Review: Explore a world of flavour while learning a new skill at Zouk’s cookery school

If you’re hungry for knowledge – and curry – Zouk’s cookery school is your one stop shop. Taking place on the first Saturday of every month, this expert-led course offers you the chance to learn how to cook a range of dishes from the Zouk menu. For three hours, the venue’s Restaurant Manager Hamed ‘Ali’ Malik takes you on a voyage of discovery, sharing insights on a range of topics, including where their iconic dishes originated from, the differences in regional variations and spicing. During each session you will create at least five dishes – including the delicious falafel, chana masala and tadka dal – meet a host of new curry-loving friends and have a great time in the process.

Right from the start Ali gets you involved and makes you feel at ease, serving up a cup of Desi Chai tea (an Indian brew from the Maharaja Times, featuring green cardamom) upon arrival. From there on out – it’s cooking time. For each dish, we helped to prepare the veg and observed Ali and the Chefs at work – all while focusing on the technique and spice blending skills that have made Zouk such a popular destination. Then, we began sweating finely chopped onion to caramel perfection before toasting a range of hand-ground spices and learning about the key tenants on curry creation: heat, texture and flavour balance. After a hands-on experience cooking five dishes over a combination of traditional cookers and open flames, an array of nan breads is then brought over and all 10 participants are invited to get stuck in. The food was good – yes – but Ali and the recipes were the real stars of the show.

The Zouk cookery school is perfect for all levels of ability and completely accessible – regardless of your expertise. For just £80 per person you will gain fantastic knowledge and insight, eat copious amounts of food, get your very own smart apron and have a great day out. It would also  make the perfect gift for the food fanatic in your life this Christmas. Interested? Gift cards can be purchased in the restaurant. Find out more about Zouk by visiting their website.