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Top 8 Aberdeen Cooking Classes to Turn You Into a Kitchen Wizard
If you’ve ever been in a similar spot, fear not! Aberdeen has some of the best cooking classes that can transform your kitchen disasters into delightful masterpieces.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or someone whose closest relationship to cooking is watching Gordon Ramsay on TV, these top cooking classes in Aberdeen will have you flipping and sizzling like a pro in no time. So, dust off that apron, and read on!
Nick Nairn Cook School
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Website: http://www.nicknairncookschool.com/
Address: 15 Back Wynd
Contact details: +44 187 738 9900
Operating hours:
- Operating hours vary depending on the class schedule
Cost:
- Price starts at £195
Nick Nairn Cook School is pretty much the Hogwarts of cooking here in Aberdeen. Led by Nick Nairn himself, a celebrity chef, they offer a range of classes for everyone from total beginners to budding MasterChefs.
The classes are hands-on, engaging, and you get to learn directly from the best. Expect to spend about two to four hours per session, diving into everything from perfecting your knife skills to crafting elaborate dishes you’d only see on TV.
Nick Nairn runs workshops covering diverse cuisines and techniques, from Scottish classics, sizzling BBQs, world tapas, and even bread-making. If you want to get fancy with chocolate work or learn the delicate art of pasta making, they’ve got those too!
Pro tip:
Make sure to book your class well in advance, as these spots are hot commodities and fill up quickly. Also, if you’re looking to impress someone, consider getting a gift voucher, which is the perfect gift for any food lover!
The Bread Maker
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Website: http://www.thebreadmaker.org.uk/
Address: 50-52 Rosemount Viaduct
Contact details: +44 122 464 1520
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 8:30 AM to 4 PM
Cost:
- £150 per person
Okay, if you’ve ever wanted to master the art of bread-making, The Bread Maker is your must-visit spot. Here, you get to dive headfirst into the wonderful world of dough, yeast, and gluten.
Classes here tend to run for a full day, and you can expect to cover everything from rustic sourdoughs to flavourful focaccias. You’ll be kneading, mixing, and baking alongside experienced bakers who’ll guide you through each step like a seasoned pro.
The best part is that you get to take home everything you create. They also keep the classes small, which means you get more one-on-one time with the instructors and a more personalised experience.
Pro tip:
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring a big tote bag. You’ll end up going home with quite the haul of baked goodies, and trust me, you’ll thank yourself later for having that extra bag.
Namaste Delhi
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Website: https://www.namastedelhi.co.uk/
Address: Ground Floor, 64 Bridge St.
Contact details: +44 122 437 9920
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Cost:
- £55 for one
- £100 for two
Namaste Delhi offers immersive cooking classes that let you in on the secrets of Indian spices and cooking techniques. Sessions usually last for a few hours, where you’ll be slicing, dicing, and sautéing your way through a range of traditional dishes.
What makes Namaste Delhi stand out is their dedication to authenticity. You aren’t just following recipes; you’re learning the culture and story behind each dish.
You’ll leave with not just the know-how to whip up a killer chicken tikka but also a deeper understanding of Indian cuisine. Also, they cater to all skill levels, so whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned home cook, you’ll find something to love here.
Pro tip:
Remember to come hungry. The portions you’ll be cooking are quite generous, and you’ll be sampling various dishes throughout the class.
Chaophraya
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Website: https://chaophraya.co.uk/aberdeen/
Address: 1 Union Terrace
Contact details: +44 122 491 8005
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Cost:
- A Royal Occasion – £89 per person
- Spring Rolls and Red Curry – £89 per person
- Street Style – £89 per person
If Thai food is your jam, then Chaophraya is the place to be. You’ll spend about two and a half hours learning to balance sweet, sour, spicy, and savoury flavours—the hallmark of Thai cuisine.
Classes here are super hands-on, so be prepared to get involved in everything from prepping ingredients to plating your finished dishes like a pro. Moreover, you’ll be learning to make favourites like pad thai, green curry, and delicious spring rolls.
They also include a little cultural lesson on Thai dining traditions, so it’s an enriching experience on multiple levels. Expect to leave not only with a full belly but also with recipes and skills you can easily practice at home.
