Learn to make authentic Italian food like mama makes (if she's Italian). Here are just a few of the great Italian classes around the country that we recommend you try to perfect your pasta and your get your tiramisu tip top.
LONDON AND SURROUNDS
La Cucina Caldesi
Take an Italian class at La Cucina Caldesi, the husband-and-wife-run school in the heart of London. Taught by celebrity chefs, cooks, food writers and wine experts, the extensive range includes half day, one day and ongoing weekly courses, such as the seven-week Complete Italian Cookery Course (£550). Alternatively, you could try one of the evening classes such as Fresh Pasta for Novices, which runs monthly and costs £75. For kids there’s Italian Mama’s Cookery Club with classes for 6-12 year olds and 13-16 year olds. If you’re still finding it hard to find a class to suit Caldesi also offers tailor-made courses for your specific needs.
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Leiths School of Food and Wine
Renowned West London-based Leiths School of Food and Wine offers specialist Italian classes for enthusiasts including one day workshops led by chef Silvia Maccari, a born and bred Italian from Tuscany with her own cookery school in Florence. Leiths are currently updating the classes.
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Divertimenti
The Divertimenti Cookery School offers a range of classes for novice and experienced cooks in three different locations. Two in London – the Marylebone High Street school and the Brompton Road cookery theatre - and one in Cambridge. Divertimenti runs an array of Italian cookery morning and afternoon courses including Truly Madly Pasta in Cambridge; and Entertaining Italian Style or Growing Gourmets – Pint-Sized Pizza & Pasta – in Marylebone for 10-16 year olds. Prices range from £40-£99 for 2-4 hours. Classes can have up to 32 people or smaller groups of up to 12 for hands-on lessons.
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Enrica Rocca Cookery School
Italian-born cook Enrica Rocca has cookery schools in both London and Venice. Learning about how to get the best out of London produce, Enrica aims to help you find the right ingredients to cook great Italian food. Enrica runs her Portobello Market one day cooking class on Fridays and her Borough Market one day cooking class on Saturdays. Both run from 9am-6pm and cost £170 per person or £300 for two. The days begin at the market, spending the morning learning about ingredients and what to buy, before returning to Enrica’s kitchen in West London for an afternoon of tuition and cooking. In Venice, the school runs half day and one day classes that start at €120.
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Smashing Pans
Set up by chef Keith Burke, Smashing Pans aims to give students a full culinary experience. With a maximum of five students to one class, Keith teaches both demonstration only and practical classes. His ‘Made in Italy’ day cookery course runs from 10am-3pm on weekdays. Including focaccia bread and antipasto, Italian vegetables, risotto, fresh pasta and tiramisu the course aims to get you cooking like an Italian mama. The day costs £145 and includes all the ingredients, snacks, drinks, expert advice and tuition, all cooking equipment including aprons and you get to take home what you cook. The course is designed for all levels; you can also request one-to-one tuition and private group classes.
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MIDLANDS
Seasoned Cookery School
Sara Danesin, finalist of Masterchef 2011 is teaching inspirational Italian courses with Seasoned Cookery School in Derbyshire. Sara is passionate about sharing her Italian heritage and her one / two day courses will inspire you to cook Masterchef standard food at home. Set in a beautiful corner of Derbyshire why not stay over and explore the Peak District at the same time. Courses priced from £99-£149
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SOUTHEAST
Ashdown Manna Cookery School
In the heart of Sussex, Ashdown Manna Cookery School specialises in one-day hands-on themed courses, using fresh seasonal local produce and organic ingredients wherever possible. There is a four day Italian course starting on 8 January 2011 with Peter Bayless, winner of Masterchef 2006. The course runs from 10am-4pm and costs £125, including a three course lunch with wiine. The maximum group size is eight and courses are designed for all abilities. The school is at Cumnor House in a converted dairy building set in 62 acres of beautiful countryside on the edge of Ashdown Forest, making this a relaxing day out.
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SOUTHWEST
The Gables School of Cookery
The Gables conduct a one day Italian Cookery Course at the Cotswold’s based school. Running from 10am-4pm, the course aims to teach you about the tools and techniques best utilised to achieve authentic Italian cuisine and how to make traditional Italian meals, including pasta from scratch and calamari. Best suited to those with a basic to intermediate level of cooking skills, the course costs £135 (£145 from 2011) and, as a well-known cookery school, places run out quickly so book early.
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NORTHWEST
Lucy Cooks Cookery School
Lucy Cooks Cookery School in the Lake District has Italian courses running throughout the year. Every month there’s A Taste of Italy day course. The next one will be on 4 November and costs £130 for the day. There’s also An Italian Demo (£40) in 2011. You will be given a tour of the school, drinks, demonstrations and dinner in the Aga kitchen.
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NORTHEAST
Casa Mia Cookery and Wine Classes
Casa Mia run three Italian restaurants and shops in Leeds. One of them, Casa Mia Grande, turns into a cookery school on Sundays where a series of Masterclasses take place throughout the year. These classes are held at both 11am and 2:30pm every Sunday and last up to three hours. All classes cost £42.95 and are finished off with a sit down two course meal to sample the delights you have just made.
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SCOTLAND
Edinburgh School of Food and Wine
Set in a beautiful converted 18th century coach house on the outskirts of the city, the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine runs a one day Italian Cookery course for £120 and an Italian Food and Wine evening for £55. Day courses begin at 10am and consist of short demonstrations, practical cookery sessions, discussions and tastings. The Italian Food and Wine evening offers a five course Italian menu accompanied by Italian wines carefully selected to match each dish and an experienced wine connoisseur on hand to guide you through the tasting.
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Nick Nairn Cook School
Celebrity chef, restaurant owner and entrepreneur Nick Nairn set up his cookery school in 2000. Set on the shore of the Lake of Menteith in the Trossachs National Park, the converted old piggery has two Italian cookery courses, Simple Italian and More Simple Italian – both led by resident chef John Webber. Both are day courses that cost £185 (if you book online you can save £20). The menu includes gnocchi piedmontaise with rocket and walnut pesto, ricotta and Parma ham cannelloni and clotted cream panacotta with lemon caramel and orange biscotti. Classes run monthly on Thursdays, Fridays or Sundays.
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