Frequently Asked Questions
We've tried to think of everything you might want to know about a session with Kitchen Secrets. Of course, we might not have answered your question so feel free to contact us with your question.
For convenience, we have divided the questions into three sections:
About You
- What do I need to bring?
- Just yourself, in sensible clothing and a good appetite. All the equipment, drinks and ingredients are provided
- What should I wear?
- You will be provided with an apron to protect your clothing but perhaps this is not an occasion for your new silk blouse. Also please wear comfortable, non-slip shoes as you will be standing up for a greater part of the evening and the non slip is a safety precaution. You will not be sent away for turning up in stilettos but we won’t let you moan about it when you are tired!
- What age do I need to be?
- There is no age limit for a Kitchen Secrets Party. If you have the enthusiasm we will work around your needs. Should you need more breaks or have disabled guests we will accommodate them in the best way possible. Alcohol free parties are also available for teens and children.
- Does my English need to be very good?
- As cooking is a very visual art it is easy to follow the lesson if your English is not up to scratch but you will miss out on much of the tirade of useful facts and tips the chefs impart during the lesson.
- What about allergies?
- When booking you will fill out a form which is intended to give us an idea about you and your foodie likes and dislikes, level of ability and most importantly any allergies. In the event of a serious allergy although we shall endevor not to have any related products we can not make any guarantees and will have to leave your choice of participation to your own discretion.
- What level do I need to be and how to you define levels of skill?
- Everyone is better than their perceived level of ability. However we do ask you to fill out a short form when booking in order for us to get an idea of your ability. Do not worry should your abilities be mixed within a group. This is normal and enables the weaker candidates to receive more help from the chef and their fellow pupils alike.
You will be able to produce and reproduce the meal chosen whatever your ability.
About the Event
- What sort of food will we cook?
- The menu shall be chosen by yourselves or your host and can range from classic British and work its way around the world in different Cuisines.
- Are the ingredients organic?
- Our ingredients are all of an outstanding quality but are not all organic. Should you and your group feel very strongly about the use of organic produce however it is possible to organise this for you. Equally Hallal meats and other specialist requirements can be catered for.
- What size are the groups?
- The Kitchen Secrets Party is a very hands-on event and, although we don't limit the number of people, we would suggest between 8 and 10 for the best experience. Group size is also directly relative to your hosts’ kitchen size. Prices vary according to group size. Please see our costs page.
- If I choose private tuition is it only one on one or could I do it with a friend?
- Yes of course these classes are designed to suit a maximum of 4 people. Prices varying by group size. Find all these prices on our costs page.
- Do we get to eat in the private tuition lessons?
- No. These sessions are designed to get through as much knowledge as possible in the course of each lesson. With constant nibbling and tasting you probably will not want a meal at the end but as you will be left with all the food you have prepared you are free to do as you wish once the lesson is over.
- How many lessons would I need to be able to cook confidently?
- There is no black and white answer to this but we have brought people form learning to boil an egg to cooking happily for themselves and others in 3 lessons. We must say thought it really is dependent upon the individual.
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Please refer to our terms and conditions for our cancellation policy.
After the Event
- How will I remember what I have learnt?
- At the beginning of the class you will be presented with a booklet including your menu for the evening and an easy follow breakdown of all the recipes. There will be space for you to write notes on this throughout your class. Furthermore should you lose or damage your booklet you can e mail us and request a fresh copy.
- What support is available after the session?
- We are currently in the process of setting up just such a thing and will inform you as soon as it is up and running. In the mean time please feel free to e mail any questions you may have. This is of course not instant but we will reply asap.
