Intensive weekend cooking classes?

[mr_darcy]

Any recommendations for weekend cooking classes in the Bay Area? I'm specifically looking for classes where I can hone a specific technique to perfection and really get a solid grasp of the scientific principles behind it, rather than the more fun-focused classes where you cook a meal with everyone and eat it at the end, which seem more designed to just get your feet wet.

Thanks!

[Chris Towns]

I think if you contact Cooking with Julie in Napa you could tailor a class to your liking. She is classically trained and does custom classes, even on the weekends. Her instruction is very detailed and full of professional vernacular and helpful hints. I have been extremely pleased with what I have learned in the ones I have taken.
Here is the link

https://www.cookingwithjulie.com

[maria lorraine]

Julie's good.

I like some of the classes at Casa Lana too, in Calistoga. Check out the programs.

[pisang goreng]

I've always wanted to go Ramekins in Sonoma. Has anyone tried this place? http://www.ramekins.com/

[mr_darcy]

Thanks much for all the helpful responses!

[Brandon Nelson]

The up valley extension of Napa Valley College has a class called "blademaster", it is all about knife technique.

[maria lorraine]

Check out all the classes offered by the Culinary Arts Department of the Upper Valley campus (St. Helena) of Napa Valley College.

[eatzalot]

Hugh Carpenter, something of an underground cult figure for his cookbooks (with his wife) on eclectic Asian and Asian-fusion food ("Hot Wok," "Hot Pasta," etc.) -- Carpenter was a former Chinese-Studies scholar -- teaches intensive, retreat-type cooking classes in the Napa area, which may be longer than weekends. Link below to the site.

The guy is a phenomenon. I took a couple of his abbreviated (evening) classes on the Peninsula, last decade (as part of a classy series that brought in everyone from Chef Chu to Mimi Sheraton to Julia Child). He was truly original and worthwhile. Deep explanations, demonstrations of how the flavors "work" with each other. The sort of cook who will show you insights that few others know about. I came away inspired, cooking with some of his ideas ever since.

http://www.hughcarpenter.com/schools/

[maria lorraine]

That's a great recommendation. Does Hugh still teach? I've never taken a class but both he and his wife are certainly lovely to be around.

[Robert Lauriston]

Tante Marie has some weekend programs:
http://www.tantemarie.com/cookingcourses.html

Cavallo Point had some when they first started, but I don't see any on the current schedule.
http://www.cavallopoint.com/cooking_school.php

Kitchen on Fire has Saturday classes:
http://www.kitchenonfire.com/classes/...

[wolfe]

Probably not what you want but here is a schedule with weekend classes.
http://www.cookingschoolsofamerica.co...