Food at 52 Cookery School
BEST FOR
Ages 8-17
ENTRY
from £115
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Kids from 8 to 17 cook a full three or four course meal with a chef, then sit down and eat what they've made.
This isn't a watch-and-nibble class. Everyone at the long oak table gets their own gas ring and cooks 3 to 5 dishes start to finish, guided step by step by a chef, before the whole group sits down to eat what they've made. Most classes run 3.5 hours, with a shorter 2.5 hour option and a 6 hour Fish and Seafood class where older teenagers learn to fillet properly rather than just watch it happen.
Under-18s need a paying adult alongside them, which makes this more of a shared outing than a drop-off activity. That's not a bad thing if you fancy learning to fillet a sea bass yourself, but it does mean two tickets, not one. Prices start at £115 for the short class and climb to £175 for most full day sessions, £195 for the Fish and Seafood day. Full payment is taken at booking and it's non-refundable, so don't book on a whim if your evenings are unpredictable.
The venue itself is a converted space on Central Street, a ten minute walk from Old Street or Angel tube, with a car park nearby but only limited spaces on the street itself. There's no wheelchair access, since you get to the kitchen via a staircase, which is worth knowing before you commit. If you're marking a birthday or just want a proper hands-on afternoon rather than another trip to the cinema, this is the one that leaves you with a fed stomach and a new skill, not just a photo.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 to 17, best with a keen teen and a parent cooking alongside
- Parking
- Car park nearby. Limited street parking
- How long to allow
- 3.5 to 4 hours for cook and dine events
- Getting there by bus or train
- Old Street tube 10 min walk. Angel tube 10 min walk
- Parties
- Private cooking classes from £150pp (3.5 hours) for groups from 12 people
- Full cost is charged at booking and transactions are non-refundable
- Under-18s must be booked alongside a paying adult
- The Fish and Seafood class is the longest at 6 hours and covers filleting
- Smart phone maps sometimes point to the wrong spot, so look out for the Best One Convenience Store next door
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£115 per person for the 2.5 hour class, £145 for a half day, £175 for most full day classes, and £195 for the 6 hour Fish and Seafood class. Full payment is taken when you book.
What age can join?
Ages 8 to 17 can take part as long as a paying adult books alongside them. Adults can also book alone from 18 up.
Do we need to book in advance?
Yes, booking is required and full payment is due at that point.
Can we cancel or change the date if plans fall through?
Changes made 28 or more days before are free. Between 14 and 28 days it's a £25 per person fee, and within 14 days no changes are allowed at all, though you can send someone else in your place.
How long does a class actually take?
Sessions run 2.5, 3.5, 4 or 6 hours depending on which class you pick, with cook and dine events typically taking 3.5 to 4 hours including the meal at the end.
What do the kids actually cook?
Everyone cooks 3 to 5 dishes across starters, mains, sides and dessert at their own gas ring, guided by a chef, then eats the results together round the table.
Is there parking?
There's a car park nearby but street parking right outside is limited, so leave time to find a space or walk from it.
What if someone has a food allergy?
Contact the school in advance to check the course suits you, but they can't fully guarantee against allergen traces since other cooks in the room may be using that ingredient.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's no wheelchair access because the kitchen is reached via a staircase from the entrance.
See all Cooking & Baking Classes in London · Things to do in London
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