X Slider Background Settings
  • X Slider Image
  • X Slider Image
  • X Slider Image
  • X Slider Image

Cookery courses

the Olive tree cookery school
  • Home
  • Courses
  • Where to stay
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Courses
  • Where to stay
  • Contact

A choice of one-day speciality courses

The Olive Tree Cookery School offer a wide variety of cookery courses across various skill levels. There are over 15 courses to choose from so you will be sure to find a course that suits your needs.
​
Whether you are looking to make a career in cooking or just developing your culinary skills for the home, there really is something for everyone.

​On all of our cookery courses any food that you don't eat for lunch or that you cook after lunch, you can take home with you to enjoy with your family or friends.
​
These courses are for a maximum of 6 students and run from 9.30am to 2pm (unless stated otherwise), with lunch. Prices given are per person. We also offer evening classes !

If you wish to book more than one space, please contact us to check availability.
Looking for the perfect gift?
Then why not buy that special person a cookery experience they'll never forget.
We have a range of courses to choose from, and with prices from just £80, this would make the perfect gift for any budding chef. All you need to do is pick the course and purchase the voucher for the amount of the course. Please let us know which course you have chosen.
Please contact Giuseppe via email if the amount of the voucher you’d like to purchase is not listed and he will organise that for you.
£50 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£80 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£90 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£135 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£145 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£155 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)
Mad about Mushrooms
Mad about Mushrooms
17 October 2026  - 9.30am - 3pm - £135pp - Fully Booked
22 Octrober 2026  - 9.30am - 3pm - £135pp

Weather and seasonal conditions permitting, students will spend the morning on the foray led by Giuseppe. Back to the kitchen, Giuseppe will demonstrate how to clean, prepare and conserve various mushrooms, before taking students through a menu suitable for the most passionate mushroom eater.
Sample menu:
Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Parma Ham and Parmesan Shavings Crostini • Wild Mushrooms Risotto • Venison Loin with Porcini Sauce and Polenta  
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Seafood
Seafood
18th June 2026 - 9.30am - 3pm - £155pp
20th June 2026 - 9.30am - 3pm - £155pp​​ - Fully Booked
26th September 2026 - 9.30am - 3pm - £155pp
6th March 2027 - 9.30am - 3pm - £155pp
A day spent preparing, filleting and cooking fresh fish; shellfish and crustaceans; preparation and recipes for local crab and lobster, scallops, sea bass, clams and mussels.
Sample menu:
Crab Crostini with Cherry Tomato and Avocado • Lobster & Asparagus Risotto • Sea Bass in a Salt Crust​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Cooking with Game
Cooking with Game
21st November 2026 - 9.30am - 3pm - £145pp
With the shooting season under way, it's time to take a fresh look at what to do with all the wonderful local game.
Sample menu:
Pheasant and Wild Mushrooms Ragu with Home Made Pappardelle • Venison Loin Wrapped in Sage and Pancetta with Marsala Sauce • ​Pan Fried Partridge Breast with Beetroot and Toasted Walnut Salad​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Pasta, Pizza & Italian Breads
Pizza, Focaccia and Italian Breads:
24th September 2026 - 9.30am-2.00pm £135pp
20th of February 2027 - 9.30am-2.00pm £135pp

This course will need some serious muscle with plenty of pizza and bread dough to be kneaded!
Sample menu:
Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella, Parma Ham & Rocket • Focaccia with Rosemary & Sea Salt • Black Olive Grissini • Sun Dried Tomato Bread • Pesto Roll • Cuddiruni

