Are you a keen cook wanting to hone your skills? Or a newbie who can hardly fry an egg, but has dreams of whipping up culinary feasts? No matter your skill level, there’s a cookery class for all you budding chefs. You’ll learn new recipes and techniques, and then get to eat all that yummy food you’ve cooked yourself. So whether you’re looking to save money by cooking at home more, or want to serve restaurant-quality food at home, be sure to check out these cookery classes in London.
1. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute
Le Cordon Bleu is one of the world’s leading culinary arts schools, so obviously they offer some of the best cookery classes in London. In particular, they offer a huge range of short-form courses for those just dipping their toes in the culinary waters. These courses include everything from Cuisine Techniques to Wine Tasting, Cake Decorating, and Summer Cooking Courses. Within these categories, specific classes include pâtisserie workshops, Beef Wellington masterclasses, and introductions to plant-based cooking. You can even delve into the school’s history with the ‘130 years of Le Cordon Bleu: Coronation Chicken’ class.
Each course is taught by “Le Cordon Bleu Master Chefs and lecturers, who are experts in their fields” – so you know you’re in good hands. Successful course completion will net cooks highly-recognised qualifications, and you might just find yourself with a newfound passion. You could even go all the way and apply for the Grand Diplôme® Professional Chef Diploma. But for now, check out their ‘Gourmet & Short Cookery Courses’ here.
📍 15 Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2LS.
🚇 Nearest station is Holborn.
2. Fresh Pasta & Bottomless Prosecco: An Italian Cooking Adventure
Are you looking for a new activity to do with friends this weekend? Well, look no further than this Italian Cooking Adventure. You and your friends will learn all about making fresh pasta from scratch, all while sipping on bottomless prosecco.
The stage is set for your Italian cookery class with a warm welcome as you enjoy “delightful Italian nibbles”. Then it’s off to work to learn all about fresh pasta cookery as you master the art of crafting authentic ravioli and tagliatelle. And don’t worry if you’re not a meat-eater the class is veggie- and vegan-friendly. After all, everyone should be able to experience the joys of freshly made pasta. Book your spot on the course here.
📍 La Nina Caffè & Mercato, 43 Skylines Village, E14 9TS.
🚇 Nearest stations are Crossharbour & Canary Wharf.
3. La Scuola at Eataly
If you want to master Italian cooking, you’ll want to head to the home of Italian food and cooking in London, Eataly. Inside this enormous Italian food hall, you’ll find a plethora of impressive ingredients, drinks, and Italian goodies. You can also stuff your face silly with food from the ground floor food court, or the venue’s selection of restaurants and bars. But to really get to grips with the food – literally – you’ll want to check out Eataly’s cookery classes at La Scuola.
As you might expect, the classes here largely revolve around pasta and pizza – the two beloved staples of Italian cuisine in London. Classes include Traditional Filled Pasta, Pizza Making, baking classes, and even sessions for kids. See the full range of courses and find out more here.
📍 135 Bishopsgate, City of London, EC2M 3YD
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street
4. Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class
What if it’s not Italian food you care about, but another type of filled dough? For example, dumplings? Well, then you’ll want to be sure to grab a spot at this 3 Hour Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class. In intimate-sized classes, you’ll learn how to make authentic Chinese dumplings from scratch. Along the way, you’ll also find out about the “history and modern trends of dumpling making and Asian cuisine”. Grab your ticket for the class here.
📍 122 Brunswick Quay, SE16 7PT.
🚇 Nearest stations are Canada Water and Surrey Quays
5. Leiths School of Food & Wine
Image: @leithseducation, via IG
Food lovers, take note! This is one of the UK’s most respected cookery schools and it offers an impressive range of courses. If you’ve got a real passion for cooking and want to pursue your career in the food industry – whether it be as an aspiring chef or working on catering teams – then look no further than their professional courses, which are designed to help train students to become successful culinary professionals.
Leiths School of Food & Wine offers programmes designed specifically around each individual’s needs. The world is your oyster when it comes to learning how to cook classic dishes here. You’ll learn about food from all over the world, and find out how to pair them with the perfect wine for a wonderful culinary experience. We’ll cheers to that!
📍 16-20 Wendell Road, London, W12 9RT.
🚇 Nearest station is Stamford Brook.
6. Ann’s Smart School of Cookery
Image: @annssmartschool, via IG
Get hands-on experience with this Canary Wharf-based cooking class, led by the BBC Masterchef finalist Ann Hood. It’s an intimate dining, learning, and social experience, where you’ll be privy to all manner of insider tips and tricks of the trade.
There’s everything here from Spanish tapas-making to Mexican feasts and dim sum preparation. Plus, thanks to the small class sizes you’ll likely make some new mates along the way! Check out the available sessions and book here.
📍 7 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AN.
🚇 Nearest station is West India Quay.
