London: Traditional Pork Pie Cookery Class

A pork pie is a fine picnic snack, but making one from scratch is a better story to take home. In this three-hour class, JoJo teaches you her pastry recipe, helps you choose fillings, and guides you through making pies that come out of the oven ready to eat.

I like two things in particular: the class is hands-on, with ingredients and equipment supplied, and JoJo brings 20 years of teaching experience to the kitchen. One point to weigh up: this is a focused cookery workshop, not a broader food tour, and the exact meeting address and class size are not specified.

At a glance

• Make pastry from JoJo’s recipe: You’ll prepare the dough yourself rather than simply watch a demonstration.
• Choose your fillings: There are extra, secret filling options, and vegetarian pies are taught as well.
• Eat your work warm: The class finishes with fresh pies straight from the oven.
• Bring your own drinks: You’re welcome to bring booze to enjoy during the experience.
• Plan for three hours: The price is $80 per person, with ingredients and equipment included.
• Arrive at the reception: Buzz for Cook and Craft Collective, then wait in the reception area. There’s an onsite cafe where you can buy a hot drink.

The appeal of making a pie from scratch

Traditional pork pies are more than a filling wrapped in pastry. The pastry has to hold its shape around the filling, and the finished pie needs to be sturdy enough for a picnic or party table. This workshop gives you a chance to learn the process with a teacher beside you, rather than trying to work out the details from a recipe at home.

The class is led by JoJo, whose teaching experience spans 20 years. The emphasis is on making, not just tasting: you prepare pastry using her special recipe, select your fillings, and create your own pies. That makes the experience useful for a home cook who wants to take away a practical skill, as well as for someone simply looking for a sociable afternoon.

The finished pies are part of the point. You eat them warm, fresh from the oven, which is a different pleasure from buying a cold pie at a shop or packing one for a day out. The class also gives you the recipe as a keepsake, so you can try to repeat the work at home.

From reception to the kitchen

The meeting point is Cook and Craft Collective in South East England. When you arrive, buzz for the venue and make yourself comfortable in the reception. There’s an onsite cafe if you’d like to buy a hot drink while you wait, and the team will collect you when the class is due to begin.

The directions provided do not give a street address, so check your booking details for the precise location before setting off. The experience is titled London, but the stated location is South East England. If you’re planning a day around it, confirm the venue’s address rather than assuming it is in central London.

Once the class begins, expect a practical, upbeat session with JoJo. The class is taught in English, and all the ingredients and equipment are included. That’s a welcome detail: you don’t need to shop for special pastry supplies or bring kitchen tools, just arrive ready to cook.

Learning JoJo’s pastry method

The pastry is the foundation of the workshop. JoJo first shows you how to make it using her own recipe, then you get to put the method into practice. For a beginner, that hands-on instruction can make a recipe less mysterious. You can see how the process works and ask questions as you go, rather than guessing at home whether you’ve got it right.

The listing describes JoJo’s style as interactive and upbeat, and the class’s appeal seems to rest heavily on her warmth. People who have taken her workshops describe her as friendly and easy to learn from, with a relaxed manner that helps participants settle in. Music also adds to the sociable mood. This sounds less like a formal culinary exam and more like a welcoming class where you can enjoy the company as well as the cooking.

Still, the exact group size and amount of individual instruction are not stated. If you prefer a one-to-one lesson or want detailed technical coaching, ask the provider about the class format before booking. The promise here is a guided group workshop, not a private session.

Choosing fillings and shaping your pies

Once the pastry is ready, you choose your fillings and make your pies. The class includes extra, secret fillings, which adds a bit of choice to a traditional recipe. The precise options aren’t listed, so don’t count on a particular ingredient being available. If you have a dietary need, contact the provider in advance to confirm what can be accommodated.

Vegetarian pies are also taught. That is especially useful if you’re booking for a mixed group, or if pork isn’t right for everyone at the table. The activity is described as suitable for most dietary requirements, but that is not the same as a guarantee that every allergy or restriction can be handled. Check your specific needs before you pay.

