by Lauren Mulhearn
For a decade, Little Kitchen has been teaching Bristolians to roll, roast, and simmer their way to dinner-table triumphs. Now, as they sadly prepare to close this February, we couldn’t miss the chance to celebrate this local gem and all they’ve brought to the Bristol food scene.
My mum and I, both keen cooks, headed to their tapas class (after a quick rum and coke at the pub across the road). We weren’t too sure exactly what to expect, but by the end we’d picked up a load of new tricks and techniques that we’ve already started using at home.
From the start, our teacher Sarah, made everything feel hands-on yet approachable. She demoed each dish and then let us get stuck in. First up was the croqueta mix. Despite never having made croquetas before, they turned out beautifully, with a silky leek and Parmesan filling and golden, perfectly crisp casing. Next, we tackled chorizo sizzled in red wine (with a veggie version for me), which we enjoyed with a baguette as a quick snack – or bocadillo.
Then it was onto patatas bravas. We par-boiled the potatoes and roasted them until they were slightly crunchy, while a rich tomato sauce bubbled gently alongside. Everything came together with a generous dollop of Little Kitchen’s roasted garlic aioli – it was addictive, and we will definitely be trying to recreate it at home.
We wrapped up the night sitting down together to enjoy our feast, finishing with a little lemon posset for dessert. Photos of the recipe cards in hand, we left ready to recreate the whole spread at home.
Little Kitchen was born from a shared love of cooking and hosting, discovered by founders Claire and Madeleine at a cake decorating class. Over the years, they’ve inspired countless people to cook from scratch, building not just a loyal customer base, but also a community of staff, suppliers, and food lovers who have made Little Kitchen a cornerstone of Bristol’s small business scene.
As Claire & Madeleine hang up their aprons, they leave behind a legacy of bolstering cooking confidence and encouraging a sense of community. In these final months, they’re offering private party sessions – ideal for work socials or family gatherings. So, if you’re after a fun, hands-on way to celebrate a Bristol favourite – and pick up a few new tricks for the kitchen – grab a friend (and maybe a bottle) and book a class before they close.
