KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes
KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes
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Cook authentic Japanese Food

Cook authentic Japanese FoodCook authentic Japanese FoodCook authentic Japanese Food

Learn the best way at KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes and create authentic, delicious, seasonal and healthy Japanese food.

Join Now
Learn More

Cook authentic Japanese Food

Cook authentic Japanese FoodCook authentic Japanese FoodCook authentic Japanese Food

Learn the best way at KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes and create authentic, delicious, seasonal and healthy Japanese food.

Join Now
Learn More

Send a KOTOKOTO gift voucher to someone special on mother's day, the 30th of March.

Send a KOTOKOTO gift voucher to someone special on mother's day, the 30th of March.

Send a KOTOKOTO gift voucher to someone special on mother's day, the 30th of March.

Send a KOTOKOTO gift voucher to someone special on mother's day, the 30th of March.

Send a KOTOKOTO gift voucher to someone special on mother's day, the 30th of March.

Send a KOTOKOTO gift voucher to someone special on mother's day, the 30th of March.

New! Open classes are running every month.

You don't need to be in a group, every month there will be opportunities for individuals or a couple to join in a class, too. 

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New service!

KOTOKOTO Japanese cookery classes will come to you!

 Would you like to host a home party or organise a small community gathering for 5+people?  KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes will come to you!   


This taster class is suitable for 5-11 people (including children under 18).  
Class: Sushi taster or Seasonal Menu taster
Price: £30 p/p for 5+ people, £20 p/p for 8+ people
Duration: 1 1/2 hours
Place: at your home or local community centre
*Time and dates open, can be discussed
*Travelling distance up to 20 miles 

*All the ingredients, the recipe and welcome snacks are included. 

Taster Class

Sushi Taster;

We will make sushi rice with freshly cooked rice, make sushi rolls (both thin and thick). 

Seasonal Menu Taster;

We will cook one of the main dishes (meat, fish or vegan) and make the vegan side dish from the seasonal menu.  Plain rice will be freshly cooked on site.

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KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes

History

The name KOTOKOTO is onomatopoeic and describes the gentle sounds of simmering.  KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes in Gloucestershire started in January 2022, but the history goes much further back.

I have been passionate about cooking and food since when I was a child and they have been the centre of my life; whether enjoying every school meal or helping my mum and grandmother in the kitchen.  It has always brought me joy to cook for friends and family as I know good food is always appreciated and that it brings people together.  When I was travelling and living abroad, I got to know different countries by tasting their local food and connected with people from other countries through cooking together.  So, it was clear to me that I wanted to teach Japanese cooking when I moved to the U.K.  My purpose of KOTOKOTO Japanese cookery classes is to share my passion and inspire you to create authentic, delicious, seasonal and healthy Japanese food so that you can enrich your health and lifestyle. 

About Me

Hello, my name is Yuri.  I was trained in Japanese cooking.  I was born and brought up in Japan, but I've been living in the U.K for nearly two decades.  Cooking and food are my life-long passion.  I started to learn to cook when I was 7 years old and I have been cooking for my family and friends ever since.  I've also enjoyed sharing knowledge and experience with other people along the way.  Since I moved to the U.K, not only have I embraced the challenge of incorporating unfamiliar British vegetables, but also adopted alternative ingredients as traditional Japanese ingredients are not always available here.  Japanese cooking might sound difficult, but it is generally simple to prepare and cook with just a few fresh ingredients and Japanese seasonings.  The thing I enjoy most about the classes is meeting people and sharing our experiences of food and life.  Another of my passions is gardening, and this includes growing fresh vegetables both for my family and for use in our classes.  

Classes

I am delighted to welcome you to my kitchen in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire where you are promised an enjoyable and personal experience.  I use ingredients that are easy to source so that you can create the dishes easily at home.  You will receive the recipe and I'll be happy to answer any questions during and after the class.  I offer a variety of classes for all ages.  

  • Days available to book: Wednesdays and Saturdays (school term only) 
  • Time: 10.30- 13.00
  • Price: £60 per person (except children's class)
  • the recipe, all the ingredients, and welcome green tea & Japanese snacks are included 
  • most classes are suitable for vegetarian and vegan
  • available for a group of 2-4 people
  • time for tasting is included
  • weather and season permitting, we will also pick some of the ingredients for the lesson. 

