company is one of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London. Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1482, our origins can be traced back to around 1170 with the joining of two medieval guilds of cooks to regulate the profession within the City – the Cooks of Eastcheap and the Cooks of Bread Street. We are the smallest Livery Company and rank 35th in the City’s order of precedence.
Today we are an active and vibrant organisation with a renewed role and relevance. We champion excellence in the craft of cooking and offer support and assistance in education and training, particularly for young people. Our members give freely of their time and experience to ensure the Company remains active in the catering industry and is a force for good for society in general.
A taste of What We Do
The Cooks’ Apprenticeship Programme
We sponsor 32 Professional Cookery apprentices a year on a programme run in partnership with Westminster Kingsway College.
Learn more167 Regiment Royal Logistics Corp
We have a close association with British Army catering, giving practical assistance and support for field exercises and other activities.
Learn moreThe City Food Lecture
We are one of the seven ‘food-associated’ Livery Companies that organise this invitation-only annual event for the food industry, held at the Guildhall.
Learn moreThe Clink Charity
We support the rehabilitation of prisoners by helping fund a training initiative that provides them with practical cooking skills and qualifications.
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14th International Conference on Culinary Arts and Sciences
17-18 June 2026, Quebec City, QC, Canada“Food sustainability in the face of global challenges”
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