Chef Asim Merali, the chef behind Goldies in Soho

Chef Asim Merali, the chef behind Goldies in Soho, is one of London’s most exciting fire cooks, and this masterclass is your chance to experience a real taste of the London food scene. His food is bold, modern and driven by flavour, shaped by Japanese technique, contemporary British cooking and deep experience with wood and charcoal.

This is a full hands-on day of cooking over live fire on the Charlie Oven, learning the kind of modern fire cooking techniques used in some of London’s best kitchens. You will light the fires, prep the food and cook an extraordinary menu from start to finish, picking up smart tips that make a real difference and learning how to move food around the fire with confidence.

This class takes you beyond traditional BBQ and into the exciting world of modern fire cooking. It is fast, fun and full of flavour. The group is kept small so everyone cooks properly, and by the end of the day, you will sit down together to enjoy the feast you have created with beer and wine served alongside the food.

What you will cook

You will cook a full menu over live fire, working together from prep through to serving.

• LA Galbi short ribs with charred scallion salsa and yuzu kosho butter
• Charcoal roasted leeks with black garlic celeriac puree and pickled wild garlic
• Slow roasted picanha with sorrel salsa verde and pili pili mbuzi
• Nuoc cham chicken wings filled with umeboshi and sticky rice
• Wood fired beetroot with whipped goats cheese and jalapeño hot honey
• Caramelised pineapple with coconut cream and candied ginger

What you will learn

You will learn how to cook confidently over charcoal using both direct and indirect heat. Asim will show you how to set up and manage heat zones, control flare ups, judge doneness by feel and timing, and build bold flavour without masking the main ingredient. You will learn how to prepare meat and vegetables for fire cooking and how to move dishes around the oven so everything lands at the right moment.

How the day runs

The day has a clear rhythm but never feels rushed. You arrive, light the fires and start cooking early. Dishes are prepared and cooked throughout the day with pauses to taste, adjust and learn as you go. Beer and wine are served alongside tea, coffee and soft drinks. The day finishes with everyone sitting down together to enjoy the food they have cooked.

What is included

• All ingredients, cooking, tasting and lunch
• Beer and wine served during the day
• Tea, coffee and soft drinks
• Recipe booklet from the day
• Branded Charlie apron

Event details

• Location: Richmond, TW9
• Date: Saturday 21st March
• Time: 11am to 4.30pm

Who it is for

This class is for people who care about flavour and want to cook better over fire. It suits confident home cooks, curious beginners and anyone drawn to bold food, real heat and learning by doing.

By the end of the day, fire will feel familiar rather than intimidating, and you will leave with the confidence to cook food like this again, long after the coals have cooled.