Smashing Records and Stirring Sauces: Jamie Oliver's Record Breaking Cooking Lesson

Team Food recently took part in an extraordinary event: an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest cooking lesson ever held. The previous record, set in Poland in 2015 by the Partnership for Health, involved 6,778 participants across 89 schools. This time, the goal was to go much bigger. 

The cooking lesson focused on making homemade pasta paired with a simple, delicious tomato sauce; a recipe that’s accessible, fun, and perfect for all skill levels.

Our students' response was incredible. Over 80 students applied to take part, and 21 were selected to join the record-breaking attempt. The group included a fantastic mix of year groups, and students eagerly stepped out of their comfort zones, partnering with peers from different years. It created an atmosphere of collaboration, learning, and connection.

And we didn’t just break the record - we absolutely smashed it. More than 700 schools participated, setting a new global benchmark with an estimated 15,000 participants. To make the day even more memorable, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver joined the lesson live, chatting with students and sharing his passion for pasta. When we asked Jamie what his favourite pasta was, he dove into an impromptu segment celebrating all things pasta, a real highlight for everyone involved.

The event was a record-breaking moment, a chance to learn new skills, and, best of all, provided a delicious meal to share at the end. We’re grateful to Jamie Oliver and the event organisers for giving us the opportunity to be part of such a special day. 

If you'd like to recreate the pasta dish we made, here is the recipe!