Top California Cooking Classes

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your go-tos and uncover the secrets to French baking, this small-group macaron baking class in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great choice. Not only will you learn how to make these French delights from scratch, but you will also get tips to make things easier as you go from a master chef featured on the Cooking Channel. This hands-on baking class is fun for both beginner and experienced bakers alike.

Experience a private market tour and cooking class in a local home in Long Beach, California. BA, a public health professional and passionate home cook and baker, will be your host. Her international experience means she loves to mix exotic flavors with local, seasonal produce. Vegetarian, dairy/lactose free, and gluten free options are easy for her to accommodate. After shopping for local produce at the market, head to BA's home for a 2-hour cooking class, and then enjoy your meal together.

The ONLY Thai cooking class in Monterey! Fun & Tasty Party + Memorable Experience Plan your special holidays, surprise date night, birthday, bachelorette parties, company retreat, team building and family reunion events with Thai cooking class or just want to have fun learning about Thai cuisine. Tantalizing Thai food--Learn how to cook delicious and nutritious meals in no time! The class can be held with two people but expand up to six. It is a fun activity for everyone. We operate rain or shine! The class begins with learning the basics of Thai herbs and spices and what utensil and ingredients are typically found in a Thai kitchen. We will cover a wide assortment of famous Thai recipes and then proceed to learn to cook two of them and of course, enjoy dining together.

Visit the home of a Palm Springs local to enjoy culture and cuisine during a private Southwestern cooking class. Over a welcome drink, peruse and discuss your host's thoughtfully prepared menu and recipes. During the hands-on cooking class, learn how to prepare a 3-course meal of Southwestern dishes. Discover the culinary tips, tricks, and techniques your host has acquired over the years, before tucking into your tasty creations.

Roll through Northern California’s famous wine country on the renowned Napa Valley Wine Train. Pass charming towns like Rutherford and St. Helena, and soak up the scenery of rolling hills, vineyards, and estates through large picture windows on the trip. Explore the restored vintage train cars, and then take a seat for a gourmet lunch or dinner freshly prepared by the train’s acclaimed on-board restaurant.

Learn how to make your own Shanghaineese dumplings from scratch in this interactive cooking class in the heart of San Francisco. Make dumpling dough using Chef Edmund's family recipe, and master the art of folding with precision as you create delicious dumplings filled with your choice of an American Wagyu, local organic pork or tofu stuffing. No pre-made skins will be used and you'll take home a recipe guide at the end. Afterward, experience umami by tasting Chef's favorite sauces and creating your own secret dumpling dipping sauce. Savor a delicious three-course meal, featuring your handmade dumplings and local ingredients. Perfect for food lovers and those looking to connect over a shared culinary experience.

Experience the ultimate hands-on sourdough class with a self-taught Italian baker and mother of four, set on a breathtaking ocean view deck in La Jolla. Unlike typical baking classes, every guest takes home a gourmet take-and-bake loaf, their own starter, and a recipe guide to continue the experience at home. Enjoy a thoughtful light lunch or dinner while soaking in panoramic coastal views, and bring your own wine for a relaxed, sophisticated touch. Perfect for all skill levels and ages, this family-friendly, immersive class combines luxury, fun, and education in a way no other baking experience can. Personalized guidance, stunning scenery, and authentic Italian techniques make this truly unforgettable.

This 90-minute experience offers the rare chance to create a premium skincare product from scratch using fresh goat milk right from our own resident herd. It’s a completely beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop where you are guided through the entire process—from choosing custom scents and colors to pouring the mold. Best of all, it seamlessly blends an interactive studio craft with a relaxing, outdoor meet-and-greet with our friendly miniature dairy goats, sending you home with a giant 3lb loaf of custom soap perfect for sensitive skin.

Ready to upgrade your pasta skills and unleash your inner Italian nonna? Join Chef Maggie for a fun, technique-packed cooking class focused on two timeless pasta favorites: pappardelle and ravioli. You’ll learn how to make your own pasta dough by hand, mastering essential techniques like kneading, rolling, and shaping. Chef Maggie will guide you through crafting perfect pappardelle noodles and expertly stuffed ravioli filled with a vibrant, herb-infused ricotta and tofu blend. You’ll also whip up a flavorful aglio e olio sauce using olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs, topped off with plant-based Parmesan and fresh parsley. It’s a celebration of traditional Italian cooking with a modern, plant-based twist. What to Expect: - Step-by-step guidance from a talented chef who makes it make sense. - A fun, beginner-friendly class where no one judges your knife skills. - Tasting, laughing and leveling up your kitchen game. - Ideal for: a solo outing, date night, girls’ night or group fun.

