If you ask me would I visit a wine bar for an evening meal, my answer 90% of the time would be a no. However, Lockets is no ordinary wine bar; they are brought to you by the Wiltons group. They own the institutions Wiltons which opened in 1742 and Franco’s in 1945; so you would guess it was high time, they opened their next venture.
Lockets is open from 7.30 am to 11.00 pm so you can enjoy anything from early morning breakfast to a late evening supper. They might be aiming for a casual and relaxed atmosphere but the decor is refined and elegant. The wavy monochrome flooring is an eye-catcher, whilst the amber-coloured table tops, the glass globe pendant and the soft-coloured wooden panels all add a sense of warmth to the venue. Plus, their floor-to-ceiling windows allow for plenty of natural daylight along with the obligatory people watching.
Service is effortlessly welcoming here, we were greeted in a very personable way by their Brazilian manager and in no time, she had recommended top-quality choices for our wine selection. Here, they like to recommend the more atypical, so we were offered Pinot Grigio from Slovakia. It was on the dry side with aromas of grapefruit and ripe pear which paired well with the food we ordered.
The second wine we tried was a relatively light Cabernet Sauvignon from The Cannonberg Project in South Africa. A percentage of the money from the sales of these wines goes directly to support projects within the local community in the renowned Cape Winelands. And they strongly support ethical and sustainable farming.
They have 3 different menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the real discovery was their dinner menu. Most wine bars offer simple cheese and charcuterie boards to pair with their wines and they do offer those items, but their cold and hot plates were expertly executed. One suspects their chefs have been trained at either the hallowed kitchens of Wiltons or Franco’s.
The raw red prawns had a deep, vibrant hue and were flavoured with a hint of chilli oil and is a dish as good as any you will find in the heart of Sicily. For the last adventurous, they have house-cured salmon with mustard and rye bread.
The hot plate offerings were relatively vegetarian-friendly with dishes like squash risotto with burratini and sage and polenta, mushrooms and parmesan. The former had a delightful variation in texture with the squash, cheese, and healthy seeds; whilst the latter reminded me how polenta is such an underrated dish and should be eaten more often.
Lockets will no doubt join the likes of Wiltons and Franco’s as a major institution in the West End of London.
For an Italian restaurant that is has been opened since 1945, you might be expecting Franco’s to be a stuffy, old-fashioned institution set on their ways. After all, Jermyn Street where the restaurant is situated dates back to 1664 when Charles II authorised Henry Jermyn, the Earl of St Albans, to develop an area close to St James’s Palace and is still a bastion of gentleman tailor shops. However, with their recent refurbishment at the tail end of last year, there is a more contemporary sophistication to proceedings with smart grey woods and traditional botanical-inspired wallpapers adorning the entrance and reception area. Mirrors running the length of the room offers spacious feel to the dining space.
Their à la carte menu is a classy affair with dishes that are not overly complicated yet uses the finest of ingredients. The prime example is the first course of fresh hand-picked crab with avocado and citrus; you genuinely see every strand of crab meat that has been carefully picked out from the shell of the crustacean. The citrusy fruits on top of the dish added to the freshness of the creation. Pan-fried scallops were cleverly flavoured with n’duja to add a stronger punch to the dish and were accompanied with butternut squash.
Pasta dishes are freshly made in-house and not to be missed. They offer both a smaller portion if you intend on having a main course afterward or they can make a heftier portion if you are looking for a quicker business-type lunch. I opted for the pappardelle with mixed mushrooms and black truffle; which was cooked not a second more than required to ensure it was genuinely al dente tasting. A mixture of exotic mushrooms and truffles always works well in terms of a vegetarian option for pasta. However, if you are visiting with any vegetarian or vegan guests, they do have a dedicated menu to ensure all dietary needs are catered for. And they always have daily specials to ensure, regulars can always try something new or what is seasonal in the markets.
