Top California Cooking Classes - page 2

If you fancy yourself a foodie or culture enthusiast, don’t miss this walking tour of San Francisco’s Little Italy—the neighborhood of North Beach. Voted one of the 15 best foodie tours in the USA by U.S. News, join an insider guide and experience a slice of the top things to do in North Beach, such as tasting coffee and witnessing bread being freshly made. Soak up the lively atmosphere of one of the city’s most popular districts as you learn about its cafes and bakeries and see landmarks like Saints Peter and Paul Church.

See the sights of Hollywood on this tour by open-top Mercedes minibus or Ford Van with a canopy, which allows you to enjoy unobstructed views as you go. Traveling with an on-board guide, you'll pass by attractions such as the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, and movie studios. Plus, get a look at some of the mansions where past and present stars have lived.

Here at Menchaca Chocolates we'd like to think we are adventurers continuing to re-define an ancient Pod found 150 miles from the equator. So we decided that to truly understand this magical bean you have to experience it through all your senses: taste, touch, smell, cracking and visual transformation. We developed these Chocolate & Art Workshops to do just that. You will get to know the possibilities and have a chance to make a custom unique Chocolate product and if you choose, design a label or Box to package it in. You can also learn exactly how we make our chocolate in Mr. Menchaca's Micro- batch Chocolate Factory Tour!

Pizza with real Italian pedigree – this hands-on class in Los Angeles, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs, is led by a professional pizzaiola trained in wood-burning oven technique. You choose your classic and gourmet toppings; she teaches you how to build the dough that holds it all together. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Classic Pizza – choose from Pizza Margherita or Pizza Marinara - Gourmet Pizza – choose from Arugula with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella bites or Parmigiana You will leave with a deep understanding of authentic Italian pizza technique – from dough to toppings – and the confidence to recreate it at home. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

From the Hollywood Sign to the sunny beaches of Santa Monica and the glitz of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is full of iconic sights. This guided full-day tour transports you by air-conditioned coach to top attractions—from Venice Beach to the Sunset Strip to Griffith Park and more—with included lunch at the Farmers' Market and optional hotel pickup for select locations.

This is not your average pasta night. In this playful cooking class with Chef Maggie, you’ll make fresh rainbow pasta from scratch at a stylish local venue in Sacramento. It’s colorful, hands-on and much more exciting than opening another box of noodles. Start by mixing pasta dough with flour and olive oil before creating natural colors with turmeric for orange, spinach for green and beets for magenta pink. Chef Maggie will teach you how to knead, roll and cut the dough into ribbons before cooking it to tender perfection. While the pasta boils, you’ll make a bright farm-fresh tomato sauce with garlic, basil, olive oil and Parmesan. By the end, you’ll sit down to enjoy a homemade rainbow pasta feast that tastes as good as it looks.

A social gathering awaits at this hands-on cooking class in San Diego, where participants collaborate with professional chefs to whip up authentic Italian-inspired dishes from scratch. Over three to three and a half hours, enjoy welcome appetizers, create two main dishes tailored to your group’s preferences, and savor a delightful signature dessert. With the added touch of a welcome drink in hand, the experience culminates in communal dining, allowing everyone to relish the culinary creations they helped craft together.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culinary traditions with a hands-on sushi class in San Jose, hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to a small group, this workshop with an esteemed sushi chef teaches you the essentials of seafood sushi-making. The menu you will prepare includes: - Starter: Spicy sesame edamame - Sushi rice preparation for rolling and shaping - California roll with real crab, cucumber and avocado - Spicy tuna roll with sriracha and fresh tuna - Nigiri with shrimp, tuna or eel (market availability) Learn knife techniques, rice preparation and plating while creating a complete sushi menu in an intimate, interactive setting.

Visit Northern California wine country and Muir Woods for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discounted price: Begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument, then tour three wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with tastings included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge, with a stop for a photo opportunity. Guests can buy lunch if you haven't upgraded to the gourmet lunch option.

Learn to surf at one of California’s most famous spots during this introductory surfing class at Venice Beach. This class is suitable for all levels, whether it's your first time surfing or you are advancing your skills. Spend some time training on the beach, then hop in the Pacific Ocean for instruction in the water, followed by time for practice.

