Acclaimed cookery school in Notting Hill offering hands-on classes in British classics from perfect roast chicken to Eton mess and traditional bread-making. Professional techniques taught in well-equipped kitchens.
Leiths School of Food and Wine is one of the United Kingdom's most respected professional cookery schools, founded in 1975 by chef and restaurateur Prue Leith and based in St Alban's Grove, Notting Hill, West London. In the five decades since its founding, Leiths has trained thousands of professional chefs and home cooks, establishing its professional diploma as a recognised qualification in the UK hospitality industry. Recreational classes open to the public run alongside the school's full-time diploma programme and cover British classics and international cuisines across single-session and multi-week formats. Single-session recreational classes last three to four hours and take place in Leiths' well-equipped teaching kitchens in Notting Hill. The curriculum for recreational attendees focuses on British culinary traditions: a roast chicken class teaches jointing, trussing, and the preparation of proper pan gravy; a bread-making session introduces both commercial and wild yeast fermentation, shaping, and scoring; and dessert classes cover Eton mess, treacle tart, Victoria sponge, and classic British pastry. Professional techniques are demonstrated by a qualified tutor before students work hands-on at individual or shared workstations, receiving feedback throughout the cooking process rather than only at the end. At the conclusion of each session, participants sit down together to eat the food they have prepared, with wine pairing suggestions incorporated into some formats. Printed recipe cards for all dishes prepared are included for participants to take home. Single-session recreational classes are priced between £120 and £180 per person depending on the format and ingredient cost. All ingredients and an apron are provided by the school. The Notting Hill location is a five-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate station on the Central and Circle lines, in a neighbourhood known for its independent food shops and restaurants along Portobello Road. Group bookings for private events including corporate team-building and celebrations are accommodated, and private sessions can be tailored to a requested cuisine or technique.
Good to know
- Operator
- Leiths School of Food and Wine
Highlights
- Hands-on cooking in professional teaching kitchens at a UK cookery school founded in 1975 by Prue Leith
- British classics curriculum: roast chicken with pan gravy, Eton mess, treacle tart, and sourdough bread-making
- Individual workstations with tutor feedback throughout the session; participants eat what they prepare at a shared table
- Printed recipe cards for all dishes prepared provided to take home and recreate independently
- Five-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate station on the Central and Circle lines
Tips for visiting
- Book recreational single-session classes several weeks in advance — pastry and bread-making formats fill fastest
- Dress comfortably and in layers as professional teaching kitchens run warm; the school provides aprons
- Most single-session classes assume some basic kitchen competence — the school's booking platform lists the recommended experience level for each class
- Inform the school of food allergies at booking; many classes can be adjusted for common dietary requirements
- Multi-week evening courses suit visitors staying in London for several weeks; single sessions are ideal for one-off visits
Frequently asked questions
Do participants need prior cooking experience to attend a public class at Leiths?
Most recreational classes are designed for competent home cooks rather than complete beginners, though skill levels vary across sessions. Leiths offers some introductory sessions accessible to beginners; the recommended experience level is listed for each class on the booking platform.
What is included in the price of a single-session class?
The listed price covers all ingredients, an apron, tutor time, and printed recipe cards. Students eat the food they prepare at the end of the session. Drinks and additional materials are not included in the base price.
Can a Leiths class be purchased as a gift?
Leiths offers gift vouchers for recreational classes available directly from the school's booking platform in fixed denominations or for specific class formats. Vouchers can be redeemed against any publicly available session.
Is Leiths suitable for group bookings?
The school accepts group bookings for private events including hen parties, birthday celebrations, and corporate team-building sessions. Private classes can often be tailored to a specific cuisine or technique on request.