The dessert section of the menu is also a must-try part of Franco’s experience. Their classic tiramisu seemed to be the dish of choice looking at neighbouring dinner tables and it just had the right amount of moisture and a slight hint of alcohol. However, the surprising winner on our table was the ricotta and pear cheesecake which had a delightful fruity scent from the addition of the pears. And the addition of the chocolate ice cream made the dish even more irresistible.
If you are looking for a classy Italian affair, look no further than Franco’s in Mayfair.
Love is all around us! It’s February and this means some of London’s most-loved iconic dining spots turn up the heat with their enticing Valentine’s Day menus. Whether you’re loved-up or just feel like indulging with your friends, take a pick from some of the most fabulous spots in London below and enjoy the spoils of the Month of Love.
Kaspar’s at The Savoy
With glittering chandeliers, mirrors and polished marble floors, the exquisite Art Deco-inspired restaurant Kaspar’s at The Savoy is a chic, sophisticated spot for romance. This year, the restaurant will be offering a special sharing menu that features the most luxurious ingredients including oysters, Foie Gras, truffle and champagne. Upon arrival guests will receive a glass of Louis Roederer Rosé Champagne followed by a five course menu. Examples from the Valentine’s Day menu include sharing dishes of oysters, crab ravioli, lamb wellington, beef tartare, Native lobster and a raspberry soufflé. The menu will cost £105 per person.
Bottles | Chelsea
Located on Draycott Avenue and nestled in the heart of leafy West london BOTTLES is a new Italian wine bar and restaurant which focuses on quality Italian food and houses an eclectic & extensive wine list. Perfect for couples seeking to enhance their knowledge of wine, or simply pop in for a glass or two to enjoy along with some authentic Italian small plates, the beautiful new Chelsea venue provides the perfect date-night spot. Highlights from the food menu include Truffle Taglioni, Mediterranean Octopus with Mushroom Jus & Wild Seabass Ceviche with baked black olive sauce.
Ridgeview | Simpson’s In The Strand
Simpson’s takes enormous pride in being a long-standing supporter of English sparkling wine and is pleased to serve Ridgeview’s Simpson’s Cavendish NV as the first sparkling in its Beverage Collection. The upstairs bar is the perfect spot to share a bottle with a loved one this Valentine’s Day, with the bottle’s vibrant pink sash making if feel like an apt choice for the occasion.
Beaufort Bar | The Savoy
The Beaufort Bar provides a theatrical, art deco setting in which to enjoy cocktails that push the boundaries this Valentine’s Day. The award-winning team have created a menu designed to intrigue and excite guests with each drink listed entirely unique to the Beaufort Bar. For those with more of a taste for romance, the Beaufort Bar boasts an impressive selection of vintage and non-vintage champagne by the glass and bottle.
Rapidly cementing its status as a top destination for foodie travellers, Santa Barbara’s culinary scene has never been better. Situated just two hours north of Los Angeles, California, the region holds all the raw ingredients for great wining, dining and culture – from year-round produce and sustainable seafood to world-class vineyards, not to mention a blossoming art scene to boot. Here’s why you should visit in 2020…
Devour world-class food in fabulous surroundings
In recent years, a flurry of new chefs have arrived in Santa Barbara who are applying a high level of skill to the abundant local produce. Forget stuffy white table cloths and smart dress codes, this city is all about laidback luxury. Serving up some of California’s most innovative dining experiences, a number of recently opened restaurants have been wowing locals and visitors alike. Try Bibi-Ji, Santa Barbara’s first contemporary Indian, serving playful spins on classics with a menu that highlights the local seafood served ‘sea-to-table’, Tyger Tyger, a dynamic 1,900-square-foot marketplace featuring ‘fast-fine’ Southeast Asian cuisine, or Loquita, a lively Spanish-style restaurant in the Funk Zone.