7. Waitrose Cookery School
Image: @waitrose_cookeryschool, via IG
You may just think of Waitrose as a place to buy a nice bottle of wine before visiting your parents, or as the bougie place to buy groceries, but did you know they also offer cookery classes? In keeping with the grocers’ wide range of cuisines and ingredients, the courses range from Pho Bo to Malaysian curries, pizza, pasta, and more. There are even courses just designed for you to improve your knife skills.
As well as in-person sessions, Waitrose also offers free online cooking classes. These live recordings allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home kitchen, garnering knowledge from Watirose’s own star chef Alex Szrok and The Great British Bake Off’s Ruby Bhogal. You can experience these live – and chime in with questions – or watch them back at a later date. Plus you can hire out the cookery school for events or parties – how’s that for the ultimate birthday party?! Find out more here.
📍Waitrose & Partners King’s Cross, Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BZ
🚇Nearest station is King’s Cross St Pancras.
8. Divertimenti Cookery School
Image: @divertimenti, via IG
Divertimenti has some of the most popular cookery classes in London, and it’s pretty easy to see why. With its convenient location and extensive array of classes, it’s a great choice for those who want to learn how to really cook. Plus they often have all manner of guest speakers and instructors coming by – ranging from professional chefs to cookbook authors and beyond.
They offer a pretty comprehensive selection of sessions, such as baking classes, vegetarian classes, and world cuisine classes. If there’s something you want to cook (or eat) you’re sure to find a class that works for you. There are also ‘Parent and Teen Classes‘ for some family bonding over food, and ‘Demonstration Classes’, which allow you to “look and learn as a leading chef prepares an array of dishes before you.” Find out more and book a class here.
📍 227-229 Brompton Road, SW3 2EP.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
9. Jamie Oliver Cookery School
While you might not learn directly from the Naked Chef himself, the Jamie Oliver Cookery School sets you up with just as much knowledge as if he was there teaching you. There are “over 30 cooking classes on offer, from speedy one-hour sessions to immersive full-day experiences” as well as extra-special Guest Chef classes. At these, you’ll learn from the likes of Gennaro Contaldo (as seen on many of Jamie’s programmes), Mandy Yin from Sambal Shiok, and other chefs from London restaurants.
Classes are also available online and group bookings can be made to ensure you and all your friends are in the same class. Plus, if you attend a Guest Chef class, you’ll receive a free cookbook so you can take home even more knowledge. As an added boon, the classes at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School are some of the most affordable on this list! Book a spot at one of Jamie Oliver’s cookery classes here.
📍 160 Holloway Road, N7 8DD. Moving soon to John Lewis & Partners, Oxford Street, 300 Oxford Street, W1C 1DX.
🚇 Nearest station is Holloway Road, soon to be Oxford Circus.
10. Pho + Family Vietnamese cookery classes
Image: @phoandfamily, via IG
But what if you’re sceptical of these cookery classes that purport to be able to teach you absolutely any dish? If you’re searching for true authenticity, head to the Pho + Family Vietnamese cookery classes. Under the watchful eye of Xuan, in her cosy kitchen, you’ll learn all about authentic homemade Vietnamese recipes that are actually cooked and eaten by Vietnamese families. You’ll also learn plenty of tips and tricks, gain insight into Vietnamese culture, and find out how to adapt recipes and put your personal spin on them.
Blending the worlds of a cooking class and a laid-back supper club, this is perfect for those who learn best in a warm and welcoming environment. Each class covers three main dishes and a variety of important Vietnamese garnishes and condiments – so you’ll come away with plenty of knowledge to impress your friends and family. Find out more and book here.
11. School of Wok
Image: @schoolofwok, via IG
Are you ready to wok ‘n’ roll? Then head on over to “the UK’s Number one Asian cookery school” – handily located in Covent Garden. The School of Woks allows budding chefs to learn in face-to-face sessions or via interactive online cooking classes. Classes range from three hours long to full-day learning experiences or even a five-day culinary journey!
Along the way, you’ll learn from teachers from a variety of backgrounds. You could be making dim-sum and bao, Chinese takeaway classics, or spending a full day cooking up a Chinese banquet. There are also masterclasses with cookbook authors, chefs, food writers, Masterchef competitors, and more.
📍 61 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Leicester Square and Charing Cross.
12. Borough Kitchen Cook School
Image: @boroughkitchen, via IG
You might know the Borough Kitchen stores for their stunning array of kitchen goods and products. But they also offer cookery classes! At the Borough Kitchen Cook School, they have one goal: “to teach you how to become a confident, more intuitive cook.” They want you to learn to cook without painstakingly following a recipe and trust your instincts and palate. With classes in their Battersea Power Station, Chiswick, Hampstead and Islington stores, you’ll use top-quality knives and cookware from their stores as you learn from a trained chef, before sitting down to enjoy the bountiful meal you’ve made.
Whether you want to learn how to make Chinese Dumplings and Bao, become a master of filled pasta, or whip up a Middle Eastern feast, the Borough Kitchen Cook School has you sorted. There are also private cookery classes available. Find out more and book a class here.
📍 Multiple venues, find out more here.
So, there you go! Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or to improve your culinary skills, one of these cookery classes in London is sure to fit the bill.