There are other cooking classes in Manchester, but COOK! is unique because we specialise entirely in vegetarian and vegan cookery. As part of the Vegetarian Society, every class supports our charitable work while giving you practical skills you’ll use long after the day is over.

Every year, hundreds of people choose COOK! to learn vegetarian and vegan cookery, from complete beginners to professional chefs looking to expand their plant-based skills. We’re proud to be rated 4.9/5 by our visitors (on Trip Advisor and Google Reviews) and to have built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading specialist plant-based cookery schools.

Our classes are ideal for:

• Complete beginners
• Confident home cooks
• Vegetarians
• Vegans
• People wanting to eat more plant-based meals
• Couples
• Friends looking for an experience day
• Individuals attending on their own
• Foodies looking to learn new cuisines
• Anyone buying a cooking experience as a gift

Yes, almost all of the vegetarian cooking classes are vegan adaptable. Just tick that you require vegan when you book online.

Yes. We are proud that our Manchester cookery school is part of a charity which campaigns for a better future for people, the planet and animals. When you attend a cookery class you are helping us to create a food system that chooses compassion over cruelty. The team at COOK! is passionate about reducing barriers to create fresh, nutritious meals from scratch. They work in the local community to teach plant-based cookery and deliver meals to those in need. You can find out more about the charity’s work here.

Gift vouchers for COOK! with the Vegetarian Society are the perfect present for anyone who loves food. You can purchase a voucher for a specific experience or buy vouchers that are redeemable for any of our cookery experiences. Our cooking class gift vouchers make great Christmas, Birthday, Wedding and Anniversary gifts for family and friends.  The voucher will be emailed to you, so you can send on to the lucky recipient! We also have a letterbox-friendly gift set which includes an apron and voucher. Find out more about COOK! gift experiences and vouchers here.

• Learn practical cookery skills you’ll use at home
• Discover exciting flavours from around the world
• Build confidence in the kitchen
• Create impressive dishes for family and friends
• Meet like-minded food lovers in a welcoming atmosphere

Plant-based cooking continues to grow in popularity, with more people choosing to cook vegetarian and vegan meals at home than ever before. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or simply looking to eat more vegetables, learning how to cook delicious plant-based meals can help you save money, reduce food waste, increase variety and gain confidence in the kitchen. Our classes focus on practical techniques and flavour, making it easy to recreate dishes at home.

• Expert tuition from a friendly COOK! tutor
• All ingredients, recipes and equipment
• A COOK! apron to wear in the class
• Digital copies of all recipes
• On full day courses you will be having what you cook for lunch
• On Curry Club and Supper Club you will enjoy your food at the end of the class with the group
• Complimentary refreshments on arrival (further refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the class)

For a relaxed evening out, join the popular Curry Club or Supper Club. You’ll cook a delicious meal with expert guidance before sitting down to enjoy it with the rest of the group – a memorable alternative to a restaurant night out. If you’re looking for a deeper dive, half-day and full-day cookery classes are a great choice.

Curry Club and Supper Club classes are two hours long, half-day classes are three hours, and full-day classes are six hours. We also run shorter workshops which are 90 minutes, and a five-day cookery course.

Please bring containers for taking food away with you. There will be the opportunity to purchase additional refreshments and merchandise such as aprons. Please note that we are a cashless establishment and only accept card payments.

Yes, a lot of people attend the classes on their own and always leave with new friends. COOK! is inclusive and everyone is welcome. A warm welcome awaits you!

We recommend wearing flat shoes and no open toes for safety. It can get warm in the kitchen so wear clothes you are comfortable to move around in and ensure you can remove or add a layer to adjust your temperature. You should avoid really loose clothing which could get caught on something and we recommend long hair is tied back around the work stations.

Yes. Please don’t worry if you are a beginner as our classes are suitable for all levels. All you need is a willingness to learn and give things a go!

