•How it works
From hungry
to apron
Everything you need to know before you enquire: what happens, what’s included, who it’s for and how we handle dietary needs.
01The process
Four steps,
no stress
Send an enquiry
Choose a workshop and tell us who’s coming, your preferred timings and any dietary needs.
We reply
Within two working days, by email, with availability and the confirmed price.
Confirm together
We agree numbers and details in writing, including any deposit arrangements. Nothing is charged through this website.
Come and cook
Turn up hungry. We supply everything; you supply the appetite.
02What’s included
Included,
and not
Included in every workshop
- All ingredients, shopping and preparation
- Aprons, knives and all the equipment you need, including shared hobs and ovens
- Guidance from an experienced chef-tutor
- A shared meal from what you cook
- Printed recipe cards to take home
- Tea, coffee and sparkling water
- The washing up. Truly.
Worth bringing
- Closed, comfortable shoes
- A clean jar or container if you want to take extra home (we supply jars for some workshops)
- Hair tied back if it’s long
- An appetite
Not included
- Travel and parking
- Additional drinks beyond those listed for your session
03Group sizes
Small by
design
- 8–10 guests
- Maximum 10
- Private hire available
For larger groups, ask us about possible alternative arrangements.
04FAQ
Questions,
answered
The experience
What actually happens in a workshop?
You arrive, put on an apron and get a short welcome and tasting. A chef-tutor then guides you through each dish at your own station, with demonstrations at key moments. Everything you cook is shared at a table at the end of the session.
How hands-on is it?
Very. You chop, whisk, season and plate yourself. We demonstrate technique, then you do it. There is no watching someone else cook for an hour.
How long do workshops last?
Between 90 minutes and two and a half hours, depending on the programme. Durations are shown on every workshop page and include time to eat.
Will I eat what I cook?
Yes. Each session finishes with a shared meal made from the dishes you have prepared. Some programmes also send you home with jars or notes.
Is it right for me?
I’m a complete beginner. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Our workshops welcome beginners, with techniques introduced step by step. Small Plates, Big Energy suits confident beginners who are happy to try several dishes at once. Confident cooks usually learn something new too.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself and an appetite. We provide aprons, knives, equipment and all ingredients. Long hair tied back and closed shoes are sensible.
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely. Solo guests are very welcome, and the small-group format makes it easy to join in.
Are children welcome?
Our public workshops are for adults. We can talk about private group sessions that include older teenagers; please ask in your enquiry.
Dietary requirements
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Many dishes are vegetarian, and we can discuss suitable adaptations when you enquire.
What about allergies?
Our studio handles gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, sesame, fish and shellfish. We take allergies seriously and will talk through them with you, but we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Please read our terms for details.
Group sizes and private sessions
How many people are in a public workshop?
Our studio hosts small groups of 8–10 guests, with a maximum of 10 per session. Solo guests are welcome.
Can we book the whole studio for our group?
Yes. Every private event includes exclusive use of the studio for your group of 8–10 guests. You cook in pairs or small teams at shared stations. See the private events page and send an enquiry.
Do you offer gift experiences?
Not through an online shop at the moment. If you would like to give a workshop to someone, mention it in an enquiry and we will talk through the options.
Enquiries, prices and changes
How does the enquiry process work?
Send an enquiry from any workshop or from the contact page. We reply by email within two working days with dates and next steps. Nothing is booked or charged until we have agreed details together.
Can I book online?
No. We deliberately keep things conversational, so we can match you with the right workshop and date. Workshop buttons on this site send enquiries, not reservations.
Are the prices fixed?
Prices shown are indicative per-person starting points and may vary with date, group size and menu. We confirm the exact price in writing before you commit.
What if I need to change or cancel?
The cancellation, rescheduling and deposit refund policy is set out in our Terms and Conditions and applies to workshops and private events. Your confirmation email records the date, price, deposit amount and payment dates before you commit.
Still wondering? Send us an enquiry and ask away.