Delve into the rich flavors of Sicily with a hands-on seafood cooking class at Cucina Migrante. In this engaging 3-hour session, you’ll prepare two seasonal seafood dishes while learning about the cultural influences that define Sicilian coastal cuisine. Guided by a professional chef, discover how to select the freshest fish and gain insights into San Diego’s local seafood system. Enjoy a communal dining experience complete with an appetizer, dessert, and a welcome glass of wine, while sharing stories and laughter with fellow food enthusiasts. Feel free to bring your own beverages to complement the meal. What's included: All equipment for cooking Ingredients for the dishes Two seasonal seafood dishes Appetizer and dessert Welcome wine / beer Non-alcoholic beverages BYOB welcome Highlights Hands-on instruction from professional chef Learn to recognize fresh fish and hear about local fishermen Shared dining experience with a welcome wine and dessert

Cook alongside Nicole, a vibrant Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef with 15+ years of experience in French and Italian cuisine, and a personal chef to LA’s elite. In her welcoming home kitchen, you’ll learn hands-on techniques for preparing Mediterranean-inspired dishes—or opt for a baking class featuring scones and macarons. Whether you’re searing steak, perfecting vinaigrette, or mastering delicate macarons, Nicole shares expert tips and warm hospitality. Enjoy your meal with wine or beer, and leave with new skills and unforgettable memories. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets are all welcome—just note preferences when booking!

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

This immersive sushi experience celebrates where tradition meets innovation. Guided by your host, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of authentic sushi-making while exploring the fresh, vibrant ingredients that define California cuisine. Together, you’ll craft beloved West Coast–style rolls that respect Japanese roots while embracing California’s adventurous palate.

Step into a cozy Italian home in Los Angeles for a hands-on pasta-making experience with Chef Luana, a culinary expert from Abruzzo. Learn the art of crafting pasta alla chitarra using the traditional tool, shaping fresh, square-edged spaghetti just like in Italy. Choose between a fresh tomato sauce or the rich Abruzzese ragù with mini meatballs for your dish. Enjoy a complete Italian meal featuring toasted homemade bread with mozzarella, your handmade pasta, and a delightful tiramisu for dessert, all paired with Italian espresso or herbal tea. Discover the flavors of Abruzzo right in your city.

This hands-on cooking class with Chef Lina transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy bowl of wonton noodle soup. You’ll begin by preparing a savory pork filling, blending Chinese seasonings for depth and balance. Then, learn the proper folding technique to seal delicate wontons into neat, flavorful parcels. As your dumplings rest, you’ll build a fragrant broth and prepare fresh components including egg noodles, bok choy and julienned carrots. Chef Lina walks you step-by-step through timing and assembly, showing you how to layer textures for a vibrant, nourishing finish. Finally, simmer your wontons to tender perfection and ladle everything together into a steaming bowl. Hosted at a trendy Sacramento venue, this beginner-friendly experience includes all ingredients, professional tools and a complete meal you’ll prepare and enjoy yourself.

Discover how to balance sweet, savory and spice in a comforting Thai classic. In this interactive class, Chef Lina breaks down the essential techniques behind restaurant-quality Thai chicken yellow curry. Start by learning how to properly bloom curry paste and build layers of flavor before adding chicken, potatoes, carrots and onion. Then, stir in creamy coconut milk and adjust the seasoning with palm sugar and fish sauce for perfect harmony. As your curry develops depth, prepare jasmine rice to complement the bold sauce. Chef Lina offers personalized guidance throughout, ensuring you leave confident recreating this vibrant dish at home. With hands-on instruction, premium ingredients and a full meal included, this Sacramento cooking experience delivers both technique and unforgettable flavor in every bite.

