Pasta, Laughter & A Dash of Flour: Our Day at Jamie Oliver’s Cookery School in London
- At Deya
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
When we signed up for the Pasta Master class at Jamie Oliver’s Cookery School in London, we expected to roll out some dough and maybe snap a few cute pics. What we didn’t expect was to walk away with genuinely new skills, incredible memories, and an appetite for making pasta from scratch forever.
A Warm Welcome (and Aprons!)
From the moment we walked into the school, nestled in North London, near Highbury & Islington Borough of London, we were greeted by the comforting scent of flour and garlic, mixed with the hum of excited chatter and clinking pans. It felt less like a formal class and more like walking into someone’s homey kitchen—one where everything smells delicious and you instantly feel at ease.
We were handed our aprons, gathered around rustic workbenches dusted in flour, and met our instructor for the day—a charismatic, funny, and incredibly talented chef who made the whole room feel like a group of old friends getting together to cook dinner. Whether you were a total kitchen novice or a confident home cook, the class was accessible, inclusive, and brilliantly paced.
The Dough Basics – Surprisingly Therapeutic
We kicked things off by learning how to make pasta dough from scratch. No machines, no shortcuts—just eggs, flour, our hands, and a whole lot of love. There's something oddly meditative about kneading dough—watching the ingredients come together, feeling the texture change, and knowing that soon this humble lump of flour and egg will turn into silky strands of pasta.
What made this part so special was the attention to detail from our chef. They didn’t just tell us what to do—they showed us exactly how to do it, from the right way to whisk your eggs into the flour volcano to understanding when your dough is “just right.” They were also incredibly patient, answering every question with a smile and a helpful tip.
Roll, Cut, Shape – The Fun Part!
Once our dough had rested, it was time to roll it out and get creative. Using traditional pasta rollers, we turned our dough into delicate ribbons of tagliatelle and adorable farfalle (bow ties). The hands-on nature of this step was pure joy—there was laughter, a bit of floury chaos, and a lot of satisfaction as our pasta shapes started to take form.
This is also where you start to realize just how much care goes into every handmade bowl of pasta at a good Italian restaurant. It’s a skill, yes—but it’s also an art. And now we had the basics down, too.
Time to Cook (and Eat!)
With our pasta ready, we moved over to the stoves to prepare a simple yet insanely flavorful mushroom cream sauce. The ingredients were top quality—fragrant herbs, rich cream, and earthy mushrooms that made the whole room smell like a trattoria in Tuscany.
Watching the transformation of raw ingredients into a glossy, indulgent dish was deeply satisfying. And once we tossed our fresh pasta in the sauce, plated it, and took our first bite? Absolute heaven. The texture of the handmade pasta was next-level—it had that perfect bite, and the sauce clung to it like it was made just for it (which, to be fair, it was).
The Verdict: 10/10 Would Do It Again
If you're looking for a fun, engaging activity in London that leaves you with full bellies and new skills, this class is an absolute must. Whether you're a couple looking for a unique date idea, friends wanting to try something new, or a family with older kids who love to cook, Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Master class is a winner.
It’s a beautiful way to connect over food, learn from incredibly talented chefs, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the humble pasta noodle.
We’ll 100% be back to try more classes—maybe the Thai street food or knife skills next time.
For now, we’re just trying to recreate that pasta magic in our own kitchen… and honestly, we’re not doing too badly!
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