If you’re looking to get a little more creative in the kitchen, Arizona has a plethora of opportunities to help bolster your culinary skills. Across the state, you’ll find schools and restaurants offering single-day or multiple-week cooking classes to transform you into a master chef! Here are the 10 best cooking classes in the state.
Do you want to be the next Gordon Ramsey? Do you want to learn how to chop an onion? Classic Cooking has you covered no matter your goals. This cooking school has been helping novice to expert cooks in the Valley since 2007. Their classes are designed to balance both basic and gourmet cooking skills. You can learn the art of making fine food at their gourmet series, which runs from 6:30-9 p.m. on Fridays. More serious chefs can take their popular practical series, which is a 24-week course covering all the basics you need to know about life in the kitchen.
Foodies of all kinds appreciate The Tasteful Kitchen. They offer a range of healthy vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free menu items at their restaurant. So it comes as no surprise that their cooking classes feature creative themed menus. You can find classes dedicated to things like Vegan brunch, raw cuisine, and spaghetti squash burrito bowls. The classes are filled with helpful tips on creating healthy food. Classes run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on select days.
There’s no shortage of cooking classes as Sweet Basil Cooking School. Sweet Basil started as a small operation with enough room for only 12 students. Today, they host up to 26 students in a variety of classes that cover all sorts of food. The hands on courses are geared towards more adventurous foods like island cuisine, brunch, and the aptly named “bacon, beer, and barbecue” series. Sweet Basil also caters to a wide audience. They have classes geared towards kids, teens, and couples.
Sur La Table is a widely recognized retail store for cooking supplies. But it’s also an underrated destination for cooking classes. You can attend classes almost every day of the month at either of their Scottsdale locations. While they host many basic cooking classes, Sur La Table also has stellar regional classes. You can learn how to cook Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, and Spanish food at their hands on courses. Kids can even get in on the fun with their frequent “confident cooking for kids” classes.
It doesn’t get much fresher than the food at the Garden Kitchen. That’s because they offer seed-to-table gardening and cooking classes. You can learn everything you need to know to grow, store, and prepare healthy meals. Their interactive classes are designed for cooks of all skill levels. They host monthly cooking demonstrations around the Tucson community in addition to gardening classes the first Saturday of every month.
Looking to spice up your cooking? Look no further than the Dhaba. The Dhaba is an award-winning Indian restaurant, market, and cooking school. Their classes feature in-depth instruction on creating renowned Indian cuisine. You can attend a four-session course held on Thursday nights or a “Culinary Showcase” held on Saturdays throughout the year. You will learn to cook and prepare a traditional Indian starter, entrée, side and dessert.
You don’t have to cook in the kitchen. Instead, sign up for an outdoor cooking class with the Phoenix BBQ and Grilling School. They offer four to six hour classes that will test your grilling skills. You’ll learn to become a grill master whether you’re cooking up steak, burgers, or seafood. Their most famous course focuses on smoking meats like pulled pork, brisket, and chicken. This six-hour course is offered on weekends from October to mid-May.
Becoming an expert chef doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, practice, and a few cracked eggs. Beginners in the Tucson area can refine their skills at Cuisine Classique. This small cooking school is locally run by a husband and wife duo. Their Basics of Cooking class is an eight-week crash course on all facets of cooking. They can assist you every step of the way, whether you’re learning how to sharpen a knife or are making your finest entrée. Cuisine Classique also host kids cooking camps and heritage recipe courses throughout the year.
Sedona exudes romance with both stunning sunsets and gorgeous red rocks. You can witness both while you cook at a class by Sedona by Cobalt Escapes. You will be guided by a local area chef while being surrounded by Sedona’s natural beauty during one of their three-hour classes. Classes focus on all types of food including classic American, Mexican, Southwestern, Italian, and Pan Asian Fusion. You can learn from the best while enjoying your dish Sedona-style.
Don’t worry about making a mistake at Whisked Away. This small, hands-on cooking school encourages students to learn from their kitchen mistakes. You’ll get personal guidance from a professional chef while trying your hand at a variety of cooking methodologies. Classes include everything from Thai to Cuban food in a state-of-the-art kitchen. You’ll learn how to cook efficiently, serve great tasting food, and learn from experts in the industry.