Hobby Cooks – Authentic Indian cooking classes in Northampton

Authentic Indian Cookery Masterclasses

Welcome to HobbyCooks, where heritage recipes meet contemporary culinary art. Join me, Anita, in my bespoke garden kitchen in Northampton—a tranquil, purpose-designed sanctuary nestled within a serene zen garden.

Step into my kitchen to discover new skills in a natural, relaxed environment, and leave with the confidence to recreate every dish effortlessly at home."

Gift Voucher

“A HobbyCooks Gift voucher is a heartfelt way to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, and special milestones. Invite your loved ones into my kitchen table to learn, laugh and build confidence. Together, we’ll create delicious memories they will carry forever turning a simple gift into a lifelong passion.”

Cooking Classes

Join me in my kitchen and embark on a hands-on journey through the vibrant flavours and culinary traditions of India - and beyond. In small, friendly groups, you’ll chop, stir, and spice your way through authentic dishes from around the world, learning the stories, history, and science behind every flavour. Laugh, share, and create alongside friends old and new as we turn cooking into a fun, interactive, and unforgettable experience. This immersive treat will not just boost your confidence to cook delicious dishes but create lasting memories, stories to tell, and skills to recreate the magic at home.

Welcoming all, no matter your skill level

“Whether you are a kitchen novice or a seasoned home cook, my classes are designed to put you at ease. Join us to brush up on old skills or hone some new ones in the comfort of my family kitchen.”

For Everyone

" Move beyond the recipe book. Learn the "why" behind the spices and the "how" of traditional methods."

Top Cooking Class

"Experience an authentic, award-winning culinary journey right here in Northampton. From heritage stories to aromatic spices, every class is a premium, shared feast for the senses."

Chef & Founder of HobbyCooks Cooking School, Northampton

Meet Anita

“I believe that anyone can cook—it just takes the right ingredients and a bit of inspiration.

I’m Anita, an Indian chef and teacher on a mission to show you that authentic Indian food is simple, healthy, and incredibly rewarding to make at home. My kitchen in Northampton isn’t just a classroom; it’s a place where we share stories, history, and the joy of a home-cooked meal.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned foodie, I’ll help you move past recipes and start ‘cooking with your senses.’ From our signature Masterclasses to our social Supper Clubs, I invite you to roll up your sleeves and discover how vibrant and easy world cuisine can be.”

"We create fun, easy-to-learn recipes—providing cooking inspiration for all."

Anita Chipalkatty

Founder HobbyCooks

Our Classes

Choose your Culinary Journey

“Explore our curated Masterclasses and workshops. From foundational skills to regional secrets, find the perfect class to ignite your passion for authentic Indian cooking.”

Expert Instruction: Master authentic heritage techniques with a professional chef.
Bespoke Kitchen: Learn in a warm, fully-equipped professional home studio.
Everything Included: Fresh ingredients, professional equipment, and aprons.
Heritage Recipes: Detailed recipe packs to recreate every dish at home.

Authentic Masterclass

Taste of India

A hands-on journey through India’s vibrant flavours-from street food to royal recipes and classic curries. Learn, cook, and savour the diversity of Indian cuisine.

All food created is yours to take home to share with friends and family

Price - £125 per person

Regional Specialist

Coastal Flavours

Discover bright, coconut-based delicacies and the delicate art of seasoning fresh seafood with zesty, sun-drenched flavours.

Price - £125 per person

Traditional Workshop

Northern Flavours

Master the art of slow-cooked gravies, hand-ground spice blends, and the comforting textures of traditional hearth-baked breads.

Price - £125 per person

Seasonal Super Exp.

Absolute Vegetarian

A celebration of garden-fresh ingredients. Transform humble pulses and seasonal vegetables into hearty, spice-rich masterpieces.

Price - £125 per person

Our Events

Upcoming Cooking Workshops

"Join us for fun, hands-on cooking classes that explore the rich, vibrant flavours of Indian cuisine. Secure your seat at the table below."

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THE HOBBY COOKS EXPERIENCES

Authentic Flavours Made Effortlessly Simple

Intimate Groups

Limited to 4 participants to ensure every guest receives personalized attention and hands-on guidance.

Expert Guidance

Learn from Anita, an Indian chef and teacher dedicated to showing you that authentic cooking is simple and rewarding.

Hands-on Learning

From grinding whole spices to hand-stretching dough, you are the chef from start to finish.

Heritage Recipes

Receive a curated take-home recipe pack so you can recreate the magic of the masterclass in your own kitchen.

Recognised & Trusted By

Proudly Featured in

Testimonials

My 2 sisters and I had a private cookery lesson with Anita – held in her own home it was a lovely informal learning environment – and Anita was full of interesting ideas and advice about all things connected with Indian cookery!

- Karen

interesting and how and what to use with spices. How to use them. Cooking a meat dish and a vegetarian dish. Make naan bread onion bhaji.

