Leiths School of Food and Wine

Leiths School of Food and Wine

Leiths School of Food and Wine
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
About
Leiths School of Food and Wine was founded by Prue Leith and Caroline Waldegrave in 1975 and is considered to be one of the best cookery schools in the world. On the famous Leiths Diploma, students follow Prue’s ethos of delicious, unfussy cooking, where beautiful ingredients come first. They are taught the scientific theory behind the cookery process and the demonstrations are interactive with lots of dishes to taste! In the kitchen, students master a comprehensive range of skills that will allow them to thrive in any culinary environment. Skills are repeated and reinforced, and students receive daily feedback from teachers. Alternatively, enthusiasts can opt for a single cooking session during the week, in the evening or on a Saturday. These focus on particular cuisines, from Peruvian to classic French, or particular skills like making bread or pasta. In essence, if you wish to learn a food related skill Leiths is one of the very best places to start.
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles62 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
3

FrauSpra
Newbury, UK31 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Friends
I booked on the Decadent Desert course and was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the course did not live up to expectations. The cooking was very basic with everything pre-weighed in little plastic bags.
I was hoping to get much more technique and skills for presentation but there was very little. We made a panna cotta and this was the only thing they discussed presentation ideas. Then a chocolate fondant which was only made to the batter stage and then given to us to cook at home. And then the tarte fine was just a piece of pre-rolled puff pastry with some apples on top.
I really couldn’t see how that was worth £150 for a few hours.
Very little skills and technique learnt… the course should spell out it is for absolute beginners
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maddy W
Barnet, UK3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
I booked the 'Chocolate Lover's Guide To Desserts' 4.5 hour course as a present for my partner and I - a pretty spot on title given how many chocolate creations we came away with!
We visited mid Feb, and despite mask wearing rules having been dropped everywhere else, they were still being enforced at Leiths. I understand erring on the side of caution but this did seem quite excessive given we already had to provide proof of a negative test and vaccination status before we even entered the building!
Our instructor was really lovely - and very patient with me needing extra help when I got confused! However the session did feel quite rushed at times and more like we were to follow the instructions quickly instead of being able to actually learn new skills.
We've been to quite a few courses at Waitrose School of Cookery and I have to be honest - they've slightly pipped Leith's to the post. They balance the learning element with a bit more fun and feel better paced. They also have a few gadgets that add to the experience - like a camera over the stove / worktop so you can see what's happening on a screen - which I think Leith's would benefit from.
That being said - we did have a great time and got the chance to make desserts we'd never have thought of making ourselves at home. We also both came home with a huge amount of chocolate goodies we'd made so we felt like we'd got our monies worth!
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rosie d
United Kingdom1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
Well organised, well-structured timetables and a comprehensive set of skills gained. I did the summer 1 month intensive course (on-location, pre-covid).
As a novice cook I found the actual course to be Excellent and would definitely recommend it!
The ingredients used were top-notch and menus well planned. I felt the staff were incredibly passionate about what they did and were overall, helpful with any questions I may have had.
I did however feel some staff had an almost army-like, tough-love mindset, which I did not feel was appropriate for a summer intensive course where you have a mix of professional and domestic cooks of differing abilities and goals.
Also pls be aware of triggers working with and being around food. Being a very slim woman there were many times where I felt uncomfortable by comments by some other classmates to do with my eating habits - perhaps it goes with the territory of being around food 8 hours a day but it made me feel very uncomfortable. This point has nothing to do with Leiths itself, and I dont think there is anything they can do to circumvent it, but I am raising it to be of help to others as it was not something I had anticipated it.
Nonetheless, I definitely recommend the 1 month intensive and hope to take further short sessions to build on skills gained.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ali C
Northampton, UK47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
Recently had a brilliant day at Leith's for the "How to cook - Sauces" class. It was a great course and would suit anyone from a relatively new cook to someone who's confident in the kitchen but wants to hone their skill.

The day's well planned with great variety - we started learning about how to make a good stock, which sounds deceptively simple, but there's a level of care needed to get it right. That's one of the best parts of the course - it's not just teaching the technical aspects, it helps you understand the level of care needed for sauces as well as encouraging constant tasting as you cook.

We were then taught how to spatchcock a quail, which we then brined and packaged to take home (you will go home with food - bring tupperware!) and prepared a pomegranate jus. Again, it was great to learn some of the common pitfalls, and having all the ingredients measure out ready was very useful.

It's quite a lovely part of the day when you sit down and eat a lunch which you've prepared yourself with your fellow classmates - everyone got on really well which made the experience even more wonderful.

Overall, the class is a great mix of demonstration and practical, with chefs that are friendly and knowledgeable it's a very inclusive course. Would thoroughly recommend!
Written 5 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anonymous
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Solo
My experience with this school has been dreadful. The staff are unhelpful, unsupportive and have a distinct lack of understanding of even the most basic concepts. My advice to anyone considering booking a place on any of their courses is...don't. Save yourself the stress, upset and regret.
Written 11 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tommyhez
London, UK71 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Business
I recently visited Leith's School of Food and Wine as part of a work trip to congraulate our company on a significant milestone. We opted to cook a Spanish Medley and all ingredients were provided for. We had one expert chef designated to 10 students.

We were split into groups to create different parts of the menu. My group were instructed how to cook a Tarta de Santiago - which the basic instruction was to follow the recipe. We were naturally given a demonstration by the chef brefore we attempted to cook ourselves. As I am a good daily cook I didn't find the recipe particuarly complex. All the ingredients were already measured out - so my task was essentially mixing together for baking. When our Tartas were in the over we assisted other groups in basic tasks (frying meatballs, segmenting oranges) etc.

One of the best things of this course is that after we were able to eat together our creations in the canteen; to which the chefs served us the food and wine. The food was all tasty - however, the Tarta de Santiago that I made was served up with a cream and soaked apricots that we were not informed how to prepare.

I
Written 11 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debbie W
Reigate, UK928 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019
Really great class from beginning to end. Learnt how to make the dough by hand and in blender.

Also learnt how to shape tortellini, ravioli, tagliatelle, and ear shaped pasta beginning with an “O”!

Teacher was great as was her helper. Always there when you needed them to give you advice and support.

Ended with us eating one of creations with a lovely truffle and truffle oil sauce, accompanied by nice wine. Definitely not cutting corners!

Lots to transport home .. they gave you foil trays and a bag that they fit in so wasn’t any need to take anything myself.
Written 24 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter R
Chichester, UK23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Couples
We bought ourselves this course for Christmas, (North) Indian Cookery with Angela Malik. Angela is extremely knowledgable and she and her team make you feel very welcome and can’t do enough to help you. It’s a real fun experience, you learn about the five (yes 5) taste sensations, as well as cooking your own stunning dishes. We made a sensational Butter Chicken, Tarka Dhal & Paratha.
The four and a half hours just disappear!
Written 3 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tracey B
Kent, UK28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018
Have done a few courses here and really enjoyable. Learnt loads and the team always make you feel welcome. The food styling course is great.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kevin J
London, UK440 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Solo
My first visit, but it won't be the last ! Superb coaching in Fish preparation & cooking by a wonderful team of real pros. Highly recommended for everyone interested in the vagaries of cookery skills
Written 17 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your feedback, Kevin! We're so glad you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to welcoming you back to the school again soon. All the best, Lily
Written 18 April 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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LEITHS SCHOOL OF FOOD AND WINE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Leiths School of Food and Wine

Leiths School of Food and Wine is open:
  • Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00
  • Sat - Sat 10:30 - 13:00


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