Free fun in London - a cookery demo at Borough Market with GBBO's Beca Lyne Pirkis.

Apologies right here and now for those of you who never get to come to London. You are missing out on being able to visit one of my favourite places on earth - Borough Market

The market which nestles in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral just a skip away from London Bridge Underground describes itself as a haven for anyone who cares about the quality and provenance of the food they eat.

I was introduced to Borough Market just a couple of years ago by a foody friend one sunny day when we were trying to avoid spending a fortune on lunch in central London. 

We started with a glass of Prosecco which we drank whilst drinking in the sights, sounds and smells of this amazing market.

We then spent well over an hour exploring every nook and cranny, accepting tasters as we wandered finally settling on street food from stalls by the Cathedral. I sat in the Cathedral grounds soaking up the sun and a very cosmopolitan atmosphere whilst enjoying my bargain lunch!

It's a great place to take the children, to try new foods and to source top quality, fresh, foreign and unusual ingredients and to top all that Borough Market has now launched a series of free cooking demonstrations focused on easy, wholesome and healthy meals for the whole family – even your little critics.

tasting in the Borough Market demonstration kitchen

The Dinner’s Ready! Series will take place once a month and will see high profile chefs, who are parents themselves, tackle a family food issue from interesting ways to ensure the little ones get their five a day to cooking wholesome meals on a budget and fast fixes for hungry tummies.

The series, free for the public to attend, began in January with Chef Katherine Frelon whilst February’s event (on Thursday Feb 26) will include a session by The Great British Bake Off runner up Beca Lyne Pirkis.

She will be showing how to make some nostalgic recipes she grew up with, including Welsh Cakes ahead of St David’s Day and handing out recipes to try at home.


This will be followed by home cook and regular demonstration chef Lesley Holdship, who’ll be imparting her knowledge on how to feed young families.

The series will continue to run once a month throughout the year, from 12.30pm-2pm in the Market Hall Demonstration Kitchen giving a behind the scenes look at how top chefs feed their growing brood.

Keith Davies from Borough Market “Home cooking isn’t just about producing a meal. It’s about cooking together, learning together and having fun together. This is echoed by Borough Market’s core values. It’s a place for people to connect, be inspired, share food and awaken their senses.”

Visitors are being encouraged to bring along the whole family to the events. Attendees will get to learn how to make three separate recipes and sample some of the delicious food on offer.

I urge you to go - this is such an amazing opportunity and it's free. Don't forget to allow some time to explore all the market has to offer. I guarantee you will find something for your friends birthday, your next dinner party and something to eat on the way home!