There’s a brand new culinary festival
Santa Barbara is on the cusp of launching a city-wide extravaganza, the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience, presented in partnership with the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. The event, taking place 13-15 March 2020, is a new annual festival celebrating the bounty of what is grown in and around Santa Barbara, including a tasting event showcasing the best of Santa Barbara’s food and drink, hands-on cooking classes, food trend talks, and more. A new map of Julia Child’s favourite Santa Barbara haunts, specially created for release during the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience, will enable visitors to follow in the famous chef’s footsteps any time of year.
…And a burgeoning art scene
In addition to a growing creative scene, which is evident throughout Santa Barbara’s creative Funk Zone, Santa Barbara Museum of Art will reveal a newly expanded, multi-floor wing in spring 2020, housing photography, Asian art and other exciting exhibits. To open the new wing, the museum will host an exhibit on Vincent van Gogh and his influences, “Through Vincent’s Eyes,” in October 2020. By presenting around 15 works of art by Van Gogh alongside more than 125 works of art selected to reflect the surprisingly varied art that he most admired, the landmark exhibition makes Santa Barbara one to watch on the art circuit.
It’s an Instagrammer’s dream
The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive in Santa Barbara is how pretty it is. Spanish colonial style architecture, pristine streets lined with shops, restaurants, wineries and boutiques, a gorgeous harbour and miles of sandy beaches make it a picture-perfect holiday destination. Delve a bit deeper and you’ll find that the interiors really live up to the city’s shiny exterior. Instagram’s great and good stay at the Martyn Lawrence Bullard-designed Hotel Californian, where Spanish colonial revival architecture and a modern Moorish vibe combine, creating a design infusion begging to be photographed.
It’s the perfect spot to rosé (or pinot) all day
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the cult-classic film Sideways brought worldwide fame for Santa Barbara wine country. Wine consumption increased in general while the demand for elegant, and highly quaffable, pinot noir shot up. The Oscar-winning movie was filmed almost entirely on-location throughout Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. Nowadays, you don’t need to trawl from vineyard to vineyard to get your hands on some of the destination’s celebrated bottles. Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail offers both novices and aficionados the opportunity to learn about and taste the wines of many different varieties and styles crafted by the County’s best winemakers. 30 wineries across the California city now make up the trail and can be explored by foot, bike or taxi.
Relax in the lap of luxury
Accommodation in Santa Barbara comes in many shapes and sizes. Curl up in a hillside hideaway like the iconic Belmond El Encanto, immerse yourself right in the action at Harbor View Inn’s brand new downtown wing or relax in the lap of luxury at Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito, which opened just last year. On a budget? No bother. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, lies El Capitan Canyon, a resort boasting fully furnished cedar-lined cabins with vaulted ceilings and French doors opening onto El Capitan Beach and offering incredible ocean views.
Live the true California beach life
After soaking the city’s food and culture, it’s time to hit the beach. With miles of sun-drenched and sandy coastline, there’s a spot to suit every type of traveller, from surf-seekers to families. Dog lovers should head to Arroyo Burro Beach, better known to locals as Hendry’s Beach, where pooches revel on the dog-friendly flat sands. If surfing is your bag, Leadbetter Beach is best for catching waves, while sophisticates will enjoy the pristine sands of Butterfly Beach, where cocktails can be taken at the nearby Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Heading closer to town, family-friendly East Beach is located next to Stearns Wharf, with lifeguard stations, a playground and cafés.
‘The chocolate scones look tempting but I advise you taste the patisseries first,’ our server advises.
As she walks away, my partner whispers: ‘Yeah but those scones smell so divine that I am diving in now.’
We are at the Fitz’s Bar at the Kimpton Fitzroy in Bloomsbury. Dark wood panelling, low-slung velvet sofas and a flamboyant disco ball offer a suitably decadent backdrop to a new afternoon tea entitled ‘Do you like chocolate?’
Three courses are paired with four chocolate-infused cocktails. The dishes are designed by pastry chef, Thibault Marchand, winner of Bake Off: The Professionals 2019 and the drinks by cocktail connoisseur, Sean Fennelly.