- Colin Lovesy

I attended the Indian Masterclass cookery session today and I have to say that it was great. In a small group of 4, we cooked two really tasty curries, starters and chutneys, as well as naan bread. I thoroughly recommend the course and just hope now that I can recreate the cooking at home.

- Simon

My friend and I had a fantastic time cooking with Anita. There were lots of tips you would not get in a cookery book. Making ‘instant’ naan breads was a revelation! It was a wonderful and inspiring way to celebrate a birthday. Thank you Anita.

- Tilly

- Karen

interesting and how and what to use with spices. How to use them. Cooking a meat dish and a vegetarian dish. Make naan bread onion bhaji.

- Colin Lovesy

- Simon

- Tilly

    
 
 
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   Dale S 
 
 
 
 Verified Great cooking Fantastic day Good introduction into real Indian cookery Anita was a great inspiration 3 of us of different abilities enjoyed a fun day of cooking
  
 
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   ian m 
 
 
 
 Verified Recent experience I recently attended this Indian cookery class and had a wonderful experience. The facilities were top-notch, and the host was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I learned a great deal about Indian cuisine and cooking techniques. If you're a fan of Indian food, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this class a try!
  
 
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   Linda B 
 
 
 
 Verified Christmas present from the wife!! An enjoyable and informative afternoon. Look forward to trying the recipes at home.Would highly recommend to anyone.
  
 
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   Bill R 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic introduction to Indian food. What a lovely 3 hours spent with Anita at Hobby Cooks for her Indian Cooking Class.Small group of 4. Everything beautifully planned and explained. I went as a complete novice and came away with so much information about the preparation and execution of extremely tasty dishes. Came home laden with four containers of food to be enjoyed by the family. Thank you.
  
 
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   Simon T 
 
 
 
 Verified Flavours of the far east We had a great time, Anita was very welcoming. She talked us through the process at every stage and guided us with just the right amount knowledge for novices.We had loads of food to bring home even after eating some at the kitchen.It was great!
  
 
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   Mark S 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent experience An excellent time preparing and cooking several dishes. The facilities were very good and the tuition and guidance was informative and also fun. I thoroughly recommend this session if you have interest in cooking Indian food.
  
 
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   Sally B 
 
 
 
 Verified Brilliant day, making fabulous food! We did this course as a group of family members which made it, not only fun, but quite competitive! Anita was an engaging teacher who, not only gave clear instruction, but explained why we were using the various ingredients! We made a selection of dishes from all four corners of India and brought home a veritable feast!
  
 
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   Roopa 
 
 
 
 Verified DOE cooking skills Anita was a fantastic and engaging teacher , taught my teenage son basics of cooking . Despite being a novice he managed to make nutritious and delicious dishes along with getting his bronze DoE
  
 
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   Pam W 
 
 
 
 Verified Brilliant Thai Feast demonstration for 23 Anita did a fabulous Thai Feast cookery demonstation here in my kitchen for 23 ladies. The food was delicious and we enjoyed learning about the different spices and flavours that go into making a Thai green curry, Pad Thai and a peanut satay. This is the second time Anita has done a demo for us, last time she did an Indian taster menu. I thoroughly recommend Anita for a home demo. She is very personable and made our evening such a wonderful event. We all enjoyed it very much, thank you Anita.
  
 
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   Olivia 
 
 
 
 Verified Authentic Indian Cooking Fabulous morning learning to cook authentic Indian food! Not only did we make a range of fresh dishes (which we took home), we also learned about food culture, different spices and ingredients and how to use them to elevate a dish. Truly enjoyable session, would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an authentic experience!

    
 
 
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   Dale Saunders 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic time at Anita’s place Cooking some great curries and working with great ingredients First time making onion bhaji they were the best I have tasted better than takeaways It was great meeting others with different cooking abilities. Would definitely recommend this experience
  
 
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   Something Less Boring 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fabulous time with Anita in her lovely garden kitchen creating a range of delicious Indian dishes.  Thoroughly recommend!
  
 
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   sarah McCrossan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a fantastic experience from start to finish! Anita is Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, patient, and fun This course is everything I hoped it would be and more… I recommend it to anyone who wants to invest a little time in their cooking skills and expanding their repertoire The food was a huge hit with my family - Anita has inspired me to want to learn more about Indian food and the country and cultures ?
  
 
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   Paul Merry 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic time learning new cooking techniques with Anita. She was very knowledgeable and personable. I would recommend her courses to anyone.
  
 
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   Stevie Haynes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Anita gave an excellent Taste of India demonstration to our WI Group. Very entertaining and we all had a taste of her delicious food.
  
 
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   Pauline Wiseman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fabulous day with Anita learning to cook a delicious Thai meal. It was a birthday treat with my family and all of us had great fun and learnt a lot. Anita made us so welcome in her beautiful kitchen. I would throughly recommend these cookery classes