Bon Appetit! Cooking classes around the world offer great meals and great memories. Here's what we look for to make sure we get great value as well.
We were sticky, sweaty, and we smelled distinctly of onions. Our feet were coated in a layer of fine dust and we had mysterious red splotches all over our shirts. We needed showers, we needed rest, and -truth be told - we probably needed to drink something other than wine. But we had the best morning imaginable!
We weren't participating in some kind of strange obstacle course or adventure excursion. No, Ryan and I were fresh from spending the morning at an incredible cooking class in Prague. The onion odor and red stains were the result of carefully (... or not so carefully....) stirring the base for a goulash and the dusty feet were courtesy of a market tour. And the wine, well...All in a day's work! Cooking classes around the world are our new favourite travel activity and we're not alone. Classes for non-chefs and travelers are popping up everywhere. We've never had a class we didn't absolutely love nor a meal that didn't leave us groaning with happy, overfull bellies. To ensure that your experience is just as great as ours, here's what you should look for in an overseas cooking class. Choosing a travel cooking class requires research
Participating in cooking classes around the world has sharpened our culinary skills, enhanced our cultural understanding, and has given us some truly spectacular meals. But not all "cooking classes" are equal. Some cooking classes are more like cooking demonstration - or maybe something in the middle. If student participation isn't clearly spelled out in the activity description - ask. Photos can be misleading.
Personally, I find the most rewarding classes are very "hands on", but I've had enjoyed wonderful demonstrations too. In tiny West Lorne, Ontario, I sat in and sampled as award winning chefs demonstrated complex recipes. The demonstrations were part of a larger event and it just wouldn't have been feasible to put on a full class. While you're in research mode, dig deep to find what exactly is included in, say, a 4 course meal. One of those "courses" may very well be a simple appetizer like crackers and cheese or bread and dip. And there's nothing wrong with that. You know how much I love cheese and bread! But it's not the same as learning to cook a brand new dish. At the same time, don't be dismayed if one of the dishes on your menu sounds very simple. Our cooking class in Prague taught us how to make homemade stock and our cooking class in Rome included a bruschetta lesson. In both cases, those simple dishes contained very valuable instructions that continue to influence our cooking to this day. If you want to combine cooking classes and travel, remember that size and environment matter for the best possible experience.
As with any travel activity, the size of the group and the structure of the activity matters. The smaller the cooking class, the better. We've done classes with 4 people and another with 8 - and that's plenty! It's not just about getting one on one time with the instructor. A small group makes for a fun environment and the chance to meet new friends. A fellow traveler in our Prague cooking class, for instance, gave me really helpful advice about our trip to Cape Cod. Thanks, Kelly!
We've done cooking classes in professional kitchens and we've also done cooking classes in modified apartments. Both were ideal settings for work and play. While I wouldn't dismiss a class held in a community center or an open air environment, make sure the amenities to match your expectations (like, say, access to washrooms and air conditioning!) Putting the pieces together: Communication and reviews
Normally I'm hesitant to rely heavily on online reviews. They have a tendency to attract bitter rants, not concrete information. But I've found online reviews helpful for assessing cooking classes. I'm curious about what the last dozen folks had to say. Did people find they got good value for their money? Did the class deliver as advertised? Were there any unexpected problems, like not having clear directions or surprise costs? You can pick up a lot of helpful information this way and get a good sense of value and satisfaction.
One thing I look for in reviews and on websites is if the company clearly talks about dietary restrictions. It's not always possible to accommodate restrictions but it IS possible to communicate clearly. At our cooking class in Rome, the interpreter double checked if there were any allergies even though we provided that information with registration. They even made a point of seeking Ryan out to confirm his shellfish allergy, though, with no shellfish on the menu, he had no concerns. That kind of thoroughness and attentiveness was very impressive. Good communication is a sign of a good class to come. For your last course: A few tips to get the best experience.
Have a very light meal or snack before your class. You definitely want to save lots of room to eat, drink, and be merry but you don't want to be cranky and hungry during introductions and food prep time.
Cooking classes are physical events! Wear comfortable, layered clothing and shoes that let you stir a hot pot, stroll around an outdoor market, and concentrate on rolling out pasta dough all during the same visit. If you have the opportunity to pay for an optional farmers market tour, I think it's worth it. As I mentioned in my quirky "penguins or no penguins" post, I first thought it was silly to pay to see a market. After all, it's something you can do for free! But it was a great way to enjoy a lot of small interactions with local residents and I certainly learned a lot. Cooking classes are popular items with third-party tour sellers and are sometimes combined with other tours and activities. Read the fine print to confirm what is and is not included. A city tour that includes a short cooking demonstration and tasting, followed by free time to explore a market, can be very enjoyable - but it's not the same as a comprehensive four hour class. If the cooking class program is the same by morning or by afternoon, I'd recommend choosing the later class. As my crafty fellow savers can deduce, a cooking class is a great substitute for buying a meal (and, in fact, it might be cheaper than some restaurants). It's usually easy to find inexpensive lunches around the world but dinners can be more challenging. So grab a sandwich for lunch and save the investment in a cooking class for when it can double as your evening meal. (Also, while I have no objection to drinking wine at 9:00 am - if your cooking class includes wine pairing you might enjoy it more later in the day.)
