Plant-Based West African Cooking Class

Discover the naturally plant-rich side of West African cooking in Chef Dumebi’s private Stanmore kitchen.



1.5 hours

Class size 1 to 10 (public classes), 1 to 6
  £55
London Activities
•
Food & Drink
•
Cooking Experience Gifts
Build a West African Flavour Base

Build a West African Flavour Base

Learn how onions, peppers, aromatics and seasoning create depth before the main ingredients go into the pot.


Discover Nigerian Soups & Stews

Discover Nigerian Soups & Stews

Explore the naturally plant-rich dishes already found across West African kitchens.


Cook with Egusi

Cook with Egusi

Learn how melon seed becomes a rich vegetable sauce or soup, served with yam, sweet potato or another seasonal accompaniment.


Explore Beans, Plantain & Palm Oil

Explore Beans, Plantain & Palm Oil

Understand some of the ingredients and combinations that make West African plant-based food so satisfying.


Cook by Flavour, Not Just Recipe

Cook by Flavour, Not Just Recipe

Taste, adjust and learn to recognise what a dish needs as you cook.


Gather at Chef Dumebi’s Table

Gather at Chef Dumebi's Table

Sit down together afterwards to eat what you’ve prepared and continue the conversation around food, culture and technique.


Step into Chef Dumebi’s Private Stanmore Kitchen & Table for a hands-on exploration of West African plant-based cooking in London -- bold, generous food built from vegetables, pulses, grains, seeds, herbs and aromatics.
West African cooking has always had a deeply plant-rich side. In this class, Chef Dumebi takes you beyond simply replacing meat or dairy and shows you how flavour is built from the ground up.
You’ll learn how peppers, tomatoes, onions, chilli, ginger, garlic, palm oil, beans, melon seeds and other familiar West African ingredients work together to create dishes with depth, balance and character.
Using Chef Dumebi’s Base → Build → Finish approach, you’ll discover how to develop a strong flavour foundation, taste and adjust as you cook, and understand why a dish works rather than simply following a recipe.
Along the way, Chef Dumebi shares the cultural context and everyday food traditions behind the dishes, drawing from the flavours and cooking experiences that have shaped her work across West Africa and the UK.
Whether you’re vegan, exploring plant-based eating or simply curious about West African food, you’ll leave with techniques you can use confidently in your own kitchen.
At the end of the session, we gather around the table to enjoy what we’ve cooked together.
Sample menu:
Each class features a carefully selected menu, which may change with the season and the focus of the session.
  • Spiced Black-Eyed Bean Cakes
  • Golden bean cakes served with a fresh pepper relish.
  • Smoky Vegetable Jollof Rice & Roasted Plantain
  • Egusi and greens.
  • Palm oil beans and sweet potato.
  • Zobo cooler.
Please note: The menu may vary from class to class, allowing Chef Dumebi to work with seasonal ingredients and introduce different dishes from the West African plant-based kitchen.

Upcoming dates for Plant-Based West African Cooking Class

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 5 Oct 2026, 7:17pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

128 upcoming dates between 11 Oct 2026 and 27 Dec 2027.

  • Sun 11 Oct 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 12 Oct 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 18 Oct 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 19 Oct 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 25 Oct 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 26 Oct 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 1 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 2 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 9 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 15 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 16 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 22 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 23 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 29 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 30 Nov 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 6 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 7 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 13 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 14 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 20 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 21 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 27 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 28 Dec 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 3 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 4 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 10 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 11 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 17 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 18 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 24 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 25 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 31 Jan 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 1 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 7 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 8 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 14 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 15 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 21 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 22 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 28 Feb 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 1 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 7 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 8 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 14 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 15 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 21 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 22 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 28 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 29 Mar 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 4 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 5 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 11 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 12 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 18 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 19 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 25 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 26 Apr 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 2 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 3 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 9 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 10 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 16 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 17 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 23 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 24 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 30 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 31 May 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 6 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 7 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 13 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 14 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 20 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 21 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 27 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 28 Jun 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 4 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 5 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 11 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 12 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 18 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 19 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 25 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 26 Jul 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 1 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 2 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 8 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 9 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 15 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 16 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 22 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 23 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 29 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 30 Aug 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 5 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 6 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 12 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 13 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 19 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 20 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 26 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 27 Sep 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 3 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 4 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 10 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 11 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 17 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 18 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 24 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 25 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 31 Oct 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 1 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 7 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 8 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 14 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 15 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 21 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 22 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 28 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 29 Nov 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 5 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 6 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 12 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 13 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 19 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 20 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Sun 26 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Mon 27 Dec 2027, 4pm-5:30pm
What you'll get
  • Recipe notes.
  • All ingredients.
  • Hands-on tuition with Chef Dumebi.
  • A complete meal to enjoy.
  • Introduction to less familiar West African ingredients.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
No previous cooking experience is required.
What to bring
  • Just bring yourself, an appetite and a willingness to get involved.
  • Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended, and you may wish to bring a container if you would like to take any leftovers home.
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, team building activity, Christmas party, birthday or hen do.

