Cooking It
BEST FOR
Ages 14+
ENTRY
from £50
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Hands-on cookery classes on Gloucester Road for adults and teens from 14, with hen, stag and birthday parties from £50 a head.
This is a cookery school, not a family kitchen session, and the minimum age is 14: under that, nobody gets through the door, even babies, because of insurance. Above that age it opens right up. Classes run daily and cover proper hands-on cooking, with tuition and ingredients included in the price. Adult classes range from £65 up to £180 depending on what you're making, and there's a fully licensed bar selling beer, wine, cider and soft drinks during the session if you fancy a glass while you chop.
Where it gets more interesting for a day out is the party side. Hen and stag dos run from £50 a person with exclusive use of the place, and birthday or get-together parties are the same price. There's also a children's party option from £300, doing things like doughnut baking for birthday cakes, cupcake decorating or a pizza party, which is really a teens-and-up affair given the age rule rather than something for younger siblings to tag along to.
A few things are worth knowing before you book. Timing is strict: turn up more than five minutes early and you'll be waiting outside, arrive late and they can't recap what you've missed, and classes finish close to schedule regardless. You eat what you've cooked, but generally only 20 to 30 minutes before the end, so this isn't a quick bite between courses. Bring your own apron and a container for leftovers; the venue's aprons need a 90-degree wash even when clean, so understandably they'd rather you brought your own.
It's on Gloucester Road, five minutes from Redland and Montpelier train stations with a bus stop directly opposite, which makes it easy enough without a car. If you are driving, the residential streets around Bishopston and Redland do free parking after 5pm, but Gloucester Road itself has restrictions at rush hour on weekdays.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 14 and up only; under that age isn't admitted, even to watch
- Parking
- Free off-street parking in residential streets in Bishopston
- Food
- Fully licensed bar with beer, wine, cider, soft drinks and hot drinks available during classes for purchase with debit or credit card
- Getting there by bus or train
- Five minutes' walk from Redland and Montpelier train stations
- Parties
- Hen, stag, birthday and children's parties with exclusive use
- Minimum age is 14 across the board, no exceptions for babies or children in adult classes
- Bring your own apron and a container for leftovers
- Gift vouchers last 12 months and can't be extended, but work across all classes
- Arrive no more than five minutes early; latecomers miss the recap
- Restaurant is five minutes from Redland and Montpelier stations with a bus stop opposite
Plan your visit
How much does a class cost?
Adult classes range from £65 to £180 depending on which one you book. Hen, stag and birthday parties are £50 a person, and children's parties (for over-14s only) start at £300.
Can I bring my child along to a normal class?
Children and babies can't be accommodated in adult classes, whatever the reason, because of insurance. The minimum age across classes is 14.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking is required for classes and parties. It's all done online in advance rather than turning up on spec.
What happens if I can't make the date?
Transfers need at least six weeks' notice, and short-notice changes aren't possible for any reason, including illness or bad weather. You can send someone else in your place instead.
Is food and drink included?
Ingredients and tuition are included in the class price. Drinks are sold separately during the class by card, or you can bring your own with an £8.50 per person corkage charge.
Can you cater for allergies or dietary needs?
Sometimes, if you flag it when booking and give at least 10 days' notice, possibly with a surcharge. They can't guarantee the complete absence of allergens because of how ingredients are stored and prepared.
How long does a class take and when do we eat?
You eat what you've made, but usually only 20 to 30 minutes before the class ends, so it's not a quick in-and-out. Classes start on time and arriving early or late means missing part of it.
Is there parking?
There's off-street parking nearby but it's restricted 8 to 9.30am and 4.30 to 6.30pm on weekdays. Free parking on residential streets in Redland after 5pm and in Bishopston.
What can we do for a birthday or hen do?
Hen, stag and birthday parties get exclusive use from £50 a person. Options include doughnut baking for birthday cakes, cupcake decorating or a pizza party.
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