We can't wait to continue to slurp, stir, and saute our way around the world. Cooking classes are one of the most memorable, delicious, and delightful ways to discover new cities and we can't wait for the next ones!
If you enjoyed this recipe, you'll also like: The Recipe For A Great Time in Prague is at Chef Parade Roman Recipes: Cooking With Nonna In Rome What I Learned About Eating Local in West Lorne
22 Comments
24/4/2018 02:49:52 pm
Brilliant! Red onions in Prague. LOL! Love it. Attending a cooking class gives you a framework to work with. I do little cooking but would enjoy seeing a class. Or learning in one ;)
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Vanessa
24/4/2018 02:56:28 pm
In my cooking class in Rome, there was a class member who really couldn't cook - like, chopping tomatoes was a mystery to them! Our teacher was so kind and patient with them so, if they could do the class, anyone could! I think they're really great for all levels because the teachers really put people to work at their skill level and help coax them along.
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25/4/2018 03:21:32 pm
My most memorable experience in Barcelona was a cooking class. We made this simplr toasted bread, smeared with garlic and crushed tomatoes. Easy but divine. I would love to take one wherever I go. Most fun and a great adventure.
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Vanessa
26/4/2018 11:02:30 am
I would make that and eat it anywhere in the world. How yummy!
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9/6/2018 04:44:24 pm
"sticky, sweaty, and we smelled distinctly of onions" I love that intro. I wouldn't mind having a go at a cooking class when travelling but I'm not the best and think I would just prefer the tasting (and the wine!)
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Vanessa
10/6/2018 05:33:14 pm
Every good cook needs a sidekick to taste all the dishes!
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9/6/2018 11:24:55 pm
Your post inspired me to take cooking classes again. I used to assist in a local cooking school in Tucson, but that was years ago. Nowadays, I am more apt to eat peanut butter straight from the jar than cook a meal from scratch (but I am drinking wine right now if that counts for anything). Going to a local market and then preparing a meal sounds really neat and fun.
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Vanessa
10/6/2018 05:33:59 pm
I'm so glad I was able to inspire you! But there's nothing wrong with a little peanut butter every now and then.
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11/6/2018 01:18:00 am
Great insights on how to make the most of taking a cooking class. I loved food tours but this takes it to another level. Would love to attend the right class, at the right place and right time.
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Vanessa
11/6/2018 10:16:06 am
I really love food tours too but I agree that a cooking class lets you have even deeper appreciation and knowledge.
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Vanessa
12/6/2018 09:52:55 am
I was so impressed that they did that - it really sets a welcoming tone that they go out of their way to look after everyone.
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We love to do cooking classes when we travel too. We have only done hands on classes, so it was interesting to hear that some are just demonstrations. I will watch for that in future courses. We got very lucky in southern Italy to be the only ones in the class. We had such a good opportunity to learn so much. Your tip about eating first was a good one. You can’t always sample ingredients and work in progress in a class like you can at home if you are hungry. A great informative blog post for people wanting to do cooking classes. Pinned this too!
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Vanessa
12/6/2018 09:53:57 am
Thank you so much for your kind words!! And you made me laugh about not being able to sample like you do at home - cooking classes definitely require you to be exhibiting good manors. No stealing the ingredients as a snack!
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12/6/2018 11:00:28 am
This is helpful because I haven't done a lot of cooking classes, though I do think it's a great way to delve deeper into a culture. Definitely hands on (and hands eat) is the way to go, and markets, as you say, are a plus. I love the food in the Czech Republic and would love to learn how to make a good goulash from an expert.
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Vanessa
12/6/2018 08:02:27 pm
We became goulash maniacs while we were there- we couldn't stop ordering it everywhere we went.
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Vanessa
12/6/2018 08:05:15 pm
Yum! I can't wait to hear about your tasty adventures.
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Great tips about cooking classes, Agree I am with you on the hands on type of classes - the best experience (although we had a somewhat stressful one in Thailand where the teacher would be yelling at the top of her lungs to add ingredients at the precise time!) Also, the market tours - to buy the ingredients is the best part! Yes, end of the day -- make it your dinner for the night - good tip!
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Vanessa
12/6/2018 08:07:01 pm
Oh no - I def would not like a yelling instructor, ha ha.
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15/6/2018 05:59:34 pm
I hate when cooking classes sneak extra cost in it. Charge me full price up front and teach me how to cook an amazing local dish and I will love the class. I had an amazing class in the UAE that taught me the secret of making hummus.
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16/6/2018 05:29:47 am
Cooking classes seem like a lot of fun! What a fun experience. And seems like you had a great time at the market too!
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