​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Coastal Foraging and Cookery
Coastal Foraging and Cookery
12 Sept 2026 - 9.30am - 3pm - £135pp​​ - Fully Booked
8 May 2027 - 9.30am - 3pm - £135pp
Spend the morning foraging the local coastline for sea vegetables and edible flowers before returning to the cookery school to create a fresh, seasonal, flavour packed lunch with your foraged treasure and other local produce. Maximum 6 people.
Sample menu:
Grilled Sea Bass with Sea Beet, Samphire and Black Mustard Butter • Meadow Sweet Infused Panna Cotta
Click here to book
BOOK HERE
Sicilian Cooking
 Sicilian Cooking
4th July 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
30th January 2027 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
Learn to cook (and eat) like Montalbano! Join Giuseppe in creating dishes taught to him by his mother and grandmother, exploring the delicate flavours and delicious ingredients of this beautiful Mediterranean island.
Sample menu:
Arancini (Sicilian rice balls) • Spaghetti Con Le Sarde • Granita al Limone • Cannoli Siciliani (pastries filled with sweet ricotta)
Click here to book
BOOK HERE
Moroccan Cookery
Moroccan Cookery
1st October 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
27th February 2027 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
Enjoy the intense, fresh flavours of the Middle-East and learn about slow-cooking with a tagine.
Sample menu: Preserved Lemon • Sardines stuffed with Sultanas & Pinenuts • Lamb, Almond and Olives Tagine • Spiced Cous Cous with Peppers & Aubergines and Flat Bread
​Click here to book
BOOK HERE
Picture
Thai Cookery
22nd Sept 2026 - 9.30am- 2pm - £135pp
13th March 2027 - 9.30am- 2pm - £135pp
​Learn the subtleties of this delicate cuisine, using fresh herbs and spices to create a variety of authentic dishes.
Sample menu:
Spring Rolls • Thai Green Chicken Curry with Chilli, Lemon Grass and Lime • Jasmine Rice • Pad Thai with Prawns and Crispy Tofu
​Click here to book
BOOK HERE
Picture
Mexican Cookery Class
10th October 2026 - 9.30am – 2pm – £135pp
​17th April 2027 - 9.30am – 2pm – £135pp
Discover the vibrant flavours of Mexico in this exciting hands-on class. Learn how to make authentic favourites including beef tacos, fresh guacamole, salsa, tortillas, refried beans, chicken enchiladas, aguachile prawn ceviche, and delicious churros served with chocolate and chilli sauce.​  
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Chinese Cookery Class 
Chinese Cookery Class​
15th October 2026 - 9.30am – 2pm – £135pp
10th April 2027 - 9.30am – 2pm – £135pp

Explore the techniques and flavours of classic Chinese cuisine in this immersive cookery experience. Prepare a selection of traditional dishes including Peking roasted duck, wonton soup, chicken chow mein, prawns with spring onion and bamboo shoot, and egg fried rice.​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Picture
Supper Club – Indian Theme
1st July 2026 from 7.00pm – £50pp
Join us for a relaxed evening of authentic Indian dining at our themed Supper Club. Enjoy a carefully prepared three-course menu featuring dishes such as vegetable spring rolls, chicken madras, seasonal bhajis, lentil and butternut squash dhal, aromatic rice, and kheer rice pudding with pistachios and rose water.​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
New class coming soon
New course coming soon​
Indian Cooking
Indian Cooking
​31st May 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
25th July 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
6th February 2027 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp
Pestle and mortar at the ready, spend a day in the kitchen roasting and blending your own spices to create Indian dishes with a wonderful depth of flavour.
Sample menu:
Garam Masala • Lamb Curry • Spiced Chick Peas • Spinach & Potato Saag Aloo • Naan Bread • Prawn Curry • Aubergine Bartha
​​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Lebanese Cookery
 Lebanese Cookery 
15th Sept 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp 
13th Feb 2027 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp 
Explore the exciting flavours of the Middle East, with an array of spices and fresh ingredients you will be transported to another world.
Sample menu:
Baharat Spice Mix • ​Za’atar Man’ouch • Chicken Za’atar with Tahini Sauce •
Sauteed New Potatoes with Cumin, Chilli and Coriander • Baalbek Sfiha  •  Ma’amoul
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
​An Italian Christmas 
An Italian Christmas 
12th December 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp​
Students will cover all the essentials for a truly traditional Italian Christmas, from a short cut recipe for panettone to the ultimate Italian Festive dish of chicken broth with fresh tagliolini.
Sample menu:
​Quick Panettone  • Cantucci  • Roasted Porchetta  • Chicken Broth with Fresh Tagliolini
If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Japanese Cookery
Japanese Cookery
20th March 2027 - 9.30am - 2pm - £135pp​
Enjoy a day of Asian flavours and textures with an array of delicious classic Japanese dishes.
Sample menu:
Shichimi Togarashi 7 Spice Blend • Gyoza •  Sushi and Sashimi • Prawns in Tempura with Sweet Chilli Sauce • Tonkatsu
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Pizza, Calzoni and Prosecco
EVENING - Pizza and Calzoni 
9th July 2026 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £80pp
​7th July 2026 - Fully Booked
​14th July 2026 - Fully Booked 
An evening preparing and cooking pizza and calzoni with Ooni outdoor oven.
Sample menu:
Pizza with Artichokes, Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone • Pizza with Parma Ham, Dolcelatte and Rocket • Calzone filled with Ham, Mushrooms, Spinach and Camembert
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Italian Cookery
EVENING - Italian Cookery
29th September 2026 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £90pp
Enjoy an evening cooking some Italian classics.
Sample menu:
Fresh tagliatelle with basil and walnut pesto • Chicken parcel with lemon mascarpone and wrapped in pancetta • ​Nectarines and almond tart with orange and ricotta cream
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Fresh Pasta
Fresh Pasta
19th December 2026 - 9.30am-2.00pm £135pp
3rd of April 2027 - 9.30am-2.00pm £135pp

