Pizza making at La Cucina Caldesi Cookery School in Marylebone, London
One of my favourite neighbourhoods in London is Marylebone, which while being very central has a village-like charm, which makes you forget you’re in the middle of a city. You’ll find The Wallace Collection there, a wonderful museum filled with fine and decorative arts. Or if you’re a fan of classical chamber music you can visit Wigmore Hall. But, if it’s shopping and eating that you are looking for, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Marylebone High Street is incredibly chic, filled with gorgeous boutiques, independent bookstores and fashionable restaurants galore.
Background on La Cucina Caldesi
It is also home to an authentic Italian cooking school. Nestled in Cross Keys Close, in the heart of Marylebone is La Cucina Caldesi. Owners Giancarlo and Katie opened it in 2005, having spent years teaching friends and guests how to make fresh pasta in their restaurant on a Sunday. The restaurant, Caldesi in Marylebone is a stone’s throw from the cooking school and also has rave reviews for it’s traditional Tuscan food.
All Levels of Cooking Skill Welcome
When I decided that I wanted to do something different with friends, I thought learning to cook would be a very good idea, or a very bad one. It’s not my forte – I can barely boil an egg – but I love food and I particularly love Italian food. Caldesi offers many different courses, fresh pasta, the perfect risotto, and a number of regional Italian cooking courses. We chose to make my favourite, pizza.
On arrival, we were given our aprons and us eager students were ready to get stuck in. Our teacher, Stefano Borella was friendly and welcoming – he didn’t swear at us or throw anything, which was a relief. The brief was to make pizza, two types of focaccia, breadsticks, doughnuts and a salad.
Getting Stuck Into It (The Cooking That Is, Not Just The Dough)
We really got stuck in. I am not sure what I expected but we made dough, chose our toppings, twisted breadsticks… it felt as if we learnt to do a lot in a very short time. The enthusiasm of everyone was infectious and although I was totally out of my comfort zone, I threw myself into it. We were a diverse group of people, who were all happy to be there. Some had come, like I had, with a couple of friends, others were on their own, but we all were invested in making a delicious pizza. Which, to my relief, we did.
From pounding dough, to twisting the bread sticks, making the focaccia, and then finally the doughnuts we all got stuck into the cooking. The salad was a group effort and I will definitely be making it again! After the cooking we all got to sit around a big table and enjoy our masterpieces with much needed wine. Not only was my pizza one of the best I’ve tasted outside of Italy – even if I do say so myself – but we had a lively time and got to talk to people that I would otherwise not have met.
The Verdict
I enjoyed the experience so much, I want to go back to learn to make fresh pasta next time!
Just to note that the school is very helpful with any dietary requirements. One of my friends was vegan and they catered for her brilliantly.
It really was a taste of Italy in the heart of central London!
Getting There
The nearest tube stations are Baker Street and Bond street, with Marylebone Station offering national rail links.
Dates
The next Perfecto Pizza class is being held on the 9th July with another one scheduled for 26th July 2025.
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