We begin, of course, with loose leaf tea by The Rare Tea Company. The Wild Rooibos and Indian Rose are delicate and flavoursome and are rounded off with the first alcoholic accompaniment, a refreshing champagne delight with cacao fruit eau-de-vie, jasmine and olive.
Our little cut-sandwiches arrive and I enjoy vegetarian delights of avocado, mushroom and artichoke whilst my partner indulges in smoked trout, goat’s curd and Tandoori chicken. The cocktail pairing is Mexican-inspired with lime, marigold, bay leaf and an Aguardiente spirit.
Then for the piece de resistance: two tiers of cakes, pastries and scones. The chocolate scones taste as great as they smell, served with jam, clotted cream and passionfruit curd. And the tiny pastries are exquisite with a tonka bean, lime and chocolate chou, a passionfruit, mango and chocolate slice and a mouthwatering coffee and chocolate tart.
There is also the traditional scone – although I must admit we did not quite get round to these. To cut through the chocolate hit of the desserts, we have a cherry wine and cherry blossom drink reminiscent of a black forest gateau.
I manage to squeeze in the final drink of the afternoon: a warming and spicy hot chocolate with French liqueur, Green Chartreuse, Stout and vanilla cream. I pass through the grand entrance of the Kimpton Fitzroy into the cool London winter on a chocolate high.
If you fancy a spot of indulgence in the capital to blast away the winter blues and you would like to try some of the very best cocoa pastries outside of Paris, head to Fitz’s at the Kimpton Fitzroy and get ready to truly answer the question: ‘do you like chocolate?’
Price:
£65 per person – including four cocktails.
£45 per person – including four non-alcoholic cocktails.
The chocolate afternoon tea is served in Fitz’s Friday – Saturday, 12:00pm to 3:00pm. For more information, visit kimptonfitzroylondon.com.
There are plenty of restaurants out there these days who like to use buzz words like ‘locally-sourced’ and ‘sustainable’ but do they deliver where it matters? Lino, situated between Farringdon and Barbican puts their money where their mouth is, so it isn’t just kitchen ingredients that are sustainably sourced but they’ve also upcycled restaurant decor fittings to offer a modern, industrial sheen to the proceedings with items like salvaged light fittings.
The kitchen team at Lino are just passionate chefs at heart so they pickle, ferment, bake and cure everything they use on their menu onsite. They mould their menu around what seasonal shrubs, vegetables, herbs, and fruits that are available.
Careful consideration has gone into every dish to ensure delivering a powerful taste memory long after you leave the restaurant. Sauerkraut and cheddar croquettes with truffle mayonnaise is one of their most popular dish and it’s not hard to see why that is the case with every mouthful an explosion of umami richness and particularly heartwarming during these wintry conditions. This was likewise the case for their celeriac and truffle soup, which was much thicker in viscosity and richness than I would normally expect from similar offerings elsewhere and it had a lovely textural contrast with the crunch from the toasted hazelnuts.
I am not normally the kind of diner that opts to go vegetarian for all my courses but I did find their Delica pumpkin ragu pasta topped with walnuts and stichelton irresistibly appealing. The dense, orange flesh of the Delica pumpkin helped to give the pasta a vivid, mouthwatering colour and the fruit itself has an intense, buttery flavour. On top, you can taste the slightly caramelised notes due to the higher sugar content.
My guest opted for the Yorkshire lamb which by all accounts was equally tasty especially as it was served with salt-baked turnips and black garlic and had a decent distribution between the fattier and leaner parts of the meat. Although we had no room to try most of the sides, it was interesting to see such a British classic like pigs in blankets appear on the menu.
Being next to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, I did wonder if most of their guests are consultants from the hospital or visitors to the hospital, but during our visit, there was a varied clientele from people on business meetings to just diners appreciative of the modern British culinary offering.