Good news: pad Thai is not nearly as complicated as your takeout habit has led you to believe. Better news: Chef Krong is about to prove it in the most delicious way possible. In this fun, beginner-friendly cooking class you will learn to make Thailand's national dish from scratch, the whole thing, start to finish, with rice noodles, tofu, bean sprouts, cilantro and lime coming together into something that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did. Chef Krong walks you through every step with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you wonder why you waited this long to learn. By the time you plate up your finished pad Thai you will be equal parts proud, full and slightly annoyed at every mediocre takeout order you ever settled for. San Diego deserves better. So do you.

Tea is a living tradition, a sensory experience, and a moment of connection. We offer a guided tasting that invites you to explore tea with presence and curiosity. You’ll sample a flight of three premium teas, carefully chosen from white, green, oolong, black, or puerh. Each is prepared with precision, allowing you to experience its evolving aroma, flavor, and energy. You’ll learn the history and origins of these teas, their health benefits, and the nuances that distinguish one from another. This is not a rushed tasting or a casual sip-and-go. It’s an invitation to engage with tea fully—to notice the way it feels in your hands, the way the flavors shift with each infusion, the quiet clarity it brings. Set in a rustic tea house surrounded by a wild and intentional garden, this experience offers a pause from the noise of daily life. Whether you’re new to tea or a longtime drinker, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for its craft, culture, and quiet power.

For travelers seeking a peaceful and meaningful way to experience Santa Barbara, this guided Cha Dao tea ceremony offers a moment to slow down, reconnect, and be fully present. Hosted in a serene setting, your experience begins with an introduction to the art of Cha Dao — the “Way of Tea” — where mindfulness, simplicity, and presence come together through the ritual of tea. Your tea master brings over a decade of experience serving tea around the world, along with a rich creative background as a multi-instrumentalist, poet, and world traveler. Whether it’s your first tea ceremony or a familiar practice, guests are gently guided into a calm and reflective atmosphere that invites stillness, curiosity, and gratitude. Many visitors leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and deeply connected to the moment. After the ceremony, there will be time to relax, reflect, and share insights from the experience together — creating space for both personal integration and meaningful connection.

Roll with it in this unforgettable sushi fusion class at a local Los Angeles venue with Chef Cici, You’ll get hands-on as you learn the art of sushi-making, starting with perfecting seasoned rice and mastering those iconic nori wraps. Then, create two flavor-packed rolls: a classic crab roll with avocado and fish roe, and a crispy sweet potato roll with cream cheese and avocado for the ultimate sweet-savory combo. Whether you're a sushi-rolling pro or a curious first-timer, this relaxed, beginner-friendly class serves up good vibes, great bites and maybe even your new favorite roll.

Breath is the bridge between body and mind—seen and unseen. This guided breathwork session is designed to expand awareness, unlock inner vitality, and cultivate deep presence. We open the space with ceremonial-grade tea, a grounding ritual that invites you to become more receptive to the subtle energies of the body. With intention set, the breathwork journey begins. You’ll be gently guided through a blend of rhythmic breathing techniques, kundalini-style activations, and meditation practices. Whether you are new to breathwork or seasoned with inner work, this session offers a powerful yet accessible way to release tension, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with your authentic self. Our à la carte wellness offerings are crafted to meet you exactly where you are—offering a deeply nourishing experience that supports your well-being from the inside out.

We carry unique wines from around the world with varietals you may have never heard of and from regions that have never encountered such as Mexico, Uruguay, or South Africa. All our wines are expertly curated, sustainably grown, and crafted in small production methods that are not only natural, but provide the best quality and health benefits.

There’s something weirdly therapeutic about folding dumplings while pretending you’re in a tiny Tokyo food stall. In this lively cooking class with Chef Darren, hosted at a stylish local venue in Los Angeles, you’ll learn how to craft authentic Japanese pork gyozas from scratch in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Start by preparing fresh dumpling dough before mixing a flavorful filling with ground pork, garlic chives, ginger, soy and sesame. Chef Darren will teach you how to properly fold and seal each gyoza so they cook evenly with that crispy-bottom, juicy-center situation everyone loves. The class is beginner-friendly, hands-on and packed with practical techniques you can absolutely recreate at home when you want to impress friends without spending three hours in the kitchen. Expect plenty of tasting, laughter and “okay wait, I made these?” moments as you enjoy your homemade dumplings fresh off the pan.