Cooking Lessons in DC Area

[pios76]

Newish cook wanting to learn actual techniques in the DC area - I can and do cook but have never been taught proper techniques or skills and think I'd like to learn.

Would like a place that is convenient to downtown DC and is affordable.

Appreciate any recommendations.

[baconjen]

It's been years, but I took a couple french cooking classes at L'Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda. The classes I took were fabulous and had many techniques and simple recipes (salad dressing, au gratin potatoes, beef tenderloin, etc.) that I use again and again. Lots of emphasis on equipment and ingredients. Classes weren't cheap, but they were reasonable and I always got to eat a pretty good meal with wine in the classs. Not a huge meal or anything, but a significant tasting of everything made. As I said though, it's been years, so I would look at the catalog to see what is offered. Took a good Italian class there too.

[pomme de terre]

Late to the party, but I had an excellent experience with Arlington County Parks and Rec, which is located right by the Clarendon Metro. I took an Indian cooking class that was, I think, $125 for six weeks (which included six dinners that the class prepared together). I think they have more basic knife skills classes, but I thought the foreign food classes seemed most interesting, since I had nooooo background in them. The class was really nice and unpretentious -- the teacher was this cute little Indian grandma who told us about these obscure stores where we could buy cardamom for cheap. :)

[pios76]

Thank you all, much appreciated.

[hill food]

in Tuesday or Wednesday's (I think) the WaPo posted that there was going to be some free class at a synagogue in far NW this Sunday. can't remember the details or even the topic.

maybe check their going out guru section. I tried but it was fruitless.

[dartmouth05]

For convenient to downtown DC, I'd say Culinaerie, Hill's Kitchen, or L'Academie de Cuisine's recreational arm in Bethesda (a short walk from the Bethesda metro stop).

For affordability, however, I like Cookology in Dulles Town Center. Usually around $49-59 for a class, compared to $85 at Culinaerie, for example.

[chowser]

I know you want DC but if you can get out to Gaithersburg, you can volunteer for recreational classes at L'Academie de Cuisine (prep, clean up, help during class) and get a big discount (I think it's half price) for your next class.

[DCDeb]

You can assist at CulinAerie also. Makes a fun evening out, if you enjoy being in a professional kitchen. You help set up and clean up. In return, you get to take the class for free and have dinner with the Chef afterward.

The classes make great gifts. I took a seafood class with my BF last year for his birthday and loved it.

[DCDeb]

CulinAerie at Thomas Circle (Metro McPherson Square or Farragut North stations) is terrific. They offer a range of technique classes, including a 12 week master class. There are also themes like food and wine pairing or healthy cooking. Their website has a schedule of classes.

http://www.culinaerie.com/
1131 14th Street NW · Washington, DC 20005
phone: [phone] ·

[ec_washington55]

I just took the knife skills course last night at CulinAerie - really great course! It was the first cooking class I've ever taken, so I don't have much to match it against, but my boyfriend bought it for me as a Living Social (similar to Groupon) deal - and these seem to turn up fairly often in rotation - so that seems to be a good way to make the courses more affordable - because I agree, I looked at some of other classes , and they are EXPENSIVE!

[hill food]

Hill's Kitchen at Eastern Market Metro has regular classes from basics to esoterics

Leah the owner is very personable
http://www.hillskitchen.com/
email [e-mail]

I just received a more up to date schedule than is on their website