Santiago Lastra’s Mexican Soul: Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class in London

Santiago Lastra: Mexican Soul brings the fierce, sunlit flavors of Mexico to a central London cookery studio at 300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX, UK. In this three-hour class, Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra — the creative force behind KOL and its sister restaurant Fonda — guides a lively group through techniques and recipes that marry Mexican tradition with British ingredients. Expect bright tomato and cherry aguachile, a coastal seabream à la Veracruzana, hands-on potato mash tortillas, rich pistachio guacamole and a barbacoa and salsa roja demonstration, followed by a shared feast at the chef’s table and your own signed copy of Mexican Soul to take home.

This is a practical, fast-moving workshop built around learning by doing. Attendees work in pairs at cooking stations, watched by expert teaching chefs, with short demonstrative moments from Santiago. Stations are equipped with all ingredients, aprons and tools; closed-toe shoes and attention to basic knife technique make the session safer and more productive. Accessibility is considered: the venue is wheelchair accessible, and younger cooks aged 15–17 can attend when booked with a supervising adult. Note that the class is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans or guests who do not eat fish.

Why make time for a city cooking class when London offers endless dining options? This experience is a direct route into the mind of a contemporary Mexican chef who adapts coastal and interior flavors for the UK palate. It’s part lesson, part tasting menu and part cultural exchange—ideal for food-focused travelers, culinary students, or anyone looking for a hands-on cultural anchor in the Oxford Street neighborhood. With a maximum group of forty, the atmosphere balances conviviality with the intimacy required for real learning.

Logistics are straightforward: arrive on time to make the most of the three-hour timetable; the provider requires seven days’ notice for refunds or rescheduling. Bring ID if you’re under 18, wear comfortable shoes, and leave luggage and large bags at your hotel—space is limited. After class, explore nearby berwick street food stalls, independent bakeries in Fitzrovia or a walk west toward the quiet green of Regent’s Park to digest both the meal and a new set of recipes. This is a compact, confident taste of Mexican cooking in the heart of London that rewards curiosity and appetite.

Expect hands-on tempo with clear demonstrations, opportunities to ask technique questions and tasting notes that explain ingredient substitutions for British seasons. The signed cookbook reinforces lessons at home; guests often return with menus planned for dinner parties and fresh ideas for sourcing ingredients across London’s markets. With a 40-person maximum, the session retains chef-focused energy while giving each pair enough space to practice. Booking is popular—reserve early to secure a weekend slot now available.