While there’s no shortage of stellar restaurant options here in Philadelphia, nothing beats a home–cooked meal. For an inexperienced cook, however, the task of whipping up an entire spread from scratch can be a daunting one. But have no fear, aspiring chefs, there are plenty of cooking classes around the city that will have you working the kitchen like a pro in no time.
La Cucina at the Market
Italian food lovers, this one’s for you. La Cucina specializes in teaching novice chefs the art of cooking classic Italian dishes (gnocchi and ravioli, anyone?). Aside from walking you through the basics of pasta making, the chefs at La Cucina will also teach you how to properly sauce and season your culinary creations. And if you're in need of a unique date idea, look no further than La Cucina’s date night demonstrations to whip up some handmade pasta for two.
Location: 1206 Arch St.
Free Library of Philadelphia: Culinary Literacy Center
The Free Library of Philadelphia offers culinary demonstrations taught by community chefs that put a twist on the classic cooking class. The Culinary Literacy Center puts on a wide variety of lessons throughout the week, including offerings that feature live music or specialize in cooking with specific ingredients like seeds. Their Edible Alphabet class also doubles as an Arabic language class that focuses on improving participants’ Arabic reading, writing, and speaking skills while making a classic recipe from the Arabic–speaking world.
Location: Varies by class
COOK
Sit back and relax as some of Philadelphia’s most renowned chefs walk you through how to prepare some of their most famous dishes. From classic Mediterranean brunch fare to trendy CBD–infused dishes, every aspiring chef can find a class that piques their culinary interest. With no more than 16 people per session, COOK encourages attendees to interact with their teachers. Who better to learn from than Philly’s best?
Location: 253 S. 20th St.
Let’s Cultivate Food
Attend a class at Let’s Cultivate Food’s studio and learn the art of making some of your favorite restaurant dishes from scratch. Let’s Cultivate Food also specializes in group events, making it a perfect weekend activity for you and your friends—nothing brings people together like food, after all. From pho to sushi to paella, Let's Cultivate Food offers dishes that everyone in your group can enjoy. Want to learn from the comfort of your kitchen? They also offer in–home cooking classes, complete with a menu customized to your interests.
Location: 4658 Umbria St.
