Pork pies, made warm and from scratch, in London. At Cook & Craft Collective, JoJo guides you through pastry, lets you pick secret fillings, and you finish by eating a pork pie fresh from the oven.

I love the class energy: it’s hands-on, upbeat, and designed so you’re doing real work, not just watching. I also like that it’s set up for different dietary needs, with vegetarian options worked into the experience.

One thing to consider: if you want booze during the class, you have to bring your own.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• JoJo’s workshop style: 20 years of teaching experience plus music and a fun, relaxed pace.
• Pastry first, then fillings: you make the pastry using JoJo’s special recipe before assembling pies.
• Secret fillings to choose from: you get to pick from extra options beyond the classic approach.
• Warm tasting at the end: the best moment is eating a pork pie straight out of the oven.
• Dietary flexibility: the class is suitable for most dietary requirements, with vegetarian options.
• All materials included: facilities, equipment, and ingredients are part of the price.

Why This Pork Pie Class Feels More Like a Skill Than a Snack

A traditional pork pie is one of those foods that sounds simple until you try making it. The crust has to be right, the filling needs balance, and the whole thing tastes best when it’s still warm. This class hits all three points, and it does it in about three focused hours.

What makes it work for you is the structure. You’re not just learning a recipe in theory—you build the pie step by step, choose fillings with JoJo’s help, and then get the payoff immediately. And because you’re making pastry first, you end up understanding how the base affects everything that follows.

Getting Started at Cook and Craft Collective

Your meeting point is Cook and Craft Collective. Plan to head to the reception area and get comfortable right away. If there’s time, you can also grab a hot beverage from the onsite cafe before the class starts.

This matters because workshops can feel hectic right at the beginning. Taking a minute to settle in—then letting the team collect you—keeps your energy up while you switch from travel-mode to cooking-mode.

Also, expect the class to be in English. That’s helpful if you want clear, fast explanations and quick tips while your hands are busy.

Meet JoJo: The Teaching Style That Keeps You Moving

JoJo runs the session with a lively, people-first approach. The teaching is interactive, and the vibe stays upbeat rather than stiff or overly technical. With 20 years of teaching experience, she can explain the same idea in a way that actually lands while you’re holding dough.

You’ll also notice something practical: you’re constantly switching tasks. One moment you’re working the pastry, the next you’re picking fillings, then you’re assembling your pies. That rhythm helps you stay engaged, and it means you’re learning by doing instead of waiting around.

And yes, the class has music. It’s a small detail, but it changes the mood. Cooking classes go smoother when you don’t feel like you’re in a quiet classroom.

The Pastry Moment: Making the Base the JoJo Way

The core of the workshop is pastry—and you make it yourself. JoJo shows you how to prepare the pastry using her special recipe, so you learn what the dough should feel like and why. This is the part that many people skip when they bake at home, but it’s where real control lives.

Here’s the value for you: pastry isn’t just an ingredient. It’s the container for everything else. When you understand how to handle it, you’ll be able to repeat the recipe later with better results, even if you tweak fillings.

After the pastry work, you move into a choose-and-assemble phase. That shift is key because you go from careful prep to personal creativity fast.

Fillings and the Fun Part: Choosing Secret Options

Once the pastry is ready, you’ll choose your fillings and build your pies. The workshop includes classic pork pie components, but there are also extra secret fillings you can select from.

This matters because it gives you a reason to pay attention. You’re not just following instructions; you’re making decisions. And if you’re cooking with others in mind—picnics, parties, or just impressing a friend—this is how you tailor the final result to your taste.

Dietary needs are also addressed. The class is described as suitable for most dietary requirements, and JoJo teaches vegetarian options as well. If you’re vegetarian or cooking with someone who is, you’re not stuck in a separate workaround—you’ll be in the same workshop flow with appropriate choices.

Baking and the Finish You’ll Actually Remember

The final step is the payoff: eating a pork pie warm and fresh out of the oven. That’s not a tiny detail. Warm pork pie tastes different than cooled pie. The pastry stays more tender, and the filling feels more aromatic.