This experience would also be a unique gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.

Location

Stanmore

Exact location is masked for privacy. You'll automatically get the specific address after booking.

Plant-Based West African Cooking Class location
Verified reviews


Our reviewers receive the same incentives regardless of the ratings or comments provided

ClassBento loader icon

Recent reviews of Plant-Based West African Cooking Class

  • 5/5 from Zainab Ali, attended Sep 2026: Samantha was really lovely and taught us a lot about west african cooking - really cool to see her have so much passion for cooking, a pleasure!
  • 5/5 from Luca Francis Lelen, attended Sep 2026: I went with with my mum for this cooking class, the chef was very informative, very welcoming and the food was really tasty, we learned a lot about west african cuisine, and had good conversation
  • 5/5 from Shahnal Shah, attended Jul 2026: The class was amazing! We had lots of fun and the food was great, highly recommend
  • 5/5 from Laura Shields, attended Apr 2026: Chef Dumebi was so welcoming and we learnt so much about West African cuisine! She talked us through the steps and ingredients and we learn how to cook a delicious ground-nut, miso, coconut milk + vegetable dish with deep-fried plantain and rice. 10/10 experience!!
  • 5/5 from Elizabeth Blackburn, attended Apr 2026: My husband and I celebrated our eighth anniversary at this wonderful class. Chef Dumebi was so welcoming and friendly from the moment we stepped in. The class is very relaxed, and it was like being in the kitchen of a very wise Aunty. Chef Dumebi has a very vast knowledge about food from the Africa diaspora. The food was super delicious. We had seconds! And we finished the experience with refreshing homemade Zobo - the cherry on top of an already brilliant day. Thank you Chef Dumebi for making the day so special and memorable!
  • 5/5 from Ruth Morris, attended Feb 2026: Dumebi was a very personable and knowledgable teacher. She made us feel very welcome and taught us to cook the most delicious jollof rice. We will be able to cook it at home now which is what we wanted. Thank you so much for the class and all the connections you made between different cuisines.
  • 5/5 from Imani Tokpanoude, attended Feb 2026: Having a class and chef who specialises in West African and plant-based cooking is such a treat and I am so thankful that it was Chef Dumebi. We made a plant-based jollof rice which was absolutely delicious! Chef Dumebi was so personable and knowledgable, I have genuinely learnt so much that will stay with me and improve my cooking from now on. Thank you so much, I had such a good time!!
Your teacher

Samantha's Bistro London
Samantha's Bistro London

5.0 (12)
female Women-owned

Chef Dumebi is a chef, educator and creator of The Jollof System — her signature Base → Build → Finish approach to understanding flavour, technique and great Jollof.
Drawing on a culinary journey shaped by Lagos, Lomé, Accra and London, she teaches West African food through culture, memory and technique, helping students understand why a dish works rather than simply following a recipe.
Her classes explore Nigerian party-style Jollof, the foundations of West African flavour, regional dishes, plant-based cooking and contemporary approaches to familiar foods.
Expect bold food, practical technique, plenty of conversation and a relaxed, hands-on atmosphere where complete beginners are welcome.
At the heart of Chef Dumebi’s teaching is a simple belief: understand the base, and you begin to understand the dish.
Beyond the classroom, she is a hospitality consultant, writer and culinary entrepreneur whose work explores African food culture, restaurant development and the future of hospitality.
Chef Dumebi | Creator of The Jollof System | Where Culture Meets Cuisine
London Activities
•
Food & Drink
•
Cooking Experience Gifts

Gift this artisan class

With our gift card, they can book this class at a time that suits them.

They can also choose from our 17,000+ other classes.

redeem Gifting options

Book on ClassBento and enjoy exclusive perks:


  • Earn loyalty points
  • Money-back guarantee* for peace of mind
  • Local support from our UK-based team, rated 5 stars by customers
  • Public liability insurance included for your protection
  • ClassBento donates 50p to Mental Health UK with every paid booking
class 0 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 1 production london London London GB london