Tired of the same old routine? Desperate to try something new? Here’s the answer.

Essential Foodie Events: Cookery Master Classes

Ever look at celebrity chefs on the TV and fancy having a go at rustling up a poached cod or some roasted scallops? Well now’s your chance with expert cookery master classes.

Celebrity chefs and famous restaurants all over the capital are piping up and offering cooking demonstrations and cookery master classes, so that now you too can puree a beetroot or whip up a mango mousse while throwing a hissy fit like Gordon Ramsay. Ideal for the next time your parents/in-laws/gastro-snob mates invite themselves round to dinner, watch their amazement as you present them with a three course gourmet wonder.

Here’s a selection of some of London’s finest food courses and details of how to get yourself on to one.

Where: Billingsgate Seafood Training School, E14
When: Evening courses, full day and half day courses
How much: £35.00 - £190.00 depending on the course
What’s good about it: An amazing variety of fish-related cookery courses, some including guided tours of Billingsgate fish market. Proceeds go towards helping them to offer free tours and nutritional information to schoolchildren.
Where: Underground Cookery School, EC2
When: Evening class including a three-course meal
How much: £70.00
What’s good about it: Fun and informal. Chef/Patron Matt Kemp worked at The Ivy, The River Café and Pont de la Tour.
Where: Dans Le Noir, EC1
When: Varies month to month – contact the restaurant for dates a month ahead
How much: £39.00 then £29.00 per guest
What’s good about it: The sensory experience – once you've cooked the meal, you and the friends you've invited eat it in the dark.

To book e-mail bookings@danslenoir.com

Where: Almeida, N1
When: Evening course on the second Tuesday of every month
How much: £95.00
What’s good about it: An insight into French cuisine. Chef Ian Wood focuses on a different ingredient each month, from lamb to shellfish or game.
Where: Tom Aikens, SW3
When: Daytime on a Saturday. Usually 2nd or 3rd Saturday of the month.
How much: £120.00, £60.00 per person for the wine course and £165.00 for the same day packages.
What’s good about it: The fiery and fiercely talented Tom Aikens shares his culinary tips in a cooking demonstration on a particular theme in his own restaurant kitchen, and answers questions as he cooks. Courses with wine expert Gearold Devaney are available as well, and you can sign up for the two courses for the same day.

To book e-mail natalie@tomaikens.co.uk

Where: Divertimenti Cookery School, W1 and SW3
When: Daytime and evening courses
How much: £25.00 - £90.00
What’s good about it: A world tour of different countries’ cuisines, each taught by an expert.
Where: La Cucina Caldesi, W1
When: Morning and evening courses
How much: £55.00 - £120.00
What’s good about it: The Italian expertise and huge range of courses available, including courses tailor made for groups.
Where: Leiths School of Food and Wine, W8
When: 10 week evening course
How much: £610.00. Half-day course, £100.00
What’s good about it: General, practical courses aimed at improving confidence in the kitchen.
Where: Tasting Places, courses held at various top London restaurants
When: Two hour courses
How much: £200.00
What’s good about it: The chance to attend master classes with top chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Angela Hartnett.
Where: Paul, WC2
When: Three hour afternoon classes, once a month
How much: £75.00 including afternoon tea
What’s good about it: Bread making master classes from this top French bakery and patisserie offer you the chance to become a master baker in no time.
Where: Villandry, W1
When: Saturday afternoons from 1.30pm
How much: Free and first come first served
What’s good about it: The Little People’s Cookie Classes will entice the children in your life into gourmet cookery at a young age.