Do you know the difference between a Chiffon and a Soufflé? A Bearnaise and a Roux? Don’t worry, not everyone can cook, some people can’t even boil water. Or probably can, but wouldn’t know what to do with it, once it was boiling. There is hope for us. Below I’ve listed out some local cooking class options around the city that I found while doing a little research for myself. And of course, if you hate people and want to stay at home, there is always Rouxbe.
Eatzla: They offer an eclectic selection of instructional classes. From how to throw a good cocktail party, creating decadent desserts, cooking with a wok, preparing a Mexican fiesta, to making your own pasta. Classes are $60 each and take place in West Hollywood.
Hip Cooks: With a location in West LA and near downtown, Hip Cooks focuses on healthy and organic (when possible) and bans the use of measurements. Classes are fun, small and finish off with a dinner party to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Classes are $55.
The Epicurean School of Culinary Arts: The school offers both a full program and beginner cooking classes for those home cooks looking to fine tune their skills. Begin with the fundamentals of cooking, a 5 weeks series. Then focus on some of their workshops like Fundamentals of Italian Cooking, Moroccan Feast, Desserts To Die For, and a lot more. Classes start at $85.
New School of Cooking: They have a great selection of recreation classes if you are looking for a relaxed learning environment, but also offer more advanced 4 week and full professional cooking class series. This school probably has the most extensive list of cooking classes that I’ve found. Classes start at $85.
California School of Culinary Arts: Le Cordon Bleu, the creme de la creme of cooking schools, not only offers a full cooking program but offer a line of “hobbiest” classes for the home chef. On Aug 9th learn how to make the perfect pate sucree and vanilla scented pastry cream at Tarts Tarts Tarts!. On Aug 23rd take a trip to the Farmer’s Market, learn how to pick the freshest ingredients then head back to campus for a morning of cooking. Then in the Summer class finale on Sept 13, learn how to make moist and delicious Sugar Free Cakes. Classes are $145 each. Call the Campus Cookstore (626) 683-1354 for more info. They don’t have a listing online but can email you a list of their current classes.
Sur la Table: Of course, the most casual of them all is probably the courses offered at Sur la Table. With classes for the kids, teens and adults like Easy Entertaining Appetizers, Korean Kitchen,
Essential Knife Skills, and Vegetarian Thai Dinner Party. Classes start at $69.
If you’re ready to take the full leap, there are always full programs at culinary schools around town you could check out. Places like the Art Institutes, California School of Culinary Arts, Kitchen Academy, and Bakersfield College of Culinary Arts.
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