Making your own pies is the part that gives this class its value beyond a meal. You choose the filling and shape the pastry yourself, so the result belongs to you. One participant left with a recipe to take home and the satisfaction of being able to show off a new skill. That’s a good measure of what the workshop offers: not professional training, but a clear, enjoyable introduction you can build on in your own kitchen.

The warm pie finale

The best part comes at the end, when the pies are eaten warm and fresh from the oven. It’s a simple but smart finish. You’ve done the work, and then you get to taste the result while it’s still hot, rather than carrying it away and wondering how it turned out.

The class description also invites you to bring your own booze to enjoy during the experience. No drinks are included, and there’s no need to bring alcohol if you’d rather not. A hot beverage is available for purchase at the onsite cafe while you wait, but the information does not specify what drinks are served during class.

You should also plan to eat what you make as part of the workshop. One participant described leaving with a full tummy, which is a useful reminder that this is not merely a short demonstration before dinner. If you have dietary restrictions, sort out the details ahead of time so you know what you can eat.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person for three hours, this is a mid-priced hands-on activity. The cost includes instruction, ingredients, equipment, and the chance to make and eat your pies. You’re paying for a guided class and a shared cooking experience, not simply for the food.

I think the value is strongest if you enjoy learning by doing. You leave with a recipe and a technique to practise at home, and the class is long enough to take you through the main stages of making the pies. If you only want to sample a pork pie, $80 is a lot for a snack. If you want an activity with a finished dish and a skill to remember, the price makes more sense.

There’s also a flexible booking option: you can reserve now and pay later. You may cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms can help if your plans are still taking shape, though you should check availability for your preferred start time before booking.

Who will enjoy this workshop?

This is a good fit for a couple looking for a hands-on date, friends who like cooking together, or a family seeking an indoor activity. It can also work well for a solo participant: the class is social, and the relaxed teaching style should make it easier to join in without arriving with a cooking partner.

It suits curious home cooks who want to learn a traditional savoury bake, especially if they value a practical recipe over a polished restaurant meal. The vegetarian option makes it more flexible for a group, but anyone with a particular dietary restriction should confirm the details first.

It may be less appealing if you want a full London food itinerary, a tour of multiple venues, or a class focused on advanced pastry technique. This is one workshop at Cook and Craft Collective, with the pies as the main event. There is no stated transport, sightseeing, or broader tasting component.

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. You won’t need to bring ingredients or equipment. If you want a drink during class, bring your own.

Should you book it?

Book this if you like the idea of making a classic savoury pie with an experienced, friendly teacher, and want to eat the results while they’re still warm. The strongest reasons to go are the hands-on format, JoJo’s welcoming style, and the chance to take a recipe home. At $80, it offers better value to someone who wants the cooking lesson as much as the meal.

Before booking, confirm the exact venue address and ask about any dietary needs that matter to you. If you’re happy with a three-hour class centered on pastry and pies, this looks like a satisfying way to spend an afternoon. If you’re after a broad food tour or a formal professional lesson, choose something more closely matched to that aim.

FAQ

How long is the pork pie class?

The workshop lasts three hours.

How much does the class cost?

The price is $80 per person.

Where does the class meet?

It meets at Cook and Craft Collective in South East England. Buzz for the venue and wait in the reception area. Check your booking details for the exact address.

Who teaches the workshop?

JoJo leads the class. She has 20 years of teaching experience, and instruction is in English.

Are ingredients and equipment included?

Yes. Ingredients and equipment are included, along with the three-hour workshop and teaching on how to make pork pies.

Can I bring a drink?

Yes. You can bring your own booze to enjoy during the experience. A hot beverage is also available to buy at the onsite cafe.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes. Vegetarian pies are taught as an option. The activity is suitable for most dietary requirements, but check with the provider about your specific needs.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. You do not need to bring ingredients or equipment.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.