Immerse yourself in the artistry of Italian cuisine in San Francisco, hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to a small group, this hands-on class with a five-star pasta chef blends refined flavors, traditional recipes and modern presentation. The menu you will prepare includes: - Antipasti with marinated vegetables, cured meats and cheeses - Handmade pasta with slow-simmered beef sauce - Chicken piccata with lemon, pancetta and greens - Grilled peaches with honey and mascarpone cream Learn kneading, rolling, sauce-making and plating techniques while enjoying authentic Italian dishes in an intimate, relaxed setting.

Transform into a scientist for a night at this immersive laboratory-themed experience, where cocktails meet captivating experiments in a lively interactive environment. With lab coats and goggles on, participants engage in real science experiments that bubble, pop, and fizz while enjoying seasonal themed drinks. Thrilling games and karaoke heighten the excitement, allowing friends to compete in scientific challenges for a chance to win free shots. This unique fusion of learning and entertainment fosters camaraderie, making it the perfect setting for special occasions or a fun night out with friends, infused with laughter and discovery.

Discover the art of pasta-making in an intimate Los Angeles kitchen guided by a top-rated chef. Limited to a small group, this class blends approachable recipes with authentic Italian techniques. The menu you will prepare includes: - Chef-prepared appetizer - Handmade spaghetti and fettuccine with sauce pairings such as ragù, tomato, mushroom-sausage or sautéed vegetables - Chef-prepared dessert celebrating Italian traditions With hands-on guidance, you’ll knead, roll and shape pasta while exploring both classic and seasonal flavors.

This experience blends hands-on mixology, local history, and iconic Bay Area views into one memorable San Francisco outing. Hosted inside a historic 1930s Art Deco distillery on Treasure Island, guests enjoy sweeping views of the Bay while learning the craft behind classic whiskey cocktails. During the class, guests shake and stir three iconic drinks — the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Paper Plane, while discovering how different whiskeys shape flavor, balance, and aroma. One of the moments guests love most is tasting the first cocktail they’ve made themselves. Even those who say they “don’t usually drink whiskey” are often surprised by how approachable and delicious it can be. Getting here is easy, including a scenic six-minute ferry ride from the San Francisco Ferry Building. Gold Bar Whiskey is the Official Whiskey of the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco is home to so many enchanting neighborhoods that it can be challenging to explore them all. On this small-group walking tour, visit Chinatown and North Beach, two of the city’s most storied districts, in about a half day of sightseeing. Learn about culture and traditions from your local guide, and stop for generous food tastings—from tea and dim sum in Chinatown to fresh cannoli in one of North Beach's oldest bakeries.

Immerse yourself in a unique culinary experience at Smruti's home in Pleasanton, just outside San Francisco. This hands-on cooking class combines the vibrant spices of Indian cuisine with the fresh ingredients of California. Begin your journey with a welcome drink, then engage in the preparation of three flavorful dishes using seasonal produce. Learn essential cooking techniques and enjoy your creations paired with local wine in a relaxed setting. The menu can be tailored to accommodate dietary preferences, ensuring an inclusive experience that highlights the rich culinary diversity of the region. Optional: Choose a market tour on Saturdays and Smruti, your warm and knowledgeable host, will guide you through the bustling stalls just steps from her home. Together, you'll explore the seasonal bounty of California, hand-picking fresh produce, sampling local cheeses, and selecting ingredients that will inspire the meal to come.

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!

Guarantee your seat aboard the Privateer, your sailboat, when you prebook a scenic cruise along the San Francisco Bay. As you set off on the water, you'll enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day—sunset. Coast along and look out for local landmarks like Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate Bridge, all with two drinks of your choice in your hand.

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.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this small-group walking tour. Explore local markets and savor tastings that add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, crispy Peking duck, and other specialties. Listen to guided commentary and ask questions as you discover the neighborhood's rich culture and flavors.

At Meadowcroft Wines, learn about the art and science of winemaking by blending and bottling your very own bottle of wine. We’ll start with a stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens of Cornerstone Sonoma and an idyllic vineyard for a firsthand look at the vines. As we walk the rows, We’ll share why the iconic Sonoma Valley is the perfect No previous wine experience is necessary - perfect for all levels of wine experience and interest.

Experience a guided tasting of teas sourced from a 100-year-old farm in Uji, Japan. Explore a range of flavors—from traditional matcha to a dessert-style matcha—in a relaxed, approachable setting. This unique activity blends authentic tea culture with a casual vibe, making it perfect for team building, group outings, or a fun activity with friends. Please note the minimum group is 7 and maximum is 15 guests.

It is important to note that I am very selective about my choice of wines. With over 500 wineries in the valley, many small, fine wine oriented producers are overlooked by large scale industrial operations. We will taste some of Napa’s most heralded wineries (likely ones you’ve never heard of), as well as international wines. I like to champion true artisans and support small businesses!

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.