Don Papa, the premium small batch rum, has launched its newest product, the Sevillana Cask Finish – a limited edition, super-premium rum inspired by the oranges of Seville, Spain.
Blended by Don Papa’s Master Blender to produce a unique limited-edition spirit, the Sevillana Cask is bursting with fragrant orange and Don Papa’s signature vanilla notes, with boosts of orange rind flavours, nutty aromas and subtle dried fruits. House of Coco had the chance to sample the new rum at the launch party of the new product in London. The event was an energetic showcase of the new rum fit with passionate flamenco performances, delicious food and sublime cocktails.
Introducing Don Papa Sevillana: A Culinary Journey Inspired by Philippine Heritage
This harmony of flavours, rhythms and textures found both in the rum as well as at the launch event, is an ode to the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage. Sevillana is a blend of five and fifteen-year-old rums distilled from 100% Negros Island sugar cane before ageing in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels. This is followed by three years in two different types of Spanish casks: oloroso sherry casks and Andalusian Vino De Naranja (orange wine) casks. These unique casks are used to make a local speciality, a popular local Seville orange spirit, enjoyed during the summer months.
This mix of oloroso sherry casks, orange liqueur casks and Philippine rum found in the Don Papa Sevillana, was inspired and made possible by the 18th century Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, which linked Spain to the Philippines via Mexico, bringing a bounty of products, culture and influences.
The Sevillana Cask Finish is presented in an exquisite and vibrant Rococo-inspired design reflecting aspects of the island’s Spanish heritage, its lush colourful landscape and the irreverence of Papa Isio’s story, the revolutionary hero who inspired the Don Papa name. Don Papa Sevillana Cask Finish (70cl) is priced at £70 and available at www.harveynichols.com.
Matthias Cadeac d’arbaud, Global Brand Ambassador at Don Papa, says:
“Rum drinking is on the rise in the UK and people are realising that there is a whole world of rum for them to explore. The taste and provenance of Don Papa offers something completely unique to both rum amateurs and connoisseurs alike. Great rum starts with great sugar and Don Papa harnesses the spirit of Sugarlandia, an exotic, mystical land of alchemy and home to some of the world’s sweetest sugarcane. The result is a rich and smooth liquid full of depth and favour. Replace the spirit in your favourite cocktail with Don Papa to put a delicious Filipino twist on a classic or enjoy it on the rocks for a more intense and purer hit of favour and sweetness.”
Explore the genius-themed evening at TT Liquor in this behind-the-bar feature on House of Coco. Immerse yourself in the experience.
We took a trip back in time on our recent #cococouples date night at Cahoots new 1940s train-station-themed bar, and it was just the immersive experience we hoped it would be.
After much anticipation and excitement for the launch evening, we finally got to explore the newest Cahoots venue in Carnaby for #cococouples. What is already a fabulous area for date night has suddenly got even better with the opening of this new gem, and it’s flown straight to the top of our list for go-to date night recommendations. This shiny new train station bar is located very conveniently opposite the much-loved original underground station on Kingly Street- so no tricky transfers there. This venue boasts more space to swing dance fitting 150 people in total with two floors: one at ground level and another top-secret reservations-only space tucked away downstairs.
The Ticket Hall- ground floor fun
We were welcomed very graciously by the friendly doormen dressed in ’40s gear and headed straight to the glossy ticket window-turned-bar for a couple of drinks. Ever a gin-lover I opted for the statement Vera Lynn; a sweet cocktail with apple puree and pear served in the fanciest ceramic green mug. My date opted for the Cahooch sour with lemon, chamomile & cardamom syrup which seemed to go down very well- and we were soon in need of a second. We truly felt transported back in time as we lapped up our surroundings. Authentic tickets, vintage photographs and train station memorabilia lined the walls, and swing music played in the background whilst we sipped our cocktails and chatted. We felt peckish so we sampled some of Cahoots ham grenades with sour cream and chives, my goodness they were worth every bite, we almost polished off the entire trayful.
