Destination
California Culinary Travel
It is hard, if not impossible, to describe California cuisine. For some, the image of coastline and seafood springs to mind. For others, it’s the vineyards and hillsides of Napa Valley. But whatever image you conjure up, it must reflect a deep appreciation for nature. Because that is the true essence of California cuisine. Enjoy an unforgettable weekend or week-long food and wine vacation and define California’s culinary identity for yourself.
— California Culinary Vacations —
Choose one of our Pre-Packaged Vacations to California
A Magnificent Culinary Journey in La Jolla
A beautiful year-round destination, the San Diego area combines the art and culture of a major metropolis with a relaxed, small-town feel. This culinary getaway includes a fabulous private cooking class in La Jolla, and farmers market tour - culminating in a delicious, multi-course dining experience overlooking the ocean.
Location: San Diego
CIA Series - Seasons In The Wine Country
Your culinary weekend in Napa Valley not only includes a day of professional, hands-on cooking classes, but you’ll also spend an evening dining on Chef Ken Frank’s 7-Course Chef’s Table seasonal menu prepared just for you. To top off your culinary weekend to Napa Valley, you will enjoy a guided foodie tour that winds its way through the Oxbow Public Market and along the riverfront where you will explore revitalized downtown Napa with fellow foodies.
Location: Napa
Culinary Celebration in the Wine Country
Celebrate your special occasion enjoying your passion for food, wine and fun in the very heart of California's Napa Valley. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, world-class farmer's market tours, hands-on cooking classes, VIP wine tours and tastings and memorable cuisine perfectly paired with wine and legendary Napa Valley hospitality.
Location: Napa Valley
Epicurean Escape in the Wine Country
Experience the mingling of food, wine and fun in the very heart of California's Napa Valley wine country. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, world-class hands-on cooking class, tasting menus paired with wines from a host of America's most lauded chefs, and VIP wine tastings and tours.
Location: Napa Valley
Gluten-Free Flavors of the Wine Country
Whether you are simply looking to start on the path to a healthier lifestyle, or have strong sensitivities to gluten, you will find that this culinary getaway points you in the right direction from “sweet” to “savory”…and everything in-between. If you are new to gluten-free cooking, or interested in enhancing your skills, this is the getaway for you!
Location: Napa Valley
Mini-Culinary Boot Camp
There are far more expensive and time consuming programs to gain full immersion into the world of professional cooking, but our Mini-Culinary Boot Camp provides you with both basic and advanced techniques. Whether you are a novice cook, or you have been chopping and dicing for years, this popular series will teach you a wealth of useful skills.
Location: St. Helena
Mini-Mediterranean Cooking Vacation
Your Mini-Mediterranean Cooking Vacation includes 2 nights lodging, full breakfast each morning, and a private hands-on cooking class culminating in a fabulous sit down meal complete with wine parings. You’ll be in beautiful Southern California, but you’ll think you’re vacationing along the Amalfi Coast!
Location: La Jolla
Santa Barbara Culinary Retreat
What you may have seen on Food Network or in the movie Sideways won't compare with the reality of what you will find on your special culinary getaway - guided culinary shopping, cooking class, farmers' market foray, an eclectic blend of agritourism venues and specialty purveyors who invite you to sample their products.
Location: Santa Barbara
The Apprentice
You could be the hit of your next social occasion with a unique gourmet treat, complemented by the perfect wine and an evening of camaraderie! Become an Apprentice for the weekend and learn to make delicious, velvety cheese…or create your own sausages and salamis that will amaze your friends and relatives back home.
Location: St. Helena
Wine Train Culinary Sojourn
Experience the city of Napa like never before. California’s Wine Country isn’t just about wine, it is about finding the perfect blend of wine and food. Your Unique Culinary Getaway in California’s Wine Country will take you through a tour of Napa’s culinary world as well as a unique train tour of an authentic Wine Country Winery.
Location: Napa
— California Cooking Schools —
Choose from one of several intimately designed cooking demonstrations, unique lectures, or private classes. There is plenty of hands on participation, from novice to professional, to make this a truly memorable and inviting opportunity. Please join us for a fun and educational culinary experience.
Location: Carmel
Three basic principles guide everything we do at Cook Club – make great food, have fun, and teach folks to make great food while having fun. Simple. Our team of professionally trained chefs bring this passion for food, fun and hands-on education to each and every one of our events.
