There’s a brand new Jamie Oliver Cookery School on the block, and – of course – we had to get ourselves in on the action. Having landed slap-bang in the middle of the capital city, Jamie’s new flagship cookery school will offer over 40 different classes inside the jaw-droppingly gorgeous new space inside John Lewis Oxford Street; promising to help even the most unseasoned of cooks (like me) unleash their inner chefs.
We headed down to the shiny new space to have a nosey around it, and try out a class with the cookery-connoisseur himself. And alongside discovering that you truly can’t be good at everything, we got to grill the main main on his favourite London locations. And now it’s time to let you in on all of Jamie’s secrets, too. You’re very welcome…
Jamie Oliver’s favourite cheap eat in London
Topping Jamie Oliver’s cheap eat charts is the sensational Southern Indian restaurant, Rasa. The ever-so popular eatery with its hot pink facade has been perched proudly over in Stoke Newington since the mid 1990s, and serves up a whole host of hearty, homely, and hugely delicious dishes.
Undeniably one of the best Indian restaurants in the capital city, it’s unsurprising to us that it’s been given the Jamie Oliver seal of approval. The veggie-heavy menu explores the flavours of Kerala, and the portions are so generous; this spot is as delightful for your wallet as it is your tastebuds.
đź“Ť You’ll find Rasa at 55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AR.
🚇 Nearest station is Stoke Newington.
Jamie Oliver’s favourite hidden gem in London
If you’re looking for a twinkling gem that very few Londoners know about; allow Jamie Oliver to point you in the direction of Sweetings in Bank. This historic, Victorian-era fish restaurant is o-fish-ially one of the oldest restaurants in London – and one of the very few remaining spots of its kind.
Located right in the heart of the city, Sweetings is old-school and utterly iconic. A certified London institution, it only opens for weekday lunches (between 11.30am and 3pm), and serves up a huge range of beautifully cooked fish.
đź“Ť You’ll find Sweetings at 39 Queen Victoria Street, EC4N 4SF.
🚇 Nearest station is Cannon Street.
Jamie Oliver’s ideal date spot in London
We also couldn’t resist asking the one and only Naked Chef what his ideal date in London would entail. And, yet again, his answer did not disappoint. If you’re in need of some inspiration on how to spend a romantic day out in the capital city, listen up. Jamie suggests you make a beeline to La Fromagerie in Marylebone, where you’ll be spoilt for choice with delicious produce.
Based on the name, I’m sure you’ve gathered that the award-winning shop specialises in cheese, but they also have plenty of other picky bits to fill your picnic basket with. Jamie’s recommendation is to grab some scrumptious snacks and bottle of wine, and head on over to the nearby Regent’s Park to enjoy them in the sunshine. How brie-llient does that sound?
đź“Ť You’ll find La Fromagerie at 2-6 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW.
🚇 Nearest stations are Baker Street and Bond Street.
Jamie Oliver’s favourite shop in London
The last of Jamie Oliver’s London recommendations is over in Muswell Hill. His favourite shop in the city comes in the form of Audio Gold, an ‘Aladdin’s cave of HiFi and Vinyl’. This wonderfully rare record store is one of the very few places in which you can get your hands on a huge selection of new and used records and equipment. Filled to the brim with music-based bits-and-bobs, this north London spot is a treasure trove for music-lovers. And certainly one to add to your must-visit list.
đź“Ť You’ll find Audio Gold at 308-310 Park Road, N8 8LA.
🚇 Nearest station is Highgate.
So, there you have it. If you fancy channeling your inner Jamie Oliver for the day; now you know exactly where to go. Bon Appetit!