From the art of cheese tasting to perfume and Kansai street food making, there’s plenty of skills that can be picked up in the Heart of London’s West End.
Master the art of cheese tasting at the Royals’ favourite cheesemonger
Master the art of cheese tasting at the royals’ favourite cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield. Partnering with the Academy of Cheese, the specialist shop now offers one of the first UK industry recognised cheese training programmes. The course is designed for amateur foodies and professional cheese lovers alike and covers fundamentals like the production process, how to select and present cheese and how to taste 25 classic cheeses, from le gruyere to gorgonzola, like a pro. Alternatively, join Paxton & Whitfield over the May Bank Holiday for a mini masterclass on how to put together a balanced cheeseboard, with five different cheeses to taste and opportunity to ask multiple cheese related questions. Then, on 10 May, expert cheesemonger Danielle Bliss joins Paxton & Whitfield for Paxton’s Perfect Partners and explores the best drinks matches for cheeseboards, from beer to cider, to champagne and port. Level 1 training programme at Paxton and Whitfield is available at £195 on 23 May and 13 June . Bank Holiday Monday Mini Masterclass for £7.50 on 7 May. Paxton’s Perfect Partners on 10 May for £45.
Perfect Life Drawing Skills at the Royal Academy of Arts
Take a Life Drawing Skills course in the RA’s historic Life Room, which has been used by artists since the 1860’s and is to be the backdrop to weekend long course on drawing the human form. Classes will be overseen by the artist Adele Wagstaff and will introduce the fundamentals of drawing the human form and anatomy, working from life models in a series of poses. All materials will be provided, as well as lunch, and a wine reception at the end of the second day to celebrate participants’ progress. Drawing and painting the modern nude; Weekend-long practical course; £420 for 14 July and 15 July, 10:30am – 5:30pm
Create two unique Eau de Parfums on a date worthy of royalty at England’s oldest perfume retailer
Refined couples can enjoy a date night to remember at Britain’s oldest family run perfumery, Floris – the only appointed perfumer to Her Majesty The Queen. Sessions include a welcome glass of Pol Roger champagne with the opportunity to discover the secrets of fragrance creation and the chance to craft two unique 100ml Eau de Parfums with the help of a member of the Floris perfumery team. Ahead of the session participants will receive a gift box and two bottles engraved with their initials, as well as a guide of what to expect from the day’s course. And, to add to the memory, the fragrance created is added to Floris’s private perfume ledgers dating back nearly 300 years and started by founder Juan Famenias Floris – meaning it is protected for future generations to re-order. The ‘Together’ Fragrance Customisation is available at £800.
Master the Perfect Margarita in Leicester Square Kitchen
Learn how to mix margaritas like a pro in Mexican and Peruvian restaurant Leicester Square Kitchen. The restaurant is offering classes in creating Mexican and Peruvian- inspired Margaritas along with punchy tequila-based cocktails. The experience includes three cocktails per person, a selection of canapés and a certificate. Afterwards why not enjoy dinner in the restaurant? Cocktail masterclass: £45 per person, Cocktail Masterclass with dinner: £70 per person. Available on 5 May, 9 June, 14 July.
