Workshops Schedule and Booking | Aniar

Workshops Schedule and Booking

2027 Cookery School Schedule 

Explore our upcoming workshops and reserve your place

Each workshop at the Aniar Cookery School is a full-day, hands-on experience led by chef Jp McMahon, running from 10am to after 5pm. Classes include morning and afternoon cooking sessions, shared meals, a glass of wine, and an Aniar apron to take home.

Group sizes are kept intentionally small to ensure personal guidance and a relaxed, engaging experience.

To Book Please email: food@aniarrestaurant.ie


Sunday January 31st How to be a Better Baker 

Sunday February 14th Spanish Tapas: Flavours of Galicia

Sunday February 21st Comfort Food: Soups, Stews, Tarts & Pies

Sunday March 21st Recipes from The Irish Cookbook

Sunday April 4th Four seasons of Pasta

Sunday April 18th An Introduction to Japanese Cooking

Sunday May 2nd An Introduction to Latin American Cooking

Sunday May 16th Scandinavian Baking at Home

Sunday June 13th An Introduction to Greek Cooking 

Sunday June 27th ‘Eight Great Chinese Cuisines’: Chinese cooking with Irish ingredients 

Sunday July 4th Recipes from the USA 

Sunday July 18th Vegetarian and Vegan Middle Eastern Cooking 

Sunday August 1st Barbecue and Beyond: cooking over fire. 

 Sunday August 15th Wild Irish Food: Preserving, Fermenting & Foraging 

Sunday September 5th An Introduction to the Food of Cuba

Sunday September 19th An Introduction to Mexican Cooking 

Sunday October 3rd How to Cook the Perfect Steak & other Beef Dishes 

Sunday October 10th Spanish Tapas: Basque Cooking 

Sunday November 7th An Introduction to Indian Cooking

Sunday November 21st An Introduction French Patisserie

Sunday December 5th Christmas Cooking at Home


Nose to Tail (Recipes from St.John’s of London) 

Sunday, December 13th 2026 [5 PLACES]

10am - 5pm €325 

Inspired by the groundbreaking cooking of Fergus Henderson of St. John in London, this class at Aniar with JP McMahon explores the philosophy and practice of nose-to-tail eating. Learn how to cook respectfully and creatively with the whole animal, from slow-braised cuts and bone-based stocks to offal dishes and fish that are rich in flavour and tradition. Expect recipes influenced by St. John classics, from rabbit and pheasant dishes to terrines and pies; simple and honest food that celebrates texture, fat, and restraint rather than embellishment. Alongside technique, the class examines sustainability, thrift, and craft, offering a deeper understanding of meat cookery rooted in both tradition and modern ethics.

How to be a Better Baker

Sunday, January 31st 2027 

10am-5pm €325 

Revisit the heart of Irish home cooking through its timeless bakes. In this hands-on class at Aniar, JP McMahon explores the breads, cakes, and pastries that shaped Irish kitchens for generations. Learn to make soda bread, brown bread, apple tart, treacle tart, yeast bread, and cheese scones, all rooted in the rhythm of traditional Irish baking. Alongside practical technique, you’ll explore the cultural history of these recipes and the ingredients that define them: buttermilk, oats, and local flour. A comforting and nostalgic journey through Ireland’s flour-dusted heritage, where simplicity meets soul.

An Introduction to Latin American Cooking

Sunday, May 2nd 2027

10am - 5pm €325

Latin American cooking is a diverse and flavourful cuisine that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region. Latin America covers a large area that includes South and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, and each subregion has its own culinary traditions and specialities. This course will introduce students to some of the main dishes of this vast region from tamales to salsas and epanadas and ceviche.


