LONDON EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Hands-On Plant Power: Charring, Umami and Fresh Spinach Pici at Islington HQ
A five-hour, hands-on class at The Jamie Oliver Cookery School in Islington that teaches flavour techniques—Thai sweet‑and‑sour balance, umami boosters, charring and fresh pasta—so you can recreate the menu at home.
Hands-On Plant Power: Charring, Umami and Fresh Spinach Pici at Islington HQ.
Loving Veg is a focused, practical class for anyone who wants to push vegetables beyond side-dish status. At the Jamie Oliver Cookery School’s Islington HQ you’ll move between short demos and your own workstation, learning taste-building techniques and finishing by sharing the dishes at the chef’s table.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Master the four taste sensations and Thai sweet‑and‑sour
Start by learning the four key taste sensations—salty, sour, sweet and hot—then apply them to a crunchy Thai-style sweet & sour salad in a hands-on test of balance and texture.
Deepen flavour with umami boosters and charring
Discover how miso, soy, porcini and other umami boosters change a dish, and learn charring techniques that sweeten and deepen vegetable flavours.
Make a veg-based sauce and enjoy handmade spinach pici
Create a vegetable-based sauce for pasta, watch chefs prepare spinach pasta dough and tuck into handmade spinach pici served alongside a chickpea & cauliflower curry topped with spicy cashew oil.
What the day feels like
What the class feels like
The rhythm alternates short, clear demonstrations from an expert teaching chef with practical work at your own station: balancing flavours on a Thai salad, experimenting with umami boosters, charring veg, making a chickpea and cauliflower curry, and assembling a veg-based sauce to match freshly made spinach pici. The session closes at the chef’s table where you eat what you’ve made and receive a digital recipe pack to take the methods home.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who benefits most from this class—and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The class runs for 5 hours, and that time includes demonstrations, hands-on cooking and time to eat at the chef’s table.
You do not need to bring ingredients, equipment or an apron—these are provided; water is also supplied during the class.
The session takes place at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School’s Islington HQ; only active class participants are permitted on site.
A complimentary glass of bubbles (or a soft drink) is provided on arrival; additional drinks including wine, beer and cocktails are available to purchase from the drinks menu.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the class?
The class lasts 5 hours, including demonstrations, hands-on cooking and time to eat at the chef’s table.
Are ingredients and equipment provided?
Yes— all ingredients, equipment and aprons are provided, and you'll work at your own station to recreate the dishes.
Can friends or family watch the class?
No—only those actively taking part in a class are permitted at the Cookery School; spectators and a waiting area are not provided.
Will I receive recipes to take home?
Yes—a digital recipe pack with everything you need to recreate the dishes at home is provided.
What will I eat during the class?
You will eat the Thai-style crunchy sweet & sour salad, handmade spinach pici with your veg sauce, and a fragrant chickpea & cauliflower curry topped with spicy cashew oil; water is provided throughout.
Is a drink included on arrival?
Yes—you’ll receive a complimentary glass of bubbles or a soft drink on arrival.