There are also opportunities for you to join a class as individuals or as a couple.  Please check the details and the dates on the downloads.

   

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Philosophy

Life-Enriching

I strongly believe that cooking is an important life skill.  Learning to cook Japanese food yourself will not only  enrich your health and lifestyle, but also will give you a real insight into the uniqueness of Japanese culture.

Enjoyable

Learning new skills with your friends and family or in a community is a great fun and positive experience.  And knowing what is in your food gives you a sense of control, too.    

Authentic

When you come to my class, I would like you to feel as if you were in Japan.  I use traditional Japanese ingredients and cooking utensils where possible.  I follow traditional cooking methods while making them more accessible to home cooking.  We serve our food in beautiful dishes, most of which have been brought from Japan.

Seasonal

Seasonality is the key element in Japanese cooking whether in professional world or at home.  Japanese people cook with what's locally available in season, which results in healthy eating, so I am passionate about cooking seasonally with vegetables grown in this country and other locally sourced ingredients where possible. I grow Japanese vegetables and herbs as well as common vegetables such as beans, peas and lettuces, with the intention of using them in classes.   

Current Classes

Sushi for beginners Class

Duration: 2-2 1/2 hours 

Price: £60 per person

You'll make...

 one Futomaki (thick roll) and one Hosomaki (thin roll).



You'll learn...

how to prepare and cook rice on a hob, how to make perfect sushi rice, how to make sweet Tamagoyaki (layered egg omelette) , lots of tips to make perfect sushi rolls  and how to source and prepare a variety of Japanese ingredients.

Seasonal Menu Class

Duration: 2 -2 1/2 hours

Price: £60

You'll cook...

 a main (choose one for your group from Meat, Fish or Vegan option), seasonal rice or plain rice, a soup with seasonal vegetables (fish-and kelp-based or kelp-based) and a side dish.

You'll learn...

how to prepare and cook Japanese rice on a hob,

how to make stock for a soup from fish and kelp or just kelp and how to source and prepare a variety of Japanese ingredients.


View the current menu

Entertaining/Party Menu Class

 This menu features food which can be prepared in advance and looks really appealing, so it's ideal for entertaining and parties alike
Duration: 2-2 1/2 hours

Price: £60 per person
You'll cook...

salmon mixed sushi with ginger and sesame seeds, cooked chicken rolls with vegetables, and Dashimaki Tamago (layered egg omelette with fish stock).

You'll learn....

how to prepare and cook Japanese rice on a hob and how to source and prepare a variety of Japanese ingredients. 

Entertaining/Party Vegan Menu Class

This menu features food that you can prepare before the party, looks great, and will impress your friends and guests!


Duration: 2-2 1/2 hours

 Price: £60 per person
You'll cook...

vegan Chirashizushi (mixed sushi with carrots, dried shiitake mushrooms and lotus), cooked vegetables wrapped in deep-fried tofu, simmered vegetables and miso grazed aubergine or other alternative vegetable. 

You'll learn...

 how to prepare and cook Japanese rice on a hob and how to source and prepare a variety of Japanese ingredients.  

Children's Picnic /Bento (packed lunch) Menu Class

This menu features the dishes that are the most popular choices among Japanese children and are simple to prepare - although adults find them delicious as well!  This is the ideal class for learning to cook as a family, whatever your age. 

Duration: 1 1/2hours
Price: £30 per person
You'll make...

Onigiri (rice balls) with or without fillings, Tamagoyaki  (sweet layered egg omelette) and Chicken Karaage (Japanese style deep-fried chicken), accompanied by vegetables in season.  

You'll learn...

how to cook Japanese rice on a hob, and also discover some Japanese ingredients.  
*please note that children under 18 years need to be accompanied by an adult. 

*a minimum number for this class is 4 people.

Give a life-enriching experience to someone special today!

Gift Voucher

Send a gift voucher to your friends and family who love cooking, travelling, Japanese food and culture, or just new experiences.  Vouchers are available to purchase for regular, children's and taster classes.  For an inquiry, please fill in the contact form.

Class Photos

    Cusotmer reviews

    Learning to cook sushi rice was brilliant!

    A thoroughly enjoyable morning, finished off by eating the delicious meal we cooked.

    We did sushi making with Yuri today and it was amazing!!