Location: San Francisco
Each cooking class at SCUOLA RUSTICA in the Wine Country of Sonoma is a light-hearted and relaxed event that includes a complete, lavish four or five course lunch or dinner with three or more vintage wines…while you learn new cooking skills.
Location: Sonoma
Through fun and educational hands-on cooking classes, culinary demonstrations and lectures taught by top chefs and food professionals, we demystify home cooking and entertaining.
Location: Berkeley
As a cooking school, we offer a unique experience for aspiring “home chefs” of all ages. Our classes are limited to 10 people, and are designed for fun! We also travel to the most desirable locations in France, Italy and Spain, immersing ourselves in the culture of food and wine.
Location: Laguna Beach
Relish Culinary School stands out as the only “roving” culinary program that brings together talented chefs and fabulous cuisine at captivating wine country locations to create one-of-a-kind hands-on and demonstration cooking experiences.
Location: Healdsburg
Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco was founded as a full-time school in 1979 and was one of the first schools of fine cooking in this country to offer all-day, year-round classes for people who are serious about cooking well.
Location: San Francisco
Whether you are interested in a serious culinary career, just want to learn the fundamentals or improve your existing skills, The New School of Cooking has a course for you.
Location: Culver City
A Store for Cooks
Laguna Niguel - 949-495-0445
Our specialty classes offer you a chance to meet world renown chefs and discuss the intimate details of their cooking secrets in an very comfortable setting.
Alchemy of the Hearth
Escondido - 760-233-2433
Alchemy of the Hearth is dedicated to the home cook. Our classes include adventures in cooking, baking, chocolate and candy making, etiquette and party planning. With locations in both Escondido and San Diego, we invite you to join us in our pursuit of simple pleasures.
Balboa Park Food and Wine School
San Diego - 619-557-9441
Welcome to San Diego's new center for food, wine education and entertainment where you can explore the enchanting world of culinary arts in the intimate and historic surroundings of the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park.
Bistro Cooking
Fresno - 559-436-0747
A Central Valley native, Shirley Sprinkle picked up a whisk and a spatula when she was twelve years old and hasn’t looked back. All classes are hands-on and match each student with recipes that fit their likes, lifestyle, and skills.
Bristol Farms Cooking School
Manhattan Beach - 310-233-4752
Join the fun as we create and share our favorite recipes for every occasion.Class menus are always a surprise but the themes offer a clue to the recipe selection!
Café Med
Bakersfield - 661-834-4433
Chef Meir Brown and his staff offer step-by-step instructions and invite you to help prepare gourmet meals in our gourmet presentation kitchen. All participants will dine together and take home recipes with detailed instructions.
California Kitchen & Company
Red Bluff - 530-529-2482
At California Kitchen & Company we are proud to offer a variety of culinary educational seminars that are both hands-on and fun! Our instructors will not only share their secrets of the cuisine, but also the culture.
California Sushi Academy
Los Angeles - 310-301-1866
The educational philosophy of the California Sushi Academy crosses borders, race and gender to bring greater Japanese cultural understanding and appreciation through the culinary experience.
Celine's Cuisine
Murrieta - 619-964-1084
Celine’s Cuisine French and Mediterranean cooking classes are delightful. Whether it is a birthday party, anniversary, bridal shower, club dinner party or team building event…getting your own group together for a class is huge fun! Dates, times, and class menus are flexible.
Chef Amanda Cushman
Los Angeles - 310-980-0139
Chef Amanda Cushman
offers private cooking classes. Chef Cushman will come
to your home or business
and teach hands-on or demonstration classes on anything from Thai to Tuscan.
Chef Eric's Culinary Classroom
Los Angeles - 310-470-2640
Whether your desire is to take a recreational class, or our multi-week Culinary Chef and Culinary Baking Programs, we provide the service, quality ingredients and equipment you need to learn while making new friends and having fun.
Chef Marcela
San Ysidro - Not Available
Marcela is finally in the process of opening her own cooking school in the San Diego area! Fun classes for people with even minimal experience will tackle such topics as traditional Mexican cuisine, Baja Med cuisine, and baking pastries.
Chef Todd Davies
Novato - 415-328-7377
Chef Todd Davies has over 20 years experience at some of the best-known restaurants in the country. Proven recipes will be used to prepare dishes from beginning to end. Students will enjoy the fruits of their labor when they consume the dishes they've just prepared!
Chef Tony Thomas
Palm Springs - 760-323-4635
All classes are hands-on and generally run about four hours from Noon- 4 PM at the Mizell Senior Center at 480 S. Sunrise Way in Palm Springs.