Pro tip:
Don’t forget to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit messy. Cooking Thai food can be hands-on and a bit saucy! Also, bring a notebook to jot down those essential tips and tricks shared by your chef instructor—you won’t want to miss a thing.
North East Scotland College
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Website: http://www.nescol.ac.uk/
Address: Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate
Contact details: +44 300 330 5550
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 8:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday – 8:30 AM to 6 PM
Cost:
- Cooking course – £163
- Cake decorating – £102 to £168
North East Scotland College’s Aberdeen City Campus offers super hands-on cooking classes and covers a wide range of culinary skills. They offer everything from basic food prep and knife skills to advanced patisse technique.
It’s all very practical, so you’re not just sitting there listening to someone talk. You’re chopping, sautéing, and tasting your way through the classes.
Here, you might start with a short evening class that runs for a few weeks, perfect if you’ve got a busy schedule. For those who want to dive deeper, they offer longer, more intensive courses that cover a lot of ground.
Pro tip:
One thing you don’t want to miss is their seasonal workshops. They sometimes bring in guest chefs or have special themed events like Christmas baking or summer BBQ essentials.
Also, try to sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media, where they often announce last-minute deals or new workshops that fill up fast.
Almondine
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Website: http://www.almondine.co.uk/
Address: 15 Chapel St.
Contact details: +44 122 463 2976
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Cost:
- Snowman Macaron Masterclass – £75
- Macaron Masterclass – £75
- Eclair Masterclass – £75
Almondine specialises in patisserie, so think macarons, croissants, and other delightful pastries. The classes are small and intimate, which means you get plenty of one-on-one time with the instructor.
They walk you through each recipe step-by-step, making sure you understand the techniques involved. If you’re a total newbie, they’ll start you out with something simple but impressive, like a basic macaron class.
If you’ve got some experience under your belt, you might jump into a more advanced class that tackles the art of the perfect croissant. The sessions typically last a couple of hours, which is perfect if you’re looking to learn a lot without committing to a whole day.
Pro tip:
Keep an eye out for their occasional guest pastry chef appearances. These sessions can offer unique insights and rare recipes not normally covered in their regular classes.
Sugarelli Cake School
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Website: http://www.facebook.com/sugarellicakeschool
Address: 7A Urquhart Rd, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Operating hours vary depending on the class schedule
Cost: Prices are available upon booking
Sugarelli Cake School is the dream if you’re into cake decorating and sugarcraft. They run an amazing lineup of classes that cover everything from basic cake decorating to detailed sugar flowers and advanced techniques like airbrushing.
They break down complex techniques into simple steps, which makes it all feel quite achievable, even if you’re a beginner. One of their standout features is their themed classes, which usually feature making wedding cakes or adorable birthday cakes.
Sessions usually run for a full day or sometimes even a weekend, giving you ample time to grasp the intricate details. Sugarelli also offers certification courses, which is a big deal if you’re thinking of taking your cake decorating skills to a professional level.
Pro tip:
Sugarelli has a lot of resources available for students, like access to their extensive library of books and online tutorials, so make sure to ask them about those.
You’ll want to book your classes ahead of time, especially their popular weekend ones. Also, they sometimes offer early bird discounts, so keep an eye out for those!
Esther’s Manna House
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Website: https://www.esthersmannahouse.com/
Address: 33 Main St, Turriff
Contact details: +44 746 076 0290
Operating hours:
- Thursday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost:
- Ranges from £40 to £90 per person
Esther’s Manna House classes give you that cosy, homey vibe while teaching you how to cook delicious, nutritious meals from scratch. Her approach is very much about using fresh, local ingredients and making meals that are not just tasty but healthy too.
You’ll find classes ranging from baking hearty breads to whipping up soulful stews and family-friendly dinners. The sessions are quite comprehensive and typically run a few hours, giving you plenty of time to thoroughly understand each step.
Esther herself is such a lovely person, brimming with tips and tricks that you wouldn’t find in a regular recipe book. You can expect to leave with not just new recipes but also a lot of useful bits of knowledge that will make you a better cook overall.
Pro tip:
Seasonal workshops are a big hit here, especially around the holidays when you might learn to make festive treats or summer sessions focusing on outdoor grilling and picnic essentials.
Always ask about Esther’s “recipe of the month.” It’s an exclusive perk for her students and often features seasonal ingredients that you might not think to use.
