Learn to cook up a storm at one of London’s festive cookery courses
Words Helen Brown
Whether you’re the baker, the maker or the cake decorator; or whether you prefer to kick back and relax with someone else’s home-made mince pies, there is no doubt about it that Christmas is a feasting season of fantastically gluttonous proportions. So you can make the most of this foodie-favourite holiday, we’ve rounded up London’s most impressive cookery classes. Astound your friends with a full banquet spread or point the chef in your life in the right direction. We’ll be very impressed if you can still wriggle into your jeans come January.
Christmas with all the Trimmings
For the unconfident chef, Jamie Oliver’s 1-day class is an absolutely holiday saviour. His brilliant team will show you how to pull off the perfect Christmas day feast with plenty of hints and tips on what to prep, when to cook it and, of course, how to cook it. You’ll learn how to make all the Christmas trimmings you could ever need, including Jamie’s perfect roast potatoes and parsnips, brussels in a hussle, classic bread sauce, cranberry sauce and that all important stuffing – as well as brushing up on your knife skills along the way. At the end, you can sit down to enjoy what you’ve cooked, along with a glass of wine. Anything uneaten (unlikely) they’ll wrap up with some lovely mince pies and a nice cuppa before seeing you off, full of Christmas knowledge.
Various dates
£65.00
Jamie Oliver Cookery School; book here.
Scandinavian Christmas Feast
Give your Christmas feast an on-trend Scandi twist this season with the Waitrose cookery school. Get stuck in and discover the delights of festive Scandinavian dishes from meatballs and gravy to pan-fried mackerel with beetroot and apple salad.
21 December
£100.00
Waitrose Kings Cross, Wharf Road, N1C; book here.
Master the Art of Sauces
This class addresses an area of cooking that is often considered tricky and hence overlooked; sauces. You will learn that with just a few simple ingredients you can make a variety of savoury and sweet sauces that can be used as they are or as the starting point for plenty of exciting dishes. Perfect your red wine reduction and whiz up an indulgent sauce Béarnaise to astound your holiday guests, or master the art of confectioner’s custard and crème Anglaise to add a touch of decadence to your festive puds. At the end of the session, sit down together to feast on delicious dishes made using your sauces along with a glass of wine.
17 December
£115.00
Cookery School, 15 Little Portland Street, W1W; book here.
Merry Molecular Christmas
Satiate the appetite of your inner child with Waitrose’s Molecular feast. If you’ve ever thought about making edible snow or bursting baubles, now is your chance with this 5 hour course jampacked with science and all things nice. On the menu; Cornish crab with celeriac and apple caviar; roast duck with parsnip and juniper snow and to finish, a mouthwatering chocolate cremeux with spiced orange.
22 December
£100.00
Waitrose Kings Cross, Wharf Road, N1C; book here.
Pimp My Profiteroles at Jenius Social
Profiteroles; an all-round crowd pleaser and the ultimate pud. Take this classic to the next level with a range of tantalising fillings and deliciously drizzly sauces at Jenius Social’s Pimp My Profiteroles class. You’ll learn how to make the dreamiest, most melt-in-the-mouth profiteroles by perfecting the art of choux pastry, before choosing the ideal combinations for your indulgent sauces and fillings.
18 December
£75.00
6 Hornsey Street, Islington, N7; Book here.
Konditor & Cook Gingerbread House Decorating
This London bakery chain is running a series of workshops throughout the Christmas period, such as this family-friendly gingerbread house decorating class. Suitable for complete beginners, the class will see you and your little one spend the evening decorating and building festive work of art using gingerbread panels. As you construct your edible architecture you will learn icing techniques and finish with a creation that probably won’t last the car journey home.
21 December
£55
Various London locations; book here.