Chefs, Inc.
Los Angeles - 310-470-2277
Chefs, Inc. is a beautiful, state-of-the-art culinary studio with eight fully equipped kitchen workstations. We welcome everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, to come in, take a class and enjoy the rewards of fine cooking.
Chez Cherie
La Canada, - 818-952-7217
Come to us for cooking classes, field trips to gourmet purveyors, private cooking parties, and corporate culinary team-building programs. Serving individuals and businesses in La Canada, Pasadena, Glendale, and the greater Los Angeles area.
Compassionate Cooks
Oakland - 510-531-2665
Compassionate Cooks is dedicated to empowering people to make informed food choices and to debunking myths about vegetarianism.
Cook It School
Santa Barbara - 805-565-0069
Cook It School has created an exciting culinary adventure through a series of fun and informative classes with a variety of professional chefs and other fun ways for you to learn more about food and wine.
Cook LA
Studio City - 818-760-5157
Cook LA is a unique hands-on cooking class that caters to a myriad of culinary needs. You'll learn how to cook simple, healthy gourmet meals using seasonal, fresh ingredients. Each class includes your own prepping station, your own set of tools and supplies, and ends with a delightful dinner party.
Cook Sonoma
San Rafael - 415-459-0849
Classes will include a fully prepared 3-course meal. Themes will vary from elegant sit down dinners to casual afternoon brunches and lunches. Participants in the class will also learn how to pair foods and wines together to more fully enjoy the experience and the meal.
Creative Cooking 101
Tiburon - 415-377-5729
Creative Cooking 101 has a new concept in learning how to cook. Basic cooking skills are taught in the comforts of your own home. The cooking classes are all creative, nutrional and fun..
Culinary Center of Monterey
Monterey - 831-333-2133
The Culinary Center of Monterey offers an exciting opportunity to experience "hands-on" cooking classes taught by our resident chefs, as well as guest instructors and celebrity chefs.
Culinary Kids
Sonoma - 707-933-0450
Classes are filled with laughter & lots of activities as Young Chefs learn kitchen safety, measuring, good nutrition and table etiquette.
Deb’s Kitchen
Irvine - 562-243-3926
Our goal is for you to have a fun, educational and stress free party! After a brief demonstration and instruction for the recipes, the group will be split into cooking groups and assigned a cooking 'station'. Our professional staff will guide you while you prepare the menu.
Draeger's Cooking School
San Mateo - 650-685-3700
Draeger's Cooking School is practically an institution itself. Headed by Cooking School Director Kathleen Taggart and a very talented staff, we offer year-round classes taught by world-renowned chefs. New classes are offered every 3-4 months.
Draeger's Cooking School
Menlo Park - 650-324-7700
Draeger's Cooking School is practically an institution itself. Headed by Cooking School Director Kathleen Taggart and a very talented staff, we offer year-round classes taught by world-renowned chefs. New classes are offered every 3-4 months.
Epicurean School of Culinary Arts
Los Angeles - 310-659-59902
All workshops are hands-on and open to the general public. Each semester we offer a new line-up of classes. These workshops have limited enrollment. Sign up now so you don't miss out!
Events by Christopher
La Jolla - 858-454-2267
We are currently offering social cooking classes for groups of 15 or more. Learn how to successfully prepare all of your favorite dishes from the comfort of your own home. For your convenience, we also offer cooking classes at our downtown location upon request.
First Class Cooking
San Francisco - Not Available
First Class Cooking offers hands-on cooking classes in a casual, supportive, and fun environment. All classes feature uncomplicated recipes and everything is made from scratch using top-quality, local, and seasonal ingredients.
Food 4 Thought
Los Angeles - 818-712-0035
Sick of the same old birthday parties? Looking for a unique celebration that's really cooking? Mix it up with Chef Stef! Her unforgettable cooking birthday parties are the talk of the town.
Gelson's Cooking Connection
Calabasas - 818-906-5711
Nestled in the hills of Calabasas, California is Gelson's Village, home to Gelson's Cooking Connection, a cooking school dedicated to the fine art of culinary instruction.
Hands On Gourmet
San Francisco - 415-553-8894
Hands On Gourmet is the leading cooking party company in the Bay Area. Our award-winning team takes pride in delivering a fun, dynamic, and mouth-watering event every time.
Happy Trails Catering
Pasadena - 626-796-9526
Cooking Classes at Happy Trails Catering are held at our Pasadena location. Students actually do the cooking with the guidance of a chef instructor and go home with recipes that they can add to their repertoire.