     Cooking the omelette as one of the fillings was an interesting experience.

     As a vegetarian I felt comfortable, there was enough choice of fillings and a good clean environment........Definitely recommended.

    Chan, February 2022 

    We did sushi making with Yuri today and it was amazing!!

    A thoroughly enjoyable morning, finished off by eating the delicious meal we cooked.

    We did sushi making with Yuri today and it was amazing!!

    I can't wait to make it all again, it was so delicious. Yuri was a fantastic teacher and host, I highly recommend.

    Carly, May 2022

    A thoroughly enjoyable morning, finished off by eating the delicious meal we cooked.

    A thoroughly enjoyable morning, finished off by eating the delicious meal we cooked.

    A thoroughly enjoyable morning, finished off by eating the delicious meal we cooked.

     Thank you Yuri for the informative and interesting insight into Japanese cooking and culture.

    Helen, January 2024
     

    Had an absolutely fantastic cooking class with Yuri today for the spring menu.

    Had an absolutely fantastic cooking class with Yuri today for the spring menu.

    A thoroughly enjoyable morning, finished off by eating the delicious meal we cooked.

      Yuri talks you through the whole process & talks you through what you’re doing and why. She explained everything so well and the outcome was fab, we definitely enjoyed eating it all at the end. Thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely be recreating the dishes at home.

    Becky, March 2024

    We had a fabulous morning having a Japanese cookery class with Kotokoto.

    Had an absolutely fantastic cooking class with Yuri today for the spring menu.

    We had a fabulous morning having a Japanese cookery class with Kotokoto.

      We really enjoyed learning from Yuri, her approach is very relaxed and interesting, explaining the processes, options for the recipes and giving us information about where to source good Japanese ingredients.  We also thoroughly enjoyed eating the delicious dishes.

    Ruth, March 2024

    We learned a lot about Japanese cooking culture.

    Had an absolutely fantastic cooking class with Yuri today for the spring menu.

    We had a fabulous morning having a Japanese cookery class with Kotokoto.

    The food was delicious and we were lucky enough to eat outside in  the sun!  I highly recommend booking in for yourself or buying a gift voucher for someone.  Thank you Yuri for letting us in to your home and sharing your knowledge.  We had a great time! 

    Jess, May 2024

    Such a good experience.

    Such a good experience.

    Such a good experience.

    Highly recommend this to anyone interested in Japanese cuisine & culture.  We so enjoyed it.  Thank you so much Yuri.

    Heather, July 2024

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Please contact me at kotokotocookery@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

    For a group of 2-4 people, you can choose from Sushi Class, seasonal menu class, party menu class or children's class.  If you'd like the seasonal menu, choose one main for the group.  To book please fill in the contact form with your preferred date.


    You can join one of the open classes, which run every month (except school holidays).   Please check the dates and the Ts & Cs on the downloads.


    Yes, most classes are suitable for vegetarians and vegan.  I use fish in the Sushi class, please let me know if you require the vegetarian or vegan option.  For the seasonal menu class, you can choose one main from Meat, Fish or Vegan for your group.  Some of the open classes are suitable for Vegetarian and Vegan, please check the details on the downloads.


    Yes, the price for all the regular classes includes the ingredients, welcome tea and snack, and the recipe.


    Yes, child under age of 18 can attend a class as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult.   


    We can use GF soy sauce if you require, but I cannot guarantee that it is completely free as I use Gluten products in my kitchen. 

    If you have any food allergies, please make an enquiry before booking to discuss.

     


    If is it for two people plus, it is valid for one year from your chosen date.  The recipients then can book their chose class.  They can also choose to join one of the open classes if appropriate.


    Yes, you can.  The voucher is valid for two years from your chosen date.  There are open classes for individuals or a couple to join every month (except school holidays).  The recipient can also have the option of bringing up to three other people who are happy to pay for themselves. 


    A voucher is sent electronically, but if you would like an actual copy it can be posted. Please provide me with the recipients' names and the date from which it is valid.


    Downloads

    KOTOKOTO Terms and Conditions (docx)Download
    Dates for Open Classes January-May2025 (docx)Download

    Contact Form

    Get in Touch!

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    If you have questions, feel free to send me a message.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

    KOTOKOTO Japanese Cookery Classes

    Byron Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 7HE, UK

    kotokotocookery@gmail.com

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