Awesome Cooking Classes for Aspiring Apartment Chefs
June 22, 2018
If you’re the kind of city-dweller who’s more likely to use your oven for spare shoe storage than actually making food, listen up: This is your cue to roll up your sleeves and get busy in the kitchen.
Whether you’re looking to start simple with an essential knife skills course, are curious to explore another culture through the medium of food, or want to work on eating healthily and seasonally, we’ve picked the best cooking classes to help you upgrade your expertise and turn out impressive, satisfying meals (even in the teeniest apartment kitchens). So long, shoes—we’ve got a cake to bake.
1. THE LEAGUE OF KITCHENS, NYC: Across cultures, food is the universal constant that brings people together—but even if you don’t have any international trips in your future, The League of Kitchens will sate both your culinary wanderlust and your appetite. The org sponsors New York-based immigrants from a range of backgrounds, who host cooking classes directly in their apartment kitchens. Depending on the session you choose, you’ll learn how to make everything from Nepali-style spinach momos to Lebanese tabbouleh—all while swapping stories, picking up new skills, and discovering more about each other’s traditions.
Image courtesy of The League of Kitchens
2. CULINAERIE, D.C.: Want to learn how to make your own sushi rolls on your next date night with bae? It’s easier than you might think. Eager to discover the basics of home-style Indian cooking? On it. Curious as to how your farmers' market haul can translate into an array of summery desserts? Sign on up. Each month, Washington, D.C.’s CulinAerie hosts dozens of classes aimed at apartment cooks of all stripes. Whatever’s on your culinary wish list, we’re betting they can sharpen your skills.
3. SPORK FOODS, LA: Whether you’re already vegan or are simply looking to slip more meatless Mondays into your schedule, Spork Foods is here to help. Based out of West Hollywood, the plant-based food company hosts a range of classes that prove how tasty and inspired meat-free cooking can be, with topics ranging from weeknight meals for the time-pressed to vegan takes on Italian classics. No Parmigiano? No problem.
Image courtesy of Spork Foods
4. HIPCOOKS, PORTLAND: If you prefer to freestyle it in the kitchen (or if your roommate still hasn’t replaced that cup measurer they smashed last month), Hipcooks wants you to feel confident about cooking sans measurements. Get rid of those teaspoons and toss that scale: instead, the cooking school will train you to cook by instinct and by taste, whether you’re whipping up homemade pasta or Cajun dishes.
5. READ IT & EAT, CHICAGO: It’s a bookstore! It’s a prep kitchen! Actually, Read It & Eat is both—and it offers some of the best cooking classes around for bibliophiles. The store regularly hosts discussions and author talks, cooking demonstrations with popular cookbook writers, tastings, and hands-on classes. Tie on that apron and get prepping. (Plus, browse the shelves for extra inspiration once class is over.)
6. THE PANTRY, SEATTLE: You know you’re a serious food lover and home cook when French macarons and charcuterie are on your to-make list. For adventurous gastronauts looking to expand their repertoires, The Pantry in Seattle hosts some of the most intensive and best cooking classes around. Explore Korean barbecue classics, learn how to cook with tea, or even give croissant-making a try. The Pantry’s one- or two-day courses are the next best thing to actually signing up for culinary school.
7. 18 REASONS, SAN FRANCISCO: Based out of the Mission District, 18 Reasons is a nonprofit that works with home cooks of all backgrounds and skill levels. The organization hosts nightly classes and dinners which cover everything from specialty skills like cheesemaking to classic brunch dishes. It also provides free Food Matters classes to thousands of low-income Bay Area residents—because access to essential home cooking skills shouldn’t be based on budget.
Image courtesy of Molly Decoudreaux
1. THE LEAGUE OF KITCHENS, NYC: Across cultures, food is the universal constant that brings people together—but even if you don’t have any international trips in your future, The League of Kitchens will sate both your culinary wanderlust and your appetite. The org sponsors New York-based immigrants from a range of backgrounds, who host cooking classes directly in their apartment kitchens. Depending on the session you choose, you’ll learn how to make everything from Nepali-style spinach momos to Lebanese tabbouleh—all while swapping stories, picking up new skills, and discovering more about each other’s traditions.
Image courtesy of The League of Kitchens
2. CULINAERIE, D.C.: Want to learn how to make your own sushi rolls on your next date night with bae? It’s easier than you might think. Eager to discover the basics of home-style Indian cooking? On it. Curious as to how your farmers' market haul can translate into an array of summery desserts? Sign on up. Each month, Washington, D.C.’s CulinAerie hosts dozens of classes aimed at apartment cooks of all stripes. Whatever’s on your culinary wish list, we’re betting they can sharpen your skills.
3. SPORK FOODS, LA: Whether you’re already vegan or are simply looking to slip more meatless Mondays into your schedule, Spork Foods is here to help. Based out of West Hollywood, the plant-based food company hosts a range of classes that prove how tasty and inspired meat-free cooking can be, with topics ranging from weeknight meals for the time-pressed to vegan takes on Italian classics. No Parmigiano? No problem.
Image courtesy of Spork Foods
4. HIPCOOKS, PORTLAND: If you prefer to freestyle it in the kitchen (or if your roommate still hasn’t replaced that cup measurer they smashed last month), Hipcooks wants you to feel confident about cooking sans measurements. Get rid of those teaspoons and toss that scale: instead, the cooking school will train you to cook by instinct and by taste, whether you’re whipping up homemade pasta or Cajun dishes.
5. READ IT & EAT, CHICAGO: It’s a bookstore! It’s a prep kitchen! Actually, Read It & Eat is both—and it offers some of the best cooking classes around for bibliophiles. The store regularly hosts discussions and author talks, cooking demonstrations with popular cookbook writers, tastings, and hands-on classes. Tie on that apron and get prepping. (Plus, browse the shelves for extra inspiration once class is over.)
6. THE PANTRY, SEATTLE: You know you’re a serious food lover and home cook when French macarons and charcuterie are on your to-make list. For adventurous gastronauts looking to expand their repertoires, The Pantry in Seattle hosts some of the most intensive and best cooking classes around. Explore Korean barbecue classics, learn how to cook with tea, or even give croissant-making a try. The Pantry’s one- or two-day courses are the next best thing to actually signing up for culinary school.
7. 18 REASONS, SAN FRANCISCO: Based out of the Mission District, 18 Reasons is a nonprofit that works with home cooks of all backgrounds and skill levels. The organization hosts nightly classes and dinners which cover everything from specialty skills like cheesemaking to classic brunch dishes. It also provides free Food Matters classes to thousands of low-income Bay Area residents—because access to essential home cooking skills shouldn’t be based on budget.
Image courtesy of Molly Decoudreaux
