CORD by Le Cordon Bleu to host interactive sherry and culinary masterclass in London

Next Thursday, CORD by Le Cordon Bleu will host a culinary and sherry-pairing masterclass at its Fleet Street location in London. The event will be led by executive chef Karl O’Dell and head sommelier Jiachen Lu, who will offer attendees an interactive cooking session followed by a guided tasting and dinner.

The masterclass will begin at 6.30pm in the teaching kitchen at CORD, where guests will participate in the preparation of a starter dish under the instruction of O’Dell. Following the hands-on session, they will move to the main restaurant for a four-course dinner, with the remaining three courses prepared by the expert kitchen team. Throughout the evening, Lu will present a curated tasting of five different sherries, providing commentary on each variety’s characteristics and how they complement the dishes being served. The selection and its presentation will examine the nuances of pairing fortified wines from Spain with contemporary cuisine.

Both O’Dell and Lu have been recognised individually for their expertise in food and sherry pairing, having won the prestigious Copa Jerez International Final competition in different years prior to joining the team at CORD. Their collaboration brings together their experience in a format designed to engage both amateur cooks and enthusiasts of fine wine.

The evening is priced at £95 per person (excluding the service charge), to include the cookery session, four-course meal and the guided tasting of five sherries. It is open to members of the public and requires advance booking.

Food Desk

Karl O’Dell and Jiachen Lu’s masterclass takes place on 20^th November 2025 at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, 85 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AE. For further information or to book tickets, visit here.