This is also where the pride kicks in. You spend the whole class preparing, assembling, and baking, and then you get to taste your result immediately. It turns the workshop from a fun activity into a souvenir you can eat on the spot.

One more practical note: you’re encouraged to bring your own booze to enjoy throughout the experience. If you like pairing food with something you chose yourself, this is where you can make it feel more like a proper outing.

Value for Money: Is $80 Worth It?

At $80 per person for about three hours, the price might look steep if you’re comparing it to a casual meal. But the real comparison is what’s included and what you take home.

You get:

• all facilities, equipment, and ingredients included
• step-by-step teaching for the pastry and assembly
• the cooking outcome—served warm at the end
• vegetarian options and flexibility for most dietary requirements

When ingredients and equipment are handled for you, you’re not paying extra to source hard-to-find items or replace missing tools. And when you learn a repeatable process like pork pie pastry and filling assembly, the class becomes more like a skill workshop than a one-time snack.

If you love food experiences that give immediate results, this is the kind of pricing that usually makes sense. If you’re only in it for a quick bite and zero hands-on time, it won’t feel as efficient.

Who This Class Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This works great for:

• Date night ideas that aren’t just dinner and a walk
• Family day out plans where everyone can participate at their own pace
• Solo travelers who want to meet people and do something tangible
• Food-focused visitors who like learning recipes you can actually repeat

You’ll also appreciate it if you enjoy slightly social settings. The workshop format naturally mixes conversation and teamwork while you work.

It might be less ideal if you dislike cooking or prefer fully guided touring with minimal mess. This is hands-on work with pastry, so you should be ready to roll up your sleeves and wear the right clothes.

What to Bring and How to Show Up Comfortable

For a smooth class day, stick to the basics:

• comfortable clothes
• closed-toe shoes

Those closed-toe shoes matter more than you’d think. Workshops involve kneading, handling ingredients, and getting flour and dough on your space. You want footwear that feels steady and easy to clean.

Also plan for your personal preferences. Because you’re invited to bring your own booze, decide in advance what you’ll bring and how you’ll handle it during the class. If you’d rather not drink alcohol, you can still enjoy the workshop without it—it’s optional, but bringing it is part of the experience setup.

Making the Most of Your Pork Pie Result at Home

Even if you don’t plan a full weekend baking session later, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of the process. You’ll know how to approach pastry, how fillings change the feel and flavor, and what it means to bake for a warm, satisfying finish.

A helpful mindset: treat this as training, not just entertainment. If you remember even a few key techniques—how the pastry should feel, how to assemble cleanly, and what warm pie tastes like—you’ll be ahead of someone working from a vague recipe later.

If you do want a themed cooking souvenir, the class works perfectly. You can recreate the pie idea at home and confidently adjust fillings the way the workshop encourages you to do.

Should You Book This London Pork Pie Cookery Class?

If you want a hands-on London food experience with real teaching, a fun vibe, and a warm meal you made yourself, I’d book it. The price feels more reasonable when you factor in included ingredients and equipment, plus the fact that you leave with skills that go beyond the oven-fresh moment.

Skip it only if you’re not interested in cooking or you’d rather spend your time on classic sightseeing instead. Otherwise, this is a very practical way to spend a morning or afternoon: you learn, you taste, and you get to bring the knowledge back with you.

FAQ

How long is the London traditional pork pie cookery class?

The workshop lasts 3 hours.

What is included in the $80 per person price?

You get the 3-hour class plus ingredients and teaching for making pork pies, along with the facilities and equipment needed.

Do I need to bring any ingredients or cooking tools?

No. Ingredients and equipment are included as part of the workshop.

Is the class suitable for dietary requirements?

Yes. The class is described as suitable for most dietary requirements, and vegetarian options are taught.

What should I wear to the class?

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.

Do I need to speak a specific language?

The instructor teaches in English.

Where do I meet the class?

Meet at Cook and Craft Collective. Check in at the reception, and the team will collect you at the start of the class.

Do I have to bring my own drinks?

You are encouraged to bring your own booze to enjoy throughout the experience.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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