HauteFood
Beverly Hills - 310-467-7759
Need a head-to-toe makeover in the kitchen or just a repertoire update? HauteFood offers private cooking classes tailored to you. Get a group of your favorite people together and learn to cook something fabulous!
Hip Cooks
Los Angeles - 323-222-FOOD
Do you think preparing an elegant meal for friends means slaving for hours in the kitchen? Does the thought of entertaining make you weak in the knees? I'll teach you everything you need to know.
Impressions
Carlsbad - 858-342-3366
If you are interested in learning how to cook better meals or if you're just tired of cooking the "same ole thing", Impressions Catering offers complete cooking demonstrations with Executive Chef Neal Gordon as your private or group chef.
In the Mood for Food
Oakland - 510-393-6096
In the Mood for Food offers gourmet vegetarian cuisine, personal chef services, catering, cooking classes and events. Handcrafted, local and seasonal organic cuisine.
Infusion Culinary
San Diego - 866-388-2665
If you're serious about cuisine and cooking, you've come to the right place. At Infusion Culinary, you'll learn all the fundamental skills for a lifetime of great cooking and entertaining in a matter of weeks.
Italian Chef Deborah Dal Fovo
San Francisco - 415-752-3700
Deborah's step-by-step 'how-to' demonstrations give up-close
and in depth knowledge of professional culinary techniques
while students taste the true flavors of each perfectly prepared
dish in a fun and informal yet instructive atmosphere.
Kids Culinary Adventures
Woodside - 650-440-0241
At KCA... we believe cooking allows small children and teens to emotionally apply academic theories by using everyday Math, Reading, Science and Nutrition through culinary arts.
Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop & Cooking School
Encinitas - 760-942-3228
Cooking classes are a great way to celebrate holidays, birthdays and anniversaries, and are ideal for club meetings and team development seminars. Hands-on classes allow students to help prepare food in class and are approximately 3 hours in length.
La Cachette
Los Angeles - 310-470-4992
Since opening La Cachette (the Hideaway) in 1994, chef/owner Jean Francois Meteigner has earned the reputation as one of the most innovative French chefs in California. Classes are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and includes lunch with wine.
La Jolla Chefs
La Jolla - 516-459-6850
Whether you have no cooking skills, little experience, or just want to cook healthier, Chef Vanda loves to teach the art of cooking. Chef Vanda will come to your kitchen for an educational, interactive demonstration - how to prepare a Mexican Fiesta, Japanese Sushi, Low Carb, or Seafood Carnival.
Le Petit Cookery
Irvine - 949-679-5701
Fun, unique, personalized hands-on cooking parties, cooking classes and afterschool cooking programs for boys and girls of all ages!
Let's Get Cookin'
Westlake Village - 818-991-3940
Let's Get Cookin' is "where recipes come to life." Recipes in a cookbook are only one dimensional, and even watching recipes demonstrated on TV cannot equal the learning experience of a real cooking class.
Parties That Cook!
San Francisco - 888-907-2665
Our unique cooking class parties are perfect for all occasions! Whether you’re interested in cooking up collaboration at a team building activity or planning an extraordinary private event, we will provide you with the ultimate gourmet culinary experience.
Patty James Cooking School & Nutrition Center
Sebastopol - 707-829-6707
A variety of classes are offered such as therapeutic cooking for various health concerns, fun classes with ethnic flair and even trust your instinct classes sans recipes.
Paulding & Company
Emeryville - 510-594-1104
At Paulding & Company we can design your group’s personalized cooking class or cooking party, or you can join one of ours. The kitchen is unique, spacious, and well equipped. It is set up for both our professional catering and for hands-on cooking events and classes.
PREP Kitchen Essentials
Long Beach - 562-430-1217
PREP Kitchen Essentials is a retail store and cooking school in Long Beach, California. We offer cooking classes for the Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County communities.
RB Classic Cooking
Escondido - 858-442-5252
RB Classic Cooking “Make and Take” Cooking Classes offer food lovers extraordinary culinary experiences in our commercial kitchen. Learn skills and techniques used by professionals. The diversity of our classes offers students the opportunity to learn a variety of cooking styles from Baking to BBQ then take it home.
Richie's Chico
Chico - 530-828-8890
Your house, your kitchen, your schedule! Chef Hirshen's specialties (that can become yours!) are Regional Italian, Classic French and Traditional American, all based on ingredients procured from local, sustainable (organic and natural) farmers and producers.
