For approachable, accessible cooking classes, the Waitrose Cookery School is a terrific place to start. The range of courses available is superb, the level of teaching second to none, and – as you’d expect form the offshoot of a supermarket empire – the school store cupboard’s stocked with a staggering array of high-quality ingredients. Ranging from one to five hours, classes are broad in scope and subject, suitable for everyone from kitchen-cautious beginners to accomplished home chefs of any age from five upwards. The school has three outposts: Finchley Road is its flagship; where students can hone the basic techniques and tackle regional cuisines from Greek feasts to Thai takeaway. King’s Cross keeps its fingers on the foodie pulse to provide ahead-of-the-curve classes in emerging culinary trends around the world. Meanwhile in Wiltshire, Waitrose’s Salisbury school focuses on food as the heart of home life, with day courses and demonstrations designed to arm domestic cooks with the skills and go-to recipe arsenal to delight family and friends alike. In every branch, the standard of equipment used is state-of-the-art without being too cheffy, and the tutors often include talented chefs taking time out from Michelin-starred kitchens.

Persian Feast (Finchley Road): £100

Thai Street Feast (King’s Cross): £100

Ceviche (King’s Cross): £25

Quick and Simple Healthy Suppers (Salisbury): £50

Children’s Workshop 5–8 (Salisbury): £15