How long is the masterclass?

The session is approximately three hours, including demonstrations, hands-on cooking and tasting.

Is the class wheelchair accessible?

Yes — the venue is wheelchair accessible.

What age do participants need to be?

Participants must be 15 years or older; 15–17 year olds must book with a supervising, paying adult.

Are ingredients and aprons provided?

Yes — all ingredients, equipment and aprons are provided during the class.

Can I attend if I’m vegetarian or gluten-free?

This class is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, dairy-free or gluten-free diets.

What is the cancellation policy?

You must give at least seven days’ notice to receive a full refund or to reschedule the class without extra cost.

Hidden Italy with Gennaro Contaldo: London Masterclass in Lost Recipes | Cooking Class | Food Tour

At 300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX, UK, the Cookery School stages GENNARO CONTALDO: HIDDEN ITALY, a three-hour masterclass that sends you on a culinary field trip through lesser-known Italian regions without leaving the city. Gennaro Contaldo guides a small group through hands-on techniques—making semolina dough, shaping malloreddus by hand, and baking a Lake Como–style trout—each recipe rooted in a town or coastal tradition he loves. The room smells of toasted semolina and citrus; knives tap a steady rhythm; a brioche rises under the watchful eye of an expert. You’ll work in pairs to recreate Torta di farro, Malloreddus alla campidanese, Trota comasca and Polacca aversana, then sit at the chef’s table to taste what you’ve made. All ingredients, equipment and aprons are supplied, and every participant takes home a copy of Gennaro’s book, Hidden Italy, so the lessons continue in your own kitchen. What makes this class special for visitors to London is its fidelity to regional technique. Rather than teaching generic ‘Italian’ fare, the masterclass revives specific dishes tied to Italy’s plains, mountains, lakes and coasts—recipes that have slipped from home kitchens into memory. For food-focused travelers, the session is a concentrated cultural exchange: cooking as a way to learn geography, seasonality and the role of humble ingredients like anchovies and spelt. Practical details are straightforward. The experience runs about three hours and is wheelchair accessible; participants must be 15 or older, and the school asks for seven days’ notice for full refunds. Note the class is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans or guests with dairy-free or gluten-free needs. If you travel light, the location on Oxford Street puts you close to markets, specialty shops and transport links, so it pairs well with a walking food tour or a day of market-hopping. This isn’t a showy demonstration. It’s a craft-forward session focused on technique, texture and timing. For home cooks it’s invaluable: learn how semolina behaves, why citrus and anchovy lift a trout, and how shaping malloreddus changes sauce adhesion. For travelers, it’s a rare chance to carry a pocket of Italy home—recipes, a signed book and a set of practiced motions that will reshape your weeknight cooking. If you want authentic regional flavor in a compact, well-run format in the heart of London, this masterclass earns a spot on your itinerary. Book early to secure a hands-on station; classes fill quickly during tourist seasons and weekends. The pace balances demonstration with practice so you leave with reproducible techniques rather than theatre. Whether you’re a confident cook or a curious beginner, this session translates regional Italian identity into tactile skills—an education in flavor, provenance and the quiet craft of ingredient-driven cooking. Bring an appetite and a camera, too.

About The Jamie Oliver Cookery School

The Jamie Oliver Cookery School in London offers hands-on and online cooking classes across two central venues and virtual sessions. Classes range from short cuisine-focused evenings to multi-hour masterclasses, covering Spanish paella, Thai curries, Vietnamese street food, Mexican street food, pasta making, bread baking, sushi, bao, gnocchi, rendang, ceviche and regional Indian thalis.

Sessions listed at Oxford Street and Islington HQ include practical chef’s table dining, live demonstrations, group work and step-by-step instruction. Several experiences provide a digital recipe pack or take-home curry paste, while family-friendly and kids-focused sessions appear as “Kids learn for free” listings for subjects such as baking, pasta and sushi. Online classes replicate the hands-on format with live demos, real-time guidance and downloadable recipes for at-home cooking.

The school’s programme includes specialist masterclasses—pasta masters, knife skills, showstopping ravioli, bread baking and seasonal events like Christmas cooking and gluten-free festive baking. Variety spans vegetarian and vegan options, seafood technique classes and regional street-food menus, enabling cooks at different levels to build practical skills. Booking information and schedules are published for Oxford Street and Islington HQ sessions and for online ticketed events. The Jamie Oliver Cookery School is featured on The Adventure Collective, reinforcing visibility to travellers and food enthusiasts seeking reputable cooking experiences in London. Whether seeking an in-person chef’s table experience or an interactive online class, the school presents a range of structured, cuisine-specific workshops designed to teach practical techniques and recipes for home cooking. Participants leave confident to recreate dishes at home with clear guidance.