As well as these tasty night-time nibbles, Cahoots also serve food from 12 pm during the day, with a split menu of British and American dishes. We have yet to try these, but we have our eyes on the chicken and waffles and the sloppy joe bun, no doubt we will be back soon to sample them.
At the rear of The Ticket Hall, we discovered another small bar which Cahoots have modelled on a traditional tobacconist & grocery store. This was our favourite touch, and we spent a little while there admiring the vintage fridge and all the interesting newspaper clippings pinned up against the train station noticeboard.
Secret party vibes down in The Control Room
We were handed our ‘clock in’ passes to access the reservations-only Control Room, so we headed towards the convincing ‘NO ENTRY’ door and sneaked through. I loved the dark metallic walls and poster décor inside the derelict mineshaft as we made our way down the stairs, it really added to the secret speakeasy feel of the space. We could also hear the buzz of live music and chatting as we got closer, and the vibrant atmosphere of The Control Room hit us as soon as we swung open the doors.
Down here the décor is completely different from The Train Station upstairs but no less captivating. Exposed pipes, switchboards and the large light-up station map perched above the bar caught our eyes the most. We grabbed a booth table underneath the archways to chat and admire the space. Dim lights against the deep red decor alongside the live singer made for the perfect date night ambience. This amazing space is used for events, live entertainment and immersive movie nights, musical quiz nights and ‘Cahooch’ cocktail masterclasses.
The bar has a more experimental feel in The Control Room, serving up incredible cocktail concoctions like the cheekily named Knob Twiddler that is served in a radio box which you must tune to open. After sampling some more drinks we fancied a date-night boogie so we headed away from our booth and swayed alongside the Cahoots swing dancers.
To sum it up
If you want a date night spot that you’ll fall in love with fast then this is the place to go. We love the shiny new Cahoots just as much as the original for a date night that ticks all the boxes and more. Pop in and sample the nibbles perfectly paired with the fun and experimental cocktails served downstairs. We also recommend checking out what’s on and maybe catching a movie experience or cocktail class or two. We’ll certainly be keeping our eyes open for these ourselves.
Want to visit Cahoots? Of course, you do. We’ve got the details covered for you below:
For more information and to book a table: https://www.cahoots-london.com/cahoots-ticket-hall-control-room/
Opening Times: Ticket Hall: Open seven days a week: 12 pm-1 am Control Room: Monday – Thursday: 5 pm-1 am/ Friday: 4 pm-1 am/ Saturday: 4 pm-1 am/ Sunday: Closed
Amidst the hustle and bustle of York there are plenty of quaint cobbled streets to wander down and take time away from the busy shoppers off the beaten track. One of those streets is Little Stonegate, just a stone’s throw from the world-famous York Minster, yet it feels like it could be miles away from the crowds and bustling Yorkshire city.
Little Stonegate plays host to many different restaurants from across the globe, you’ll find British, Italian, Thai, Latin American, Spanish, American, and Caribbean. And, Caribbean is where #TeamCoco girl Rachel McAlley spent a lazy, relaxed, food filled afternoon dining at Turtle Bay.
The word reggae is written in neon lights above the Turtle Bay door, and once inside the restaurant, the sounds and the smells of the Caribbean hit you like a rum punch. The cocktails are intoxicating, the menu takes you through a journey of flavours, the music playlist includes ragga, reggae, salsa, calypso, dancehall and there’s a huge wall filled with speakers.
We opted for a couple of virgin passion punch mocktails (£4.50 each or 2-4-1 happy hour) and a ginger beer (£4) to ease our way from the Yorkshire chill into the Caribbean spirit while browsing the vast menu. First on our radar was the beach sharing platter (£14) which included jerk pit chicken wings, bbq pork ribs, coconut milk and panko fried squid, bara roti, cucumber chutney and pickled veg. The absolute best flavours from these sharers were the panko squid and the bbq ribs, mouthwateringly good in fact.