Ruta's Indian Kitchen
Rockridge - 510-655-7882
My cooking classes are hands-on, informative and fun, and include a sit-down dinner. Classes are a virtual tour, as we will work our way through India one region at a time, with a basic and advanced class for each region.
Serendipity SF
San Francisco - 415-948-9521
We took the best elements from what's currently out there in the way of introductory services and added our love of food & cooking and came up with Serendipity!
SF Culinary
San Francisco - 800-975-6844
We’re simple folks with simple (but passionate) beliefs. Three basic principles guide everything we do at SF Culinary: make great food, have fun, and teach folks to make great food while having fun. Simple.
Shallots Cooking School
Vacaville - 707-469-6800
At Shallots Cooking School in Vacaville, we are dedicated to celebrating great food and wine, and to giving our guests the opportunity to learn the pleasures of the Culinary Arts.
Sizzlin' Skillet Productions
Huntington Beach - 714-473-3990
Classes held at your location, on your schedule. Classes for individuals, one-on-one, groups, cooking parties, and cooking for kids.
Smitty’s Creative Cuisine
Olympic Valley - 415-902-8494
We strive to exceed your expectations and are committed to providing exceptional dining experiences. Smitty's tailors menus to your event and wishes. All meals are prepared and served in your home, backyard or venue of choice.
Sur la Table
Carlsbad - 760 635-1316
Sur La Table's cooking programs provide the opportunity for you to become a celebrity in your own kitchen. Instructors include each region's best known as well as internationally renowned chefs willing to share their secrets.
Tapenade School for Cooking
Newport Beach - 949-400-6077
Tapenade cooking classes are conducted in a casual environment, providing for a collaborative learning experience. Music, drinks and wonderfully prepared food are present at all times.
The Chef's Touch
Solvang - 805-686-1040
The Chef’s Touch is a unique cooking, food and people destination devoted to the food lover’s experience, offering cooking classes, cookbooks, cookware and gourmet foods.
The Chez School of Food & Wine
Redondo Beach - 310-316-1566
In our classes you get to eat whatever is made, wine or appropriate beverages are included at the end of the evening, and recipes will be handed out so you can take them home with you!
The Cooking Guy
San Diego - Not Available
What could be more fun - you hang out and relax while we shake up some great drinks and work our way though an awesome lineup of food right in the same red kitchen you see on TV.
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
St. Helena - 800-333-9242
Along with superior facilities, a renowned faculty and a vast selection of innovative year-round programs, Greystone hosts public cooking demonstrations, special events, seminars and travel programs.
The Magical Kitchen
Simi Valley - 805-527-3000
Classes are available for all skill levels and age groups. Cooking classes include a wide range of topics from basics to baking bread, hors d'oeuvres to desserts. Whether you are a “foodie” or a cooking novice, The Magical Kitchen has the perfect culinary experience waiting for you.
The Prickly Pair
Los Angeles - 909-938-8896
In addition to teaching cooking classes at Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table, Jennifer travels to private homes throughout the southland teaching culinary skills and knowledge at interactive Cooking 101 Parties and Personal Cooking Classes.
These Foodish Things
El Sobrante - 510-262-9970
A delightful new and easy way to give a party! Learn to make delicious meals with friends or family, cooking and eating together. Improve your culinary skills in the comfort of your own home. Choose from a wide variety of menus, mix and match or have a theme meal.
Viva Cucina
Danville - 925-820-6612
Viva Cucina classes are great for people who enjoy cooking and want to learn how to "cook outside the box", as well as for the beginner cooks who want to feel at ease cooking and entertaining.
Wendy Brodie
Carmel - 831-626-9000
Choose from one of several intimately designed cooking demonstrations in Chef Wendy's own private exhibition kitchen. Unique lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on participation make this a truly memorable and inviting opportunity.
What's Cooking
San Rafael - 415-342-4353
What's Cooking offers a variety of classes for children and their families that promote healthy and seasonal eating. Join us for a class and have fun while learning something too!
William-Sonoma Cooking Classes at La Cumbre Plaza
Santa Barbara - 805-569-6913
Join one of our cooking classes and learn the latest techniques for preparing a selection of innovative recipes. Classes are held on Mondays from 6:00 to 8:00pm unless otherwise noted.
Zov's Bistro
St. Tustin - 714-838-8855
Vegetarian cuisine with Middle Eastern and European influences. The adjacent bakery/cafe offers informal dining and take-out items. In addition, Zov's offers full-service catering, banquet facilities, and a cooking classes.