The classes are designed for adults but we do accept bookings for under 18’s by prior arrangement when accompanied by a paying adult (no under 12’s). We advise Supper Clubs and longer classes are best for adults or 16+. Short workshops and half-day classes usually work better for young people. Get in touch with cook@vegsoc.org and let us know what you would like to book. We can then advise if the class would be suitable.

Our classes have a maximum number of 18 people in them. Numbers can vary depending on the class and the time of year.

Yes. After your cookery experience, you will be emailed a pack for you to keep containing all the recipes you learned on the day.

Yes, when you book online you can use your vouchers at the checkout.

Couples are welcome at all our classes, and you can cook beside the person you attend with. If you also fancy more of a restaurant date vibe then look out for our ‘Date Night Supper Clubs’ which have been designed especially for couples to cook, learn and eat together.

For teambuilding we recommend contacting us directly to discuss your requirements so we can put together a bespoke cookery experience for you to meet your teambuilding needs.

Yes, our classes are a great way to celebrate a birthday. If you would like to come with a group of friends and family to celebrate your birthday, we can also arrange a private class booking for you.

After your class you’ll be able to:

• Cook delicious vegetarian meals with confidence
• Prepare balanced vegan dishes
• Use herbs and spices more effectively
• Cook tofu and other plant proteins successfully
• Adapt recipes for vegan diets
• Recreate recipes at home

If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please contact our friendly team before booking to check whether the course is suitable for you.

Email: cook@vegsoc.org

Call: 0161 925 2000

Based in Ancoats, Manchester city centre, COOK! welcomes visitors from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the wider North West. With excellent public transport links, the cookery school is just a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly. Blue badge parking is available on site but must be booked. There are several carparks within a 5–10-minute walk from the cookery school.

The cookery school has state-of-the-art visual and audio equipment, including a hearing loop. There is a platform lift to the 1st floor where COOK! is located and step-free access to the building. We have lower work stations available for seated use and wheelchair users. Blue badge/accessible parking is available on site, please contact us to book cook@vegsoc.org

Pacemakers: Our hobs are induction. If you have a pacemaker, please get in touch before booking. We can provide portable gas hobs; however, it may not be possible to maintain a safe distance in busy classes, so advance discussion is essential.

No, absolutely not. Everyone is welcome at COOK!, regardless of their dietary choices. We want everyone to enjoy plant-based cookery and our classes are about creating delicious dishes with quality ingredients so that people can experience new flavours, textures and cuisines.

All classes are listed on our website, two to three months ahead, but please book early to avoid disappointment. To be the first to hear about new classes and listings, sign up for our COOK! newsletter here. You can also follow us on social media @cookwiththevegetariansociety to keep up to date with all the latest cookery school news, competitions and tips.

Yes, we can cater for private bookings and are a popular choice for memorable celebrations such as birthdays and Christmas parties. You can find out more about private hire here.

We organise bespoke corporate cooking events for businesses across Manchester, from small team-building sessions to larger client events and company celebrations. Our hands-on plant-based cooking experiences are designed to bring teams together in a fun, relaxed environment. We also hire out the kitchen for professional filming and as a test kitchen for recipe development. You can find out more about corporate hire here.

Yes, we offer practical plant-based, vegetarian and vegan catering training for schools, healthcare, hospitality and commercial catering teams. Delivered by experienced chef tutors who understand real kitchens, real constraints and real service environments. Find out more about catering training here.

We are proud of these facts:

• Specialist vegetarian and vegan cookery school
• Expert professional tutors
• Purpose-built teaching kitchen
• Part of the Vegetarian Society (charity owned)
• Practical hands-on learning
• Small, friendly classes
• Recipes to recreate at home
• Hundreds of students each year
• Established since 1982
• 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating
• 9/5 Trip Advisor Rating
• 9/5 on Google Reviews
• Hundreds of free meals provided to those in need
• Professional training provided to schools, hospitals and restaurants
• We help people to build cookery skills in the community to make plant-based food accessible