An Introduction to Japanese Cooking

Sunday, April 18th 2027  

10am-5pm €325 

This course introduces the student to some of the most popular Japanese techniques of cooking. From the well-known methods, such as Teriyaki, Yakitori, Ramen and Tempura to lesser-known techniques such as Karaage, Teppanyaki and Nabemono, this course gives an insight into the culinary complexity of Japan. As well as learning about these techniques the course will also show how students to use Japanese condiments, such as soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, umeboshi and miso, to elevate everyday dishes of fish, vegetables and meat.


An Introduction to Greek Cooking

Sunday, June 13th 2027

10am - 5pm €325

Greek cooking is a wonderful way to enjoy the flavours and ingredients of this ancient Mediterranean region. Greek cuisine is based on simple age old cooking methods, such as frying, baking, grilling, stewing and roasting. It uses fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cheese, yogurt and honey to enhance the taste of its traditional dishes. As a crossroads to the Middle East and Asia incorporates some of these cuisine into its national larder. Some of the Greek foods that students will cover in the class are moussaka, spanakopita, tzatziki, and baklava.


Recipes from The Irish Cookbook 

Sunday, March 21st 2027

10am - 5pm €325 

Explore the evolving landscape of modern Irish cuisine through recipes inspired by JP McMahon’s The Irish Cookbook. This class at Aniar celebrates Ireland’s ingredients, from beef to oysters, shellfish to seaweed, root vegetables, wild herbs, and grains, while bringing them into a contemporary, creative context. Learn techniques that bridge tradition and innovation: curing fish, fermenting vegetables, slow-cooking meats, and preparing seasonal desserts with a light, modern, vegetal touch. Each dish reflects Ireland’s past while imagining its culinary future. Ideal for home cooks who want to understand Irish food as living, dynamic, and full of possibility.


Tapas at Home

Sunday, June 7th 2026

10am - 5pm €325

Bring the warmth and vibrancy of Spanish tapas into your own kitchen with this fun, hands-on class at Aniar. Guided by JP McMahon, you’ll learn how to create a series of simple, flavour-packed small plates perfect for sharing. From blistered patatas bravas and to gambas al ajillo, tortilla, and chorizo in cider, the focus is on bold flavours, good ingredients, and relaxed cooking. You’ll also explore classic Spanish techniques, sautéing, confiting, and quick fish pickling, that make tapas so distinctive. A joyful, communal style of cooking that transforms any meal into a celebration.


Gastropub Classics

Sunday, June 21st 2026 [2 PLACES]

10am - 5pm €325

Pub food is often overlooked and rarely gets the attention it deserves. In this course, we will look at some of the classics that make up what we now call 'Gastropub' food. These include Steak, Fish and Chips, Ham hock Terrines, Potted Crab, and of course, the hand made burger. As always, emphasis will be placed on food provenance and sourcing from local suppliers. Students will also learn new cooking and culinary techniques. 


Vegetarian and Vegan Middle Eastern Cooking

Sunday, July 18th 2027 

10am - 5pm €325

Step into the aromatic, colourful world of Middle Eastern cuisine in this introductory class at Aniar with JP McMahon. Drawing from the culinary traditions of Lebanon, Turkey, Palestine, Iran, and beyond, you’ll learn to prepare dishes built on herbs, grains, spices, and generous hospitality. Expect classics such as hummus, fattoush, freekeh (roasted green wheat), and mujadara (lentils and rice with caramelized onions) smoky baba ganoush, spiced rice dishes, and slow-cooked vegetables enriched with tahini, and pomegranate. Explore essential ingredients, sumac, za’atar, saffron, mint, and preserved lemon, and discover how they create the region’s vibrant balance of acidity, sweetness, and warmth. A soulful, generous cuisine that celebrates sharing and seasonality.

Wild Irish Food: Preserving,Fermenting & Foraging

Sunday, August 15th 2027 

10am - 5pm €325

Explore the landscape of the west of Ireland through its wild ingredients in this immersive class at Aniar with JP McMahon. Rooted in the traditions of coastal communities and country kitchens, this session introduces you to the flavours that define Ireland’s natural larder, seaweeds, wild herbs, hedgerow berries, and sea plants. Learn the fundamentals of foraging ethically and safely, then discover how to preserve the seasons through fermenting, pickling, drying, and simple curing techniques. From wild garlic pickles to vegetable ferments to seaweed broths and berry preserves, this class reconnects you with Ireland’s deep culinary heritage and offers practical, modern ways to bring the wild back into your kitchen.



