As informative as cookbooks and online recipes may be, nothing beats the hands-on instruction of a seasoned chef. Rather than sneak into the kitchen of your favorite restaurant to steal its tricks and recipes, visit one of St. Louis’ many cooking schools, where the chefs gladly share their expertise. You’ll leave with a better grasp of your cleaver—and the culinary arts.
Kitchen Conservatory
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8021 Clayton, 314-862-2665, kitchenconservatory.com
Make your boldest culinary ambitions a reality at Kitchen Conservatory. With more than 200 respected chefs teaching there, you can choose from classes such as Okie Dokie Gnocchi, For Frying Out Loud, and Tart-Throb. “We cover the gamut of delicious food,” says owner Anne Cori. From basic classes for beginners to technique classes for advanced students looking to improve their béarnaise, Kitchen Conservatory offers something for any home chef. Classes run from $45 to $95 per person, up to $275 to participate in a series of four classes, or up to $170 per couple for a date-night cooking lesson.
Dierbergs School of Cooking
Multiple locations, 636-812-1336, dierbergs.com/school.aspx
Advanced and amateur cooks alike are welcome at any of Dierbergs’ six course locations. Learn how to innovatively use basic spices and oils, or how to produce a meal with only five ingredients. Some of Dierbergs’ recent classes have included Ditch the Drive-Thru Burger Night, Let’s Do Brunch–Sunday Funday, and Skip the Chinese Take-Out. Classes run from $18 to $50, or up to $80 for a couple.
Fischer’s School of Cake Decorating, Candy Making & Supply
620 Charbonier, 314-921-3145, fischerscakeandcandy.com
Indulge your sweet tooth and learn a new skill. Topics include Flowers & Cake Design, 3D Baby Animals, and Ladies Accessories (focusing on shoe, purse, and makeup cakes). Classes run from $10 to $35, or you can take three intro courses for $90.
Schnucks Cooks Cooking School
12332 Manchester, Des Peres, 314-909-1704, schnuckscooks.com
Learn a new recipe in an hour through the Learn at Lunch series, or sign up for a longer session after work. The low student–teacher ratio (a maximum of eight students per chef) guarantees that you’ll receive personal attention. An added bonus: Sommeliers pair every recipe with the perfect wine, so students can sip while they cook. Classes run from $15 to $45.
Sallie’s Cake & Candy Supplies
14340 Manchester, 636-394-3030, salliesonline.com
Learn the tricks of skillfully decorating cookies, cakes, and cupcakes or making your own candy. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Each course includes three classes. Beginner cake decorating runs $60.
Le Cordon Bleu’s MasterChef Cooking Classes
7898 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., St. Peters, 636-696-4850, www.chefs.com/MasterChefClasses/StLouis.aspx
Known for its professional cooking courses, Le Cordon Bleu now offers MasterChef classes to enthusiasts who don’t want to cook for a living. Learn how to make a variety of dishes in classes such as Pizza from Scratch, A Taste of Spain, and Glorious Cupcakes. Classes are $99 for one course, $479 for six, $1,499 for 24, or $2,699 for a year (48 courses).
Whole Foods Market
1160 Town & Country Crossing, 636-527-1160, wholefoodsmarket.com
Learn how to cook a nutritious and flavorful meal at this mecca of healthy food. The store offers a variety of health-oriented classes, with recent offerings including All Things Kale, Eating for Beauty, and Easy Nourishing Breakfasts. Bonus: You’ll have the chance to become familiar with some of the store’s more esoteric offerings. Classes run from $15 to $25, with some multi-session classes for $35.
PuraVegan Cafe
307 Belt, 314-932-5144, puravegan.net
PuraVegan offers nutrition and raw-foods classes using plant-based and gluten-free ingredients. Classes have included Raw Food Basics, Healthy Vegan 101, and Lunch & Learn! Also in the mix are yoga and meditation classes. And owner Monica Stoutenborough often tries to incorporate a mini nutrition lesson into her classes. She explains why certain foods are healthy and how and where to buy a number of ingredients. Classes run from $15 to $55.
Queen’s Cuisine
Multiple locations, 618-205-6188, qconline.us
Jane Muscroft, a native of Great Britain, says she’s here to dispel myths about bad British food, “one class at a time.” Whatever your wish, she will cater a course to your liking. Sample classes: Pub Grub, Indian BBQ, and Traditional English Desserts. Classes run from $15 for one hour to $25 for two hours.
ABC Chefs Cooking Academy
16105 Swingley Ridge, 636-543-8650, abcchefsacademy.com
Get your offspring into the kitchen at a tender age and convince them to start cooking for you. Begin with Mommy and Me for 2- to 5-year-olds and proceed onward. Six classes run from $125 on up.
Kemper Center for Home Gardening Kitchen
4344 Shaw, 314-477-5140, mobot.org
The Missouri Botanical Garden teaches you how to cook what you grow. Classes cover everything from working with your garden’s harvest to making appetizers with chef Vicki Bensinger, cooking Chinese cuisine with Theresa Liu, and creating desserts with chocolatier Brian Pelletier. The classes cost $35 for members, $42 for nonmembers.
