This formal culinary school has “enthusiast” classes every Saturday. It is like a culinary world tour, they teach everything from Brazilian Street Food to Dim Sum or Korean BBQ. If you want a deeper experience such as A Taste of Northern Italy, there are 2-day or 3-day workshops.
This culinary school with locations in Austin TX and Boulder, Colorado locations is committed to using Community Supported Agriculture. Home Cook Class workshop offerings include: Knife Skills, Seasonal Vegetables or Sushi Madness. There are also Basic Cooking Technique classes.
The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts This school’s curriculum features a plant-based cooking program that includes macrobiotics, raw foods, classical vegetarian cuisine, and Ayurvedic cooking. In addition to the professional program there are public classes. The public classes include: Intro to Macrobiotic Cooking, Intro to Ayurvedic Cooking, Understanding Raw & Living Foods. They also provide a listing vegetarian and vegan restaurants located near the school.
Spending a cold Saturday baking bread at Zimmerman's Baking school was the ideal way to warm up and learn some valuable baking tips. During the Italian Mambo class we made 7 loaves of bread and had a poolish to take home for my next bread baking adventure.
My favorite breads were the foccacia and the Rustic white but they were all good. The class was fun but also I learned some key factors that will improve my bread making techniques for years to come.
The first thing I decided is that I needed to update several kitchen tools to improve my bread making. I'm adding a kitchen scale and a baking stone. Of course long term I would love to have a wood burning stove, but I learned that excellent bread can be made in a home type oven. Finding good ingredients locally will be a challenge. The class listed several sources in Ann Arbor and also there are several good sources online.
Austin’s foodie scene is vibrant. Every year in April, Austin’s Food and Wine Festival provides cooking demonstrations and plenty of samples. This festival draws big name Food Network Chefs and some Austin local favorites such as Paul Qui and Jack Gilmore or Dallas based Tim Love.
Austin has outstanding foodie resources. There are farm stands for fresh produce and several grocery stores have professional kitchens for cooking classes. These cooking schools provide a variety of hands–on and demonstration cooking classes that anyone would enjoy.
Whole Foods Culinary Center Whole Foods Lamar Culinary Center has an active cooking class schedule. Cooking classes are available on everything from basic cooking skills to a culinary adventure. Most classes require several hours to complete however Whole Foods Culinary Center also offer one hour “Lunch Express” courses. Private classes are also available. I also enjoy spending time at this flagship Whole Foods Store.
Central Market Cooking School HEB’s Central Market has two cooking schools in Austin (Westgate and North Lamar). These hands on classes highlight Texas specialties or help you expand your foodie knowledge beyond Texas. The Grilling Spanish Style would provide insights into great tapas or the Alaskan Brewery Seafood & Spice Dinner might help you cool off.
Several Austin kitchen equipment stores also have cooking classes or cooking demonstrations:
Faraday’s Kitchen Store This Austin based company has an amazing kitchen store and provides demonstration cooking classes with samples and a light meal. Class size is limited to 10-15 students. There are a wide variety of culinary classes.
Williams Sonoma Williams Sonoma as two Austin stores. The Barton Creek Stores holds their cooking classes most Sundays at 2:00pm and The Arboretum Store holds their classes most Saturdays at 2:00pm. Sign up several days in advance to ensure your spot and plenty of food for tasting. The classes are generally free demonstrations; recipes and samples are provided. Cooking class participants receive 10% discount on other purchases the day of the class.
My next post feature additional Austin cooking schools.
Several people have asked for an update on my Ann Arbor MI cooking class overview, so I am happy to comply.
Ann Arbor's diverse population is reflected in the wide variety of cooking classes and cooking schools locally available.
The most famous classes are at BAKE! With Zing These fun and filling classes are held at Zingerman’s BAKE! House in Ann Arbor. Whether you choose to indulge in a weeklong adventure, a weekend intensive or a half day fling, you will learn heaps and enjoy lots of treats. The classes I’ve taken have drawn participants from several states. Most BAKE! classes are very hands-on training appropriate for the home baker. There are also family friendly classes.
A couple of my favorite classes are: The Wood Fired Pizza class, Legally Magic Brownies and French Macarons. My spring class wish list is to attend Aussie Afternoon Tea with Kirsty Carre because a good lamington is worth a lot in my opinion. Of course their two gluten free baking class options are also tempting because so many friends are wanting gluten free treats and it is challenging to find great recipes.
Zingerman’s BAKE teachers are knowledgeable and friendly. If you are ready to start kneading dough these classes are for you. Classes do fill quickly so be sure to reserve your spot.
Another opportunity for developing hands on cooking skills is at Ann Arbor Cooks. Small class size are designed for learning techniques with lots of opportunities for instructor interaction. Under Chef Natalie Marble Ann Arbor Cooks classes have become favorites for new cooks and more experienced cooks looking to refine their techniques. Several classes such as Friday Date Nights or Summer Grilled salads seem like a great summer break. If you are looking for kids cooking programs check the schedule for Kids camps.
Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars provide small hands-on classes about using vinegar and oil to make dressings or novel beverages.
Community Education & Recreation provide a diverse assortment of cooking classes featuring local food experts. The topics include:
Italian Cooking Classes by Francesca Giarraffa, owner, La Rustica catering company. Honestly, some of her class recipes are my favorite go to recipes.
Chef Tom Lin shares his vast knowledge of the Asian culture and tells stories that tie into his dishes.
Learn about the French dinner experience from Brigitte Romero, a local chef originally from Paris.
Indian Cuisine Cooking Classes by Jyothi Mathews Abraham
Cake Decorating Classes by Jyothi Mathews Abraham
If you want cooking lessons from an authentic French Chef thenCecilia’s Pastrieshas the class for you. I think it would be amazing to attend her hands-on Parisian Macaron Class or enjoy one of the French cooking classes.
Personally, I enjoy classes at The Lifelong Learning portion of the school. The goal of these culinary classes is to increase your joy of cooking. The classes are generally observation with occasional volunteers helping the teacher. There are Italian cooking classes and vegan cooking classes on the roster for summer.
Italian Cooking Classes by Chef Isabella are available at the restaurant or at various locations throughout the country. Also there are culinary tours to Italy scheduled several times a year.
This is a series of cooking classes in Ann Arbor and other venues across the US that is part of The Cancer Project’s Food for Life Nutrition Education Program. The course is based on The Cancer Survivor’s Guide: Foods that help you fight back! Specific cooking strategies and diets for cancer prevention or cancer survival are discussed and recipes are shared.
Sur la Table has a full schedule of cooking classes available at Arbor Hills Mall.
Willams Sonoma usually offers free cooking demostrations on Sundays at Briarwood Mall. Participants qualify for 10% off on class day.