Our mains were difficult to choose because there were just so many, and as there is also a brand new brunch menu we didn’t know whether to go for the brunch option or for something from the main menu. We decided to stick with the classic mains, so our first choice was from the soul food section of the menu, 24-hour buttermilk marinated, panko coated chicken thighs, mac ‘n’ cheese and pickled vegetables (£10.90), our second main was from the burgers and roti section, which included the surf side burger; a fish patty, crispy squid, mango mole, rocket and jerk mayo (£7.50). The stand out dish was the fish patty burger, the combination of mango sauce, fried fish, and soft bread bun were totally scrumptious.
Not that we needed any side dishes, but obviously it would be rude not to, so we went for the three side plates option (£8) including spiced fries, dirty curry fries (+£1), and grilled halloumi cheese (+£1). ‘Hello’ to the dirty curry fries dripping in cheese, oh my word they were good!
With absolutely no room for dessert, we wobbled back out to the streets of York to join the mayhem of the Christmas markets, both seriously full and exceptionally fulfilled.
If you are in York and fancy a little Caribbean cuisine then Turtle Bay is a must visit, it will leave you feeling content and comforted.
We must give the brand new brunch menu a brief mention as it looked ace, the bottomless brunch includes any brunch dish from the menu with unlimited bellinis, cocktails (not part of happy hour), and unlimited draught red stripe (£25 per person).
Turtle Bay, 11 Little Stonegate, York, YO1 8AX 01904 733 995 www.turtlebay.co.uk
We all know Christmas can be an incredibly stressful affair, especially if you are the one preparing the festive feast for your whole family. You’ve got to cater to vegans, those with a nut-allergy and order in those all-important ingredients that will impress the extended family. You can ease those worries by checking out these top 5 Christmas cookery classes that are guaranteed to make you shine brighter than the star on top of your Christmas tree.
Best of British: Vegan Easy Christmas Class from The Avenue Cookery School
We all know plant-based means big business these days. The Avenue Cookery School is offering ‘traditional’ Christmas meals with a vegan twist. Expect items like nut roast, celeriac mash, Christmas pudding, and mince pies. This includes meal preparation, planning, and flavour inspiration and after a few hours of hard work, expect bottomless wine to be served whilst you enjoy the fruits of your labour.
The Perfect Christmas Cake courtesy of Divertimenti
Divertimenti is one of the most established cookery schools around having been established since 1963. Their teachers include industry greats such as Adam Byatt of Michelin-starred Trinity fame and Omar Allihbhoy of Tapas Revolution fame. With Bake Off still as popular as ever, they are offering a course to master the perfect Christmas cake led by Bee Berrie. She will show you how to personalise your light fruit Christmas cake to include your favourite fruits and flavours and also how to decorate the cake with foliage, berries and seasonal fruits.
Fin-tastic Festive Masterclass at Fishworks
For a festive cookery class with a difference, why not consider a seafood masterclass at Fishworks in Marylebone with their head fishmonger, Benny Yong. You’ll learn the art of shucking oysters, dressing crabs and curing your salmon. And whilst you enjoy the fruits of your new-found skills over lunch, they will offer individual wine pairings for each course along with festive sides.
Enjoy a Christmas party with a difference at Food at 52
The intimate vibes at Food at 52 Cookery School means it is always a great venue for team-bonding as well as picking up new skills. Their twist on the traditional Christmas menu is one of the most mouthwatering options you will find this season including dishes such as Goats’ cheese, beetroot and butternut squash filo tarts with parsnip veloute and orange and honey roast spatchcock poussin.
A Taste of Christmas Waitrose style
Waitrose cookery school often has the widest selection of cookery classes available and for their Christmas edition, you will learn how to entertain your family and guests by picking up new ideas and skills with the Waitrose team. This includes trying out their new exclusive Christmas products, getting tips on how to match cheese and wine and making classic and Christmas cocktails that will thrill the most demanding of audiences.