Whether you’ve got a pasta machine gathering dust in the cupboard or have always wanted to produce fresh pasta, you will leave this course confident in your artisan ability.
Sample Menu:
Wild Garlic Pappardelle with Aubergine, Tomato Sauce & Burrata • Beef Lasagne • Tagliatelle with Cherry Tomatoes, Prawns and Basil • Butternut Squash and Thyme Ravioli • Chicken and Parmesan Mezze Lune with Sage Butter
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Crostini, Arancini and Prosecco​
EVENING - Crostini, Arancini and Prosecco
8th of October 2026 - 6.00pm-9.30pm £90pp
Whether it’s a light lunch or relaxing supper you’re after, learn how to make fresh and interesting new recipes.
Sample menu:
Prawn, Sea Purslane, Samphire and Lemon Zest Crostini • Mozzarella, Mushrooms and Spinach Arancini • Courgette, Broad Beans and Pecorino Crostini  •. Rosted Cherry Tomatoes and Ricotta Crostini • Rosted Pepper and Camembert Arancini
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Just Dessert
EVENING - Just Dessert
17th March 2026 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £80pp
An introduction to some principles of baking.
Sample menu:
Lemon Cream Profiteroles • Chocolate Pudding • Tiramisu • Fig & Almond Tart​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Vegetarian Sicilian Cookery
EVENING - Vegetarian Sicilian Cookery
13th October 2026 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £90pp
Spend an evening preparing deliciously simple Sicilian vegetarian food with a wonderful depth in flavour.
Sample menu:
Aubergine Caponata • Mushrooms, Spinach and Mozzarella Arancini • Peperonata
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
EVENING - Christmas Canape and Petit Fours
8th December 2026 - 6.00pm-9.30pm £90pp
Planning a Christmas drinks party? Join Giuseppe for some expert tips on delicious nibbles, sweet and savuory.
Sample menu:
Smoked Salmon Blini with Fromage Blanc
• Roasted Duck Leg Cups with Hoisin Sauce
• Chocolate Tart with Crème Fraiche and Raspberry ​
BOOK HERE
New course Coming Soon
BOOK HERE
​Vegetarian Indian Cookery
EVENING - Vegetarian Indian Cookery
9th Spetember 2026 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £90pp
Spend an evening in the kitchen roasting and blending your own spices to create vegetarian Indian dishes with a wonderful depth of flavour.
Sample menu:
Garam Masala • Butternut Squash and Aubergine Curry • Spiced Chick Peas and Lentil Dahl • Onion and Red Pepper Bhaji  
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
MORNING - Coastal Foraging for beginners​
MORNING - Coastal Foraging for beginners
11th May 2027 - 10am-12.00pm £50pp
​
A two hour guided walk foraging alongside the local coastline for sea vegetables and edible flowers.
This is a walk alongside the Dorset coastline where Giuseppe will guide you on how to start to forage safely and responsibly.
We will not collect any plant during the walk, only identify and discuss various culinary uses. Please bring notebook and camera.
​​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.