Incredible Iyan!

At a Glance

📍 Location: Forest Hill, London

💷 Price: £75

🍴 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

🥘 Dietaries: Adaptable for vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian. Please note, while I take care to adapt recipes for dietary requirements, all ingredients are prepared in a shared kitchen where common allergens may be present.

A Journey Through Nigerian Soups & Okele

Smootħ and pillowy soft pounded yam served with a duo of soups is the ultimate Nigerian comfort food. It's the dish that is supposedly responsible for giving Nigerians the highest twin rate in the world! In this immersive class, you'll learn to make the perfect pounded yam (iyan) alongside two classic soups, vibrant efo riro and nutty egusi, discovering the techniques that transform simple ingredients into a harmonious feast.

Master the art of Nigerian soups and okele (also known as swallow and sometimes fufu) as you explore the textures, techniques and traditions behind this beloved meal. From achieving the perfect smooth consistency in your pounded yam to creating rich soups, you'll gain hands-on skills and cultural insight whilst learning how to make these traditional recipes in a modern kitchen.

How we'll spend our time:

• Experience traditional techniques – from the rhythmic pounding motion for iyan to the different ways of making egusi, you'll connect with authentic Nigerian cooking methods.
• Cook egusi to perfection – discover how to toast and blend melon seeds into a creamy, nutty soup that's both comforting and protein-rich.
• Prepare fresh efo riro – build your efo riro based by blending onions and peppers then work with spinach leaves and learn the best way to stew them and maintain the vibrant green leaves.
• Master the art of pounded yam – learn the technique of pounding fresh yam, working quickly to achieve that signature smooth, stretchy texture without lumps.
• Balance the duo – understand how these efo riro and egusi complement each other and learn the traditional way of serving them together on one plate.
• Take a seat at the table  - enjoy your iyan feast with both soups, served in the traditional style.

What we'll eat & drink:

• Sparkling Palm Wine - a welcome drink from Manya Wines (a non alcoholic welcome drink will be available too)
• Iyan (pounded yam) – smooth yam okele with its distinctive white colour and pillowy texture.
• Efo Riro – vibrant leafy green soup coated in reduce aromatic pepper sauce.
• Egusi – creamy, nutty melon seed soup with a protein source of your choice (based on your dietary requirements).
  • chicken
  • prawns
  • mushroom (v, ve)
• A choice of soft drink – choose a complimentary drink: 
  • Zobo - hibiscus, ginger, pineapple
  • Chapman - cucumbers, orange, lemon, blackcurrant
  • Bitter Lemon - lemon, bitters, mint
• Water and tea is provided throughout the class.

How the class will run:

• All ingredients, equipment and aprons will be provided.
• I'll lead you through easy to follow demos before you have a go at your cooking station.
• You'll work in pairs to recreate the dishes together.
• Once everything's cooked, we'll gather around the table to enjoy your Incredible Iyan feast (or pack up a box to take home if you prefer).
• You'll receive a digital recipe pack after class with everything you need to recreate these dishes at home.

Things to know before you book:

• You're welcome to book on your own. If the class is full I'll pair you with another solo attendee on the day.
• The class includes demos, hands-on cooking, and time to sit down and enjoy the food you've made together.
• This is a hands-on cooking class, so I'm afraid I can't accommodate spectators or provide a waiting area for friends and family. Everyone attending needs to have a ticket and be actively participating.

Other Classes:

Amazing Abula!

Nigerian Street Food