Marco Pierre White photographed by Alun Callender for P&OC commissioned by Sunday

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A Masterclass with Marco in The Cookery Club

Fancy cooking alongside one of Britain’s most iconic chefs? At The Cookery Club on Britannia, you can do just that. Here’s how to whip up memories with Marco Pierre White

15 min 29 Aug 2025

Editorial Team

Author

Learning from the best

Stepping into The Cookery Club, Britannia’s state-of-the-art cooking school, it looks like a cross between a professional kitchen, a TV cooking competition set and a luxury seaside hotel. Stainless steel worktops glisten, as do the waves outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Twenty-four enthusiastic participants, all dressed in Cookery Club aprons and chef’s hats, are here to learn from the Godfather of British Cooking, the one and only Marco Pierre White, who’s taken his mantle at the front of the class, joined by the head of The Cookery Club.

Today, risotto is on the menu. Marco starts by asking who’s good at making the notoriously finicky rice dish, and a hush falls on the room. But any nerves are quickly quelled – if anyone can teach us to tame the mighty risotto, it’s Marco, who has perfected his recipe over decades behind the stove.

All the prep has been done by The Cookery Club’s sous chefs – the perfect amount of rice measured, oil poured, salt pinched. However, Marco has kept one job for the class. He states that never chops onions for risotto – he grates them instead. Seconds later, the chefs are pressing onion to grater, and the room fills with their unmistakably savoury, pungent scent.

“Are you crying, sir?” Marco jokes with a guest. “I’ve never had a class with so many people crying.”

Next, the onions go in the pot with the olive oil. Now it smells incredible – if we weren’t hungry before we started, we are now. As ingredients are added and techniques perfected, the Cookery Club head chef visits each station to ensure the stoves are at the right heat, that everyone has enough stock and the rice isn’t sticking.

Marco checks in too, asking how everyone is doing. Every once in a while, he calls the group up to his workstation to show them the detail of what he’s doing, like stirring in parmesan, and to taste his risotto when it’s finished (which of course, earns blissful nods of satisfaction).

Despite the onion-induced tears, the atmosphere is jovial. “I’m glad to see you’re all taking it so seriously!” Marco jokes as the chefs laugh and compare their finished dishes.

Risottos complete, it’s time to eat. Everyone takes a seat at the communal table, hats and aprons still on; the wine is poured, and Marco stops in for a chat. It’s a well-earned meal. But it’s not yet time to linger: the next course is panna cotta, and that cream won’t pour itself…

What is The Cookery Club?

The Cookery Club is our cooking school at sea, where you can get hands-on in a state-of-the-art kitchen with guidance from our talented team of friendly, professional chefs. When Marco Pierre White is sailing (view cruises here) he leads the classes, bringing his trademark wit and culinary style to the table. When he isn’t, you’re in the very capable hands of The Cookery Club head chef.

Whether you’re a whizz in the kitchen or a complete beginner, there’s a whole menu of classes to tempt you. We hold classes for up to 24 guests and everyone works in pairs, so feel free to come on your own as you’ll always find a partner. The best bit? There’s no prep or washing up to do – it’s all done for you.

How is Marco Pierre White involved with The Cookery Club?

As patron of The Cookery Club and one of our Food Heroes, Marco holds hosted masterclasses and hosted dinners when he’s on board. Even when he’s not sailing with us, you can still learn to cook and present Marco’s dishes, with Inspired by Marco Classes and Inspired by Marco Dinners. These are hosted by The Cookery Club team and give you the inside track on his recipes and techniques.

In Marco’s Hosted Masterclass, Marco will be your guide as you learn to cook restaurant-quality food. What better way to master Marco’s techniques than by trying them out first-hand, overseen by the man himself? Dishes cooked and served, it’s time to tuck in and enjoy them together. It’s a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The only thing better than having your dinner cooked by Marco Pierre White is savouring that dinner alongside Marco. If you book Marco’s Hosted Dinner, the godfather of British cooking will prepare three courses as you gather round to watch as he works. Once you’re seated, you’ll enjoy delicious dishes, lively conversation and a selection of wines chosen to complement each course.

When Marco isn’t sailing, Masterclasses and Hosted Dinners are hosted by the incredibly skilled Cookery Club chefs and are available year-round. The team also leads Inspired by Marco classes and dinners that have been created by Marco to share his culinary approach.

What kind of dishes will I be cooking/eating?

In Marco’s masterclasses, he’ll take you through one of his signature dishes – risotto, a dish feared by many chefs but made simple under Marco’s expert tutelage. You’ll tackle either a risotto of porcini with a fricassée of woodland mushrooms or of seafood with fresh rosemary, basil and cherry tomatoes.

When The Cookery club team is at the helm, our classes are inspired by the destinations we visit, from Portugal to the Caribbean. Travelling with kids? There are family classes where you learn to whip up dinner and dessert together.

The menu at Marco’s hosted dinners varies and might feature dishes such as grilled lobster tail with escargot butter; burrata with truffles; roast fillet of beef with chimichurri; or a dessert called 1837 vanilla pannacotta with Champagne poached strawberries. The Hosted Dinners curated by The Cookery Club team could be anything from tapas, churros and sangria to Indian favourites from Sindhu.

P&O Cruises Britannia May 2015. The Cookery Club. Photo by Steve Dunlop.

Where can I find The Cookery Club?

The Cookery Club is exclusive to our flagship Britannia. You’ll find it at the aft of Deck 17. Walls of windows and a prime ship position mean you can enjoy a side of sea views as you chop, prep, cook and dine.

How can I book?

You can book using My Holiday, our online planner, once you’re on board. We recommend booking early as places are limited.

Unless booking a family class, all participants must be aged 18 or over. However, keen cooks aged 16 and 17 years may attend any class, as long as they come along with an adult. There will be two cooks to each station, so guests will cook along with a partner. If guests are booking a session just for them, they will be paired up with another cook on the day. Guests must advise us of any dietary requirements once on board via the booking line.