Kickstart your kitchen journey
Chef James Knight-Paccheco is bringing his kitchen expertise to the classroom with a new hands-on cookery school launching in Dubai on October 31. The new Chef JKP Cookery School will run weekly classes every Saturday from a purpose-built demonstration kitchen, with two small-group sessions held each day.
Designed for everyone from complete beginners to keen home cooks, the classes will focus on practical skills rather than professional-level techniques. The opening programme includes Dinner Party Classics, Breakfast Essentials, and Basic Fish and Meat Cookery, covering everything from knife skills and preparation to everyday cooking techniques.
Each session will see guests prepare the dishes themselves before sitting down to enjoy their creations or taking them home. Recipe packs and a selection of gifts will also be included.
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Knight-Paccheco brings more than two decades of experience across kitchens in the UK and Middle East. He has worked alongside chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Raymond Blanc and Michael Caines, and was part of the team at Abu Dhabi restaurant Ryba when it received a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Michelin Opening of the Year recognition.
His own accolades include Executive Chef of the Year at the Hotelier Middle East Awards and Chef of the Year at The Pro Chef Middle East Awards.
“This is about making good cooking feel more approachable,” says Knight-Paccheco. “It is not aimed at professionals. It is for anyone who loves food and wants to develop the skills and confidence to cook well at home.”
Premium cookware brand HexClad will be the school’s official cookware partner, with its signature hybrid pans used throughout the classes.
The programme will eventually expand beyond the initial cooking fundamentals, with guest-chef sessions, community partnerships and special classes exploring different cuisines and culinary themes. Private classes, corporate events and bespoke sessions will also be available.
Bookings are now open, with classes starting on 31 October.
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
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