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At a Glance
📍 Location: Forest Hill, South London
💷 Price: £75 per person, or £140 for two
🍴 Cuisine: Nigerian
⏱️ Duration: 3 hours, including cooking and dining
👤 Age: 18+ (participants 17 and under welcome with an adult over 21 who's also taking part)
👥 How you'll work: in pairs, at your own cooking station
🥘 Dietaries: Adaptable for vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian diets
A pounded yam and egusi cooking class in London
Smooth, pillowy pounded yam with a rich bowl of soup is the ultimate Nigerian comfort food. Legend even credits yam with giving Nigeria one of the highest twin birth rates in the world.
In this hands-on class you'll learn to make iyan (pounded yam) from fresh yam, alongside efo elegusi: nutty melon seed soup cooked with vibrant leafy greens, tripe and smoked mackerel, with chicken or mushroom. You'll explore the textures, techniques and traditions behind Nigerian soups and okele (also known as swallow). No experience is needed; every step is demonstrated first.
What you'll learn
- Pound yam the traditional way – learn the rhythm and technique for pounding fresh yam into a smooth, stretchy iyan without lumps.
- Toast and blend egusi – discover how melon seeds become a creamy, nutty soup base.
- Build your efo elegusi – blend peppers and onions into a rich base, then add greens so they stay vibrant.
- Layer your proteins – cook tripe, smoked mackerel and chicken (or mushroom) so each one adds depth to the soup.
- Eat it the traditional way – learn how iyan and soup are served and eaten together.
What you'll eat and drink
- A welcome drink on arrival.
- Iyan (pounded yam) – smooth, white and pillowy.
- Efo elegusi – melon seed soup with leafy greens, tripe and smoked mackerel.
- Chicken or mushroom – depending on your dietary requirements (vegetarian and vegan versions available).
- Your choice of zobo (hibiscus, ginger, pineapple) or Chapman (cucumber, orange, lemon, blackcurrant).
- Water and tea are available throughout the class.
How the class runs
- All ingredients, equipment and aprons are provided.
- Easy-to-follow demonstrations come first, then you'll cook at your own station.
- You'll work in pairs to cook the dishes together.
- Once everything's cooked, we'll sit down to enjoy your iyan feast (or you can pack up a box to take home).
- You'll receive a digital recipe pack after class so you can cook everything again at home.
Things to know before you book
- You're welcome to book on your own. We'll pair you with another solo guest on the day.
- This is a hands-on class, so we can't accommodate spectators or provide a waiting area for friends and family. Everyone attending needs a ticket and takes part in the cooking.
- All ingredients are prepared in a shared kitchen where common allergens may be present. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when you book.
- Looking for a gift? Book two places for £140, or buy a gift voucher.
More West African cooking classes in London:
Amazing Abula · Nigerian Jollof · Nigerian Street Food · Nigerian Breakfast