Over in North London, just next to Finchley Road you'll find a large Waitrose superstore, but what makes it just that little bit more special, is tucked away upstairs you'll find their cookery school. Offering lessons in everything from knife skills (it was explained you hold the knife against your knuckles, making a rocking motion with the blade) to homemade pasta, fish filleting and macaroons. I'm a sucker for Italian, so booked myself into the 'Perfect Pizza' evening two hour session. You're welcomed with a glass of prosecco and the class gathers round to learn the basics of making and proving dough. Next we're onto a delicious tomato sauce, full of garlic and basil, cooked down till it was rich and thick. A selection of vegetable and meat toppings aswell as mozzarella cheese meant you could cater to your own tastes. After being made to literally cook for your super, a modest 5-8 minutes in the oven later, the magic was made! Beers, wines and juices were poured and the class gathered to break bread with their fellow cookery novices. It was complimentary drinks, your dinner (and probably tomorrow's provided) and the benefits of a patient teacher who provided all manner of pots and bags for left over toppings and the pizzaiola salsa. A fun two hours, perfect to treat friends and family and pick up a few culinary skills along the way.
