Frequently Asked Questions

Make the most of your cookery course.

Got a question? You’ll most likely find the answer here…

What is the story behind La Cucina Caldesi?

Giancarlo and Katie were running cookery classes over the last few years from the kitchen of their Caffe’ Caldesi restaurant. Due to the big success of the classes, in 2005 they decided to open a dedicated school offering the chance for the public to work with professional chefs and wine experts.

How do I know which course to take?

Under the course headings we have explained what is involved in each cookery class, this will give you a clearer idea as to the sorts of dishes that will be cooked and the level of experience needed. If you have any queries please call the office and we will happily help you to choose the best course for you.

I am an absolute beginner. Are the courses suitable for me?

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any cookery experience, we are a cookery school and it is our job to teach you. We want you to leave us having learnt a new skill, (or two) as well as having had lots of fun. The courses are open to all levels, but if you feel more at ease, some courses are specifically aimed at the keen beginner.

I’m a fairly good cook. Is there a risk that the courses are too easy for me?

We try to balance all the courses (apart from the beginners classes) with a mix of easy and more challenging recipes, so everybody can find the right amount of work to do.
If you think that a course may be too easy for you please check with us and we will help to find the right course for you.

What happens if I book a course and then I can’t attend?

We are unable to offer full refunds. We are happy to move any booking up to 28 days before the date of the class, there is an admin charge of £10 to do this. If you contact us after that notice period the following charges apply:

7 – 28 days notice – 25% of the full course fee

3 – 6 days notice – 50% of the full course fee

less than 3 days notice – 100% of the full course fee (the best option would be to send someone else in your place). For further information regarding refunds and cancellations please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

What sort of cooking will I do?

The majority of our cookery classes are hands-on, so everyone can get involved as much or as little as they like. Any courses that are demonstrations will be clearly marked.
We specialize in Italian cuisine therefore most of our courses teach different aspects of Italian and Mediterranean cooking, with a good balance between traditional and more modern dishes.

Does the school provide the recipes and food ingredients?

Yes. We will provide all the ingredients and a copy of the day’s recipes for each student to take home

Do we get to eat the food we make?

Yes, at the end of the cooking session you will sit down to eat the results of your work together with the teacher and your fellow students. In case lunch/dinner is not included it is specified on the course description.

What age are the students?

We have got students from all ages, usually between 20 – 70 years, but there is no age limit. We also offer cookery courses for children from 6 to 12 years and for teenagers from 13 to 16 years.
If you are, or have a teenager (or a child) who would like to join one of our regular scheduled courses, please contact the office to discuss the suitability.

Are the courses suitable for men and women?

Absolutely, we have got a fairly even presence of men and women. We also run a course entitled ‘Men in the kitchen’, which is geared for men only and gives them a chance to learn the essentials of mastering a 3 course lunch/dinner.

Do you issue any qualification at the end of your courses?

We are not an accredited cookery school however we are able to offer you a certificate of attendance, please ask in the office for further details.

I would like to learn some specific skills. What can I do?

If you would like to learn something specific that you can’t find on our course list please contact us as we can organise private one-to-one lessons.

I have special dietary requirements. Is that a problem?

No, if you have any kind of dietary requirements please do specify that at the moment of your booking (online or over the telephone) and we will try our best to accommodate your requirements. In case of serious food allergies please ensure you contact us before booking your class.

How many students are there in a class?

For a scheduled course we aim to have a maximum number of 16 students, we sometimes have extra people booking to join as lunch guests, we aim to have a maximum of 6 guests joining us for lunch.
For our tailor-made cookery classes our sizes range from 8 – 24 people.

What do I need to bring with me?

Wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for quite a long time. Non-slip shoes are essential for working in a kitchen.
We provide our branded cotton aprons for all our students to wear during the course and if you would like, you can purchase one of our “La Cucina Caldesi” embroidered aprons at £12.50 each.
We provide all the recipes you will need by email within 48 hours after the class. It would be a good idea to bring a pen and note book.