During the recent school holidays, families in London had the opportunity to participate in interactive cooking classes designed for children at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School. Located within John Lewis's flagship store on Oxford Street, the school offers lessons catering to various ages and skill levels, including parent-child sessions, making it a popular choice for weekend or holiday activities.

One such class focused on pasta making, led by instructor Holly, a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and former private chef. The session began with participants preparing pasta dough by mixing and kneading ingredients, a hands-on activity that engaged the children effectively. Holly and her assistant, Robin, provided guidance while encouraging the young cooks to experiment independently.

While the dough rested, the instructor introduced a simple tomato, basil, and garlic sauce recipe, notable for requiring no cooking or chopping—only the grating of raw tomatoes. Following this, the children used pasta machines to roll and thin the dough before cutting it into various shapes including tagliatelle, angel hair, and farfalle. The participants demonstrated care and precision, enjoying the tactile process that was likened to “grown-up Play-Doh.”

The final stage involved boiling the freshly made pasta and combining it with the prepared sauce. The class concluded with a communal lunch in the school’s dining area, where the children tasted their creations, many expressing delight at the flavors. The experience was intended not only to teach culinary skills but also to provide an enjoyable family activity during the school break.

The Jamie Oliver Cookery School offers other specialty courses including meatball making, Mexican street food, sushi, ravioli, Thai green curry, and bread baking, broadening options for those interested in diverse cuisines. Classes featuring both adults and children are priced at £75 per participant.

Overall, the cookery school provides an engaging environment for children to learn cooking techniques, fostering independence and confidence in the kitchen, while offering parents a convenient solution for holiday programming.