The only bookshop in London purely devoted to cookery, Books for Cooks is a must for food lovers which makes it one of London's best kept secrets.
Step 1: What's the big secret?
Books for Cooks has often been described as the best-smelling shop in London – a justified accolade in VideoJug's opinion. The only shop in the city selling books purely devoted to cookery, here you can read the recipes, taste them in the shop's kitchen, and learn how to make them in an on-site workshop. Situated just off the famous Portobello Road, this delightful shop is a must for food fanatics.
Step 2: What's on offer?
The shelves are lined with hundreds of titles on cookery from around the world, hand selected by the shop's passionate, expert staff. What's more, browsers are offered the opportunity to taste the recipes on offer in Books for Cooks' famous test kitchen – the source of the delightful aroma that hits you when you enter the shop. Professional chefs bring recipes to life in the deliberately domestic-sized kitchen, proving that sensational results are possible in the home. All of the ingredients used are sourced as locally as possible, with much of the fruit and veg coming from nearby Portobello market.
Books for Cooks also offers customers the opportunity to hone their own cookery skills in one of the shop's many hands-on workshops. Taught by a variety of professional chefs, classes run two or three times a week in mornings, lunchtimes and evenings, with prices starting at £30 for a two-and-a-half hour session. Alternatively, why not take the opportunity to dine with your favourite chef at one of Books for Cooks' literary lunches? Details of all upcoming events are available on their website.
Step 3: Where is it?
Books for Cooks can be found at 4 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, just off Portobello Road. The nearest tube station is Ladbroke Grove on the Hammersmith and City line, with Notting Hill Gate a ten-minute walk away on the District, Circle and Central lines.
