Saturday night sorted: learn how to cook your favourite fast food at home

You may be on a health kick but you still deserve a treat every once in a while.

With Deliveroo, JustEat and UberEats at our fingertips, treat nights and takeaways have become synonymous with each other.

But there’s another way. And not only is it more fun, it’s also cheaper and healthier too.

Whether you’re partial to a big steaming bowl of ramen, a spicy Indian curry, a spot of Pho, or you find yourself drooling for a big board of meze, there’s a Manchester cookery school with a class to teach you the skills.

Its head chef has cooked in more than 40 countries around the world and brings all that knowledge and enthusiasm to the table in his classes. So book safe in the knowledge that you’re getting a properly authentic bang for your buck.

Japanese

Ramen has been having a renaissance in Manchester lately. The end of 2018 saw not one but two dedicated ramen shops opening in the Northern Quarter catering to the growing demand for this hip-yet-comforting Japanese dish.

Healthy and low in fat, homemade ramen is a joy when you get it right. Packed with taste and flavour, the secret here is fresh getting the balance of flavours just right.

In this class, you’ll learn to make the perfect stock, and develop an understanding of different noodles and how to cook them. Get ready to ditch your packet noodles once and for all.

Next class: May 16th

Portugese

When most people think of Portugal, they think Piri Piri (and probably Nando’s). If you’re looking for a more refined option in Manchester, there’s also Canto from the owners of El Gato Negro.

Portugal has a rich gastronomic tradition and its contribution to the culinary world has been immense. In this class, you’ll learn the secrets of some of Portugal’s most traditional recipes including their magical chilli sauce.

Next class: June 2nd

Greek

Remember how good those mezes tasted on holiday and the amazing kakavia and baklava at your favourite Greek restaurant? Now imagine enjoying those flavours at home.

Learn the culinary secrets of this ancient land and how fresh ingredients such as garlic, olive oil, lemons, herbs and spices combine with special techniques for truly authentic Greek recipes and flavours, mastering everything from stifado to souvlaki.

Next class: May 14th

Thai

All about combining bold flavours, Thai food is (in our humble opinion) one of the tastiest cuisines around. What’s more, all the authentic ingredients you need are readily available here in Manchester. All you need now is the know how to put them all together.

These three-hour masterclasses are led by chef Chochaba who grew up in Bangkok with her aunt, who was employed by the Thai Royal Family as a cook for a number of years, and has a phenomenal amount of wisdom to impart.

Next class: May 9th

Vietnamese

A unique blend of Chinese and French style, Vietnamese food is greatly admired for its fresh and fragrant flavour.

Whether you’re seeking a hearty pho, light and fresh summer rolls, or Cà-ri (a rich and fragrant Vietnamese curry), Food Sorcery’s Vietnamese class will teach you the skills you need to recreate your favourites from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Next class: April 6th

Southern Indian

Covering everything from paratha to dhansak and chutney-making, in this class chef Jason draws on his personal experience working as a chef in Southern India to teach you how to master spice and balance mixes to create a range of authentic meat or vegetarian dishes.

You’ll learn how to use spice to add colour to your cooking, and how to use different blends to create something earthy, spicy, warming, sweet or floral.

Next class: April 9th