Jamie Oliver Cookery School, Islington
BEST FOR
Ages 8-14
ENTRY
from £30
WHERE
London
What it’s like
A hands-on cookery class where kids aged 8 to 14 cook alongside a paying adult, from pasta to sushi.
This is a proper cooking class, not a kids' activity centre with a chef's hat thrown in. Adult classes cover things like Italian favourites, sushi, a north Indian thali or a flying visit to Spain, most around £75 for two hours of cooking and then eating what you've made. There are pricier one-off sessions too, like Gennaro Contaldo's Hidden Italy at £189 or a pie-making class with Calum Franklin at £150, and an online Spain class if you fancy doing it from your own kitchen for £30.
The bit that matters for families is Kids Learn For Free: one paying adult cooks alongside one child aged 8 to 14, currently on the pasta and sushi classes, at weekends and school holidays. Under-8s aren't allowed in at all, and there's a genuinely practical reason: your child needs to reach the 900mm kitchen surface without standing on a stool. Worth a quick check at home before you book if you've got a shorter eight-year-old.
They're clear that group bookings for children's parties aren't something they do here, so this isn't the venue for a birthday do with ten mates. It's one adult, one child, working a station together for two hours. Teens aged 15 to 17 have a bit more freedom and can join the regular adult classes alongside a paying adult, which opens things up if you've got an older one who's serious about food rather than just along for the ride.
Turn up in something you don't mind getting a bit of flour on. Aprons are provided, but they ask you to skip loose clothing, open-toed shoes and jewellery that might get in the way at the hob.
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 to 14, alongside a paying adult; teens 15-17 can join adult classes
- Wear something you don't mind getting messy, loose clothes and open-toed shoes are out
- Kids Learn For Free covers pasta and sushi classes only, weekends and school holidays
- Rescheduling needs 7 days notice, so double check the date before booking
- Tell them about allergies or dietary needs when you book, not on the day
Plan your visit
Can my child do a normal cooking class?
Not on their own. Under-8s aren't permitted at all, and 8 to 14 year olds can only join a Kids Learn For Free session alongside a paying adult. Teens aged 15 to 17 can join regular adult classes if a paying adult goes with them.
How much does it cost?
Most adult classes are £75 for two hours. Kids Learn For Free means the adult pays and the child cooks alongside them for nothing, on the pasta and sushi classes at weekends and school holidays.
Do you do children's birthday parties?
No group bookings for kids, sadly. It's built around one adult cooking with one child, not a party of friends.
What if my child can't reach the worktop?
They need to reach the 900mm surface without a stool. It's worth measuring at home if you're not sure, rather than finding out on the day.
Can we cancel if someone's poorly?
Don't come in if you're unwell or contagious. Rescheduling needs at least 7 days notice, so a last-minute sniffle won't get you a new date easily.
Is there wine or drinks available?
There's a wine menu from £7.25 a glass, and beer from £5.45 a bottle, plus soft drinks. You can't bring your own, so pre-order if you fancy a glass with your class.
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