The 5 Best Cooking Classes in the USA

1.New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,000 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43Our pick

At the New Orleans School of Cooking, a local chef such as Lynn, Eric, Vivian, or Austin prepares gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and other Louisiana favorites while sharing food lore and local stories. You watch rather than cook, then enjoy a full meal with beer, iced tea, coffee, and recipes to take home.

“This is not a small group!!! 48 people. Not what I was expecting. I should have known from the price. The chef was great and responsive, however sometimes hard to hear with rude guests that wanted to have their own conversations.”

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2.New Orleans Hands-On Cooking Class with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

At the New Orleans School of Cooking on St. Louis Street, you’ll prepare a Louisiana meal with a professional chef, then sit down to eat it with wine, Abita beer, or soft drinks. Classes hold up to 10 people and may feature Chef Eric, Austin, Cindy, Ricardo, Vivian, or another instructor.

“Chef Eric was unbelievable! He was patient, kind, and informative. The class was broken up into groups of ten. The AM session was easy enough, but when it wasn’t Chef was there to assist. Food was delicious!”

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3.Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 948 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Chef Forrest Parker leads a 90-minute walk from the Pineapple Fountain through Charleston’s historic district, linking architecture, slavery, crops, and Lowcountry cooking. The tour ends at a cozy bistro with a cooking demonstration, three-course lunch, wine pairings, and recipes to take home.

“Great tour and history lesson. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Chef Parker made the most delicious food. Company was great and I would highly recommend”

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4.Cajun and Creole Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 730 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $40Best value

At the New Orleans School of Cooking in a restored French Quarter molasses warehouse, an English-speaking chef such as Lynn, Austin, Eric, or Dianne prepares gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and other Louisiana staples while sharing food lore and local history. You eat the finished dishes, receive recipes, and get a store coupon.

“We learned a lot about local cooking. Got to taste the food that she demonstrated and bought things that would help us cool at home.”

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5.Hands-on Cajun Roux Cooking Class in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 356 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $163

At the Mardi Gras School of Cooking, you’ll spend about three hours making chicken and andouille gumbo, shrimp étouffée, and bananas Foster with a local chef. The class is hands-on, capped at 10 people, includes wine or soda, and ends with the meal you helped prepare.

“Very enlightening and memorable experience. Learned a lot. Mark was very informative. Will come back”

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