Masterclass: Plant Based Italian Summer Brunch

Discover plant-based Italian cooking: fresh pasta, seasonal brunch dishes & regional recipes made with love.

Celebrate the joy of Italian summer cooking with a vibrant, 100% plant-based brunch experience. This hands-on class is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients, traditional recipes, and the simple pleasure of making beautiful food from scratch—just like in an Italian home.

Whether you’re vegan, plant-curious, or simply love great food, this class will show you how naturally delicious Italian cuisine can be without any animal products.

🍽️ Brunch Menu Highlights

Panzanella (Tuscan Bread Salad):
A rustic classic that proves less is more. Learn how to bring together juicy tomatoes, day-old bread, onions, basil, and olive oil into a refreshing, flavor-packed summer salad.

Fresh Handmade Pasta:
Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make fresh short pasta from scratch!

Seasonal Plant-based Pestos:

Pair your freshly made pasta with two vibrant pestos: a rich sundried tomato & walnut blend and a peppery rocket & pine nut blend, both bursting with summer flavors.

Aubergine and Courgette Parmigiana:
A comforting Italian favorite reimagined the plant-based way. Layers of tender vegetables, tomato sauce, and delicious dairy-free elements come together in a dish that’s both hearty and fresh.

Chocolate Mousse:
Indulge in a silky, airy chocolate mousse made entirely from plant-based ingredients—light, satisfying, and the perfect sweet finish to your brunch.

Extras:

Complimentary drinks and antipasti

Allergy Info: Contains walnuts, pine nuts, and gluten (gluten-free alternative available, but not suitable for people with coeliac disease due to shared preparation).

👩‍🍳 What to Expect

• A fully plant-based cooking experience celebrating authentic Italian flavors
• Step-by-step guidance as you make your own fresh pasta by hand
• A fun, relaxed, and social atmosphere
• Time to enjoy your dishes together with fellow food lovers

This is more than a cooking class—it’s a celebration of summer, simplicity, and how incredible plant-based Italian food can be.

Buon Appetito! 🌞🍝✨

‏‏

About Mauro Strumendo

Mauro, a passionate Italian with over a decade of residency in London, has immersed himself in a global exploration of diverse cuisines. His journey began in 2012, working in various London restaurants, where he not only honed his skills in Italian cuisine but also delved into the intricacies of French and British culinary traditions.

In 2016, Mauro’s horizons expanded further during a trip to Indonesia, where he discovered exotic ingredients like tempeh and galangal. This experience ignited his curiosity for international flavors.

A pivotal moment came in 2018 when Mauro had the privilege of apprenticing under renowned vegetarian chef Malu’ Simoes da Cunha at Montali Country House near Perugia, Italy. Malu’s fusion of Italian, Brazilian, and Asian influences exposed Mauro to a world of plant-based culinary delights, from handmade sushi to freshly crafted seitan and tofu.

Eager to delve deeper into vegetarian cuisine, Mauro embarked on a transformative journey to India, where he spent a month in Mysore under the mentorship of Sandhya. Immersed in the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture, Mauro learned traditional cooking techniques, from preparing paneer to mastering the art of chapati and dosa. He also delved into Ayurvedic principles, understanding how food can nourish and heal the body according to one’s dosha.

In 2019, Mauro ventured to South Africa, where he embraced a vegan cook role at the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary. Here, amidst the compassionate care of rescued monkeys, Mauro shared his culinary expertise, bringing comfort and nourishment to staff and volunteers alike.

Since returning from South Africa, Mauro has shared his culinary talents at yoga retreats and cooking classes in London. Currently pursuing a degree in Food and Consumer Science at Abertay University, Mauro is dedicated to expanding his knowledge and expertise in the culinary arts.

Note: This is a fundraising class and the proceeds help us fight hunger and deliver free events in our community. At Made In Hackney we believe access to good food is a human right, not a privilege. Every ticket you buy helps us provide essential support to individuals and families facing food insecurity. If you would like to learn more about our work and impact, please click here.

Refunds/transfers: Please understand our charity needs time to resell your tickets as we rely heavily on the income generated by our fundraising classes. We require a minimum of 14 days’ notice for any cancellations or transfers once you have booked onto a class. You are also welcome to give your ticket to a friend or family member in case of last minute illness (just email classes@madeinhackney.org to let us know).

Vouchers: If you need assistance to redeem a voucher purchased on our website, please contact us via email: classes@madeinhackney.org.

We’ve Published Our Debut Cookbook — We Cook Plants! Based on 12 years of experience as a pioneering vegan community cookery school, it offers practical, inclusive, and delicious plant-based recipes with creative solutions to real-life challenges like cost, access, and time. 👉 Buy Our Debut Cookbook – We Cook Plants and support our mission to make healthy, sustainable food accessible to all.

For information: classes@madeinhackney.org / 020 8442 4266 / WhatsApp message +44 07833685894