An Introduction to Mexican Cooking

Sunday, September 19th 2027

10am - 5pm €325

Journey into the bold, colourful world of Mexican cuisine in this introductory class at Aniar with JP McMahon. Explore the foundational techniques and ingredients that shape regional Mexican cooking, from chilli peppers and corn taco to lime, to beans empanadas and aromatic herbs. Learn how to make fresh tortillas, classic salsas, slow-cooked carnitas of pork, spicy lamb with courgettes with pistachio green mole, and vibrant dishes such as sea bass ceviche and Tuna tiradito. You’ll discover the balance of heat, acidity, sweetness, and earthiness that defines Mexican flavour. A lively, hands-on class perfect for anyone wanting to bring authentic Mexican cooking into their home with confidence and joy. You’ll never forget the Chicken and chocolate mole with rice!

How to Cook the Perfect Steak (& other Beef Dishes) 

Sunday, October 3rd 2027

10am - 5pm €325

Master the art of cooking beef in this practical, technique-led class at Aniar with JP McMahon. Learn how to choose the right cut, understand ageing and marbling, and cook the perfect steak with confidence, from pan-searing to resting and carving. Beyond steak, explore other classic and lesser-known beef dishes, including slow-cooked beef cheeks, braised ribs, beef pies, and simple sauces that enhance rather than overpower the meat. With a focus on Irish beef, seasoning, temperature, and timing, this class gives you the skills to cook beef respectfully and consistently, whether for a special occasion or everyday cooking.


Spanish Tapas: Basque Cooking

Sunday, October 10th 2027

10am - 5pm €325

Discover the bold, earthy, and inventive flavours of Basque Country cuisine in this lively small-plate class with JP McMahon. Drawing inspiration from San Sebastián’s pintxos bars and Bilbao’s culinary traditions, you’ll learn how to craft authentic Basque-style tapas — from bacalao with piquillo peppers to txistorra sausage, anchovy toasts, and simple seasonal vegetable dishes. The focus is on balance, texture, and the art of serving flavourful bites that bring people together. Expect a celebration of olive oil, smoked paprika, and the sea, all served with the convivial spirit of the Basque table.


Christmas Cooking at Home

Sunday, December 5th 2027

10am - 5pm €325 

This day course will cover all aspects of Irish Christmas cooking, from the traditional to the innovative. Join Jp and get all the pro tips and tricks to impress your family at Christmas, the class will feature traditional turkey & ham with all the trimmings and beef wellington as well recipes that are great for preparing ahead of time like cheese scones and sausage rolls. Jp will share the recipe for his death row dessert whiskey tiramisu and Cava Bodega's famous chocolate mousse! Take the stress out of Christmas cooking and learn to make it an enjoyable experience. 


What’s Included

● Full-day hands-on workshop

● All ingredients, equipment & recipes

● Morning & afternoon cooking sessions

● Shared lunch and dinner tastings

● Glass of wine or other beverage with each meal

●Aniar apron to take home

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How to Book

To reserve a place or for any questions click the link above or email: food@aniarrestaurant.ie

Bookings are confirmed once deposit payment of €95 is received, full payment due the week before the class is scheduled. 

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Private Group Classes

Private cookery workshops for 6 people are available on Sundays and Mondays, subject to availability.

Please email abigail@eatgalway.ie for enquiries.

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Contact
53 Lower Dominick Street
Galway
H91 V4DP
Ireland
Hours
Tues – Thurs: 17:00‑21.00
Fri & Sat: 16:30‑21.00
Sun & Mon: Closed