This June, Petersham Nurseries will be collaborating with two of the teams’ most loved restaurants to host the first in a series of exclusive workshops.

Head Chef Damian Clisby has invited Avinash Shashidhara from The River Café and Jane Alty from The Begging Bowl to each lead a cooking class at the Nurseries, during which a limited number of guests will learn how to bring the magic of their menus into their own homes.

Fittingly set against a backdrop of foliage and exotic plants, the sessions offer a unique way to spend a summer’s day at the internationally acclaimed Petersham Nurseries.

Vegetarian Indian Cookery Workshop With Avinash Shashidhara


On Thursday 9th June, Head Chef Damian Clisby will welcome Avinash Avi Shashidhara from the River Café to Petersham to host a vegetarian workshop inspired by the cuisine of southwest India. 

Drawing on experiences from his background, heritage and culture Avi will demonstrate how to cook flavoursome vegetable-based dishes. Born and raised in Bangalore, Avi spent much of his childhood exploring local markets with his father. Here he learnt about exotic fruits and vegetables, and how to incorporate them into traditional recipes.

The workshop hopes to immerse guests into the colour, spices, diversity and flavour of authentic Indian cooking. Throughout the session, he will share his passion and wisdom, by introducing seasonal, simple and healthy dishes from his home state, Karnataka. 

Guests will learn to prepare some of Avi’s favourite dishes, including split mung bean and cucumber salad, homemade pickles and assorted sweet treats.  

The Vegetarian Indian Cookery Workshop With Avinash Shashidhara is on 9th June 2016, from 11.30am – 3.00pm. Spaces are limited. Workshop tickets are £115 per person.

Thai Cooking Workshop with Jane Alty from The Begging Bowl

This June, Jane Alty from the Begging bowl in Peckham joins Petersham Nurseries for a special hands-on cookery workshop during which participants will learn how to create deliciously fragrant bowls of food that authentically reflect Thai cooking.

Since launching in 2012, The Begging Bowl in Peckham has brought the spirit of Thai street food to South East London and has steadily grown in popularity over the past few years.

The restaurant’s food reflects the way Thai people eat today – seasonal small sharing plates, which are served as soon as they are cooked. Incorporating fresh local produce, as well as exotic ingredients direct from Thailand, The Begging Bowl chefs make fresh coconut cream daily, creating each dish from scratch.

Imparting her knowledge and the restaurant’s ethos, Jane will lead a hands-on workshop with audience participation, providing demonstrations on how to make crispy pork skin with grilled banana relish and green papaya salad, among other authentic Thai dishes.

The Thai Cooking Workshop with Jane Alty from The Begging Bowl in Peckham is on Thursday 16th June, from 10.30am to 3.00pm.

Spaces are limited. Workshop tickets are £115 per person and include refreshments on arrival, workshop and lunch with a Petersham Prosecco and a glass of house wine.

To book or for more details on culinary workshops at Petersham Nurseries please visit www.petershamnurseries.com 

Photo by:Marimo Images www.marimoimages