
Cooking is an essential life skill that everyone should have some practice with. Why not take your dishes to the next level by learning from the pros? Here are just a few of the many places you can go to learn cooking techniques from some of Ohio's top chefs.
8613 Mayfield Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026
The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking is one of the most renowned culinary institutions in Northeast Ohio. The crown jewel of the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute, this school offers classes for laypeople as well as up-and-coming professional chefs. Some are even taught by Paganini herself!
The school's curriculum includes a set of intensive four-week classes to teach basic techniques like knife skills, grilling, and sauce-making—perfect for those just starting out in the kitchen. There are also a variety of standalone classes available to help you brush up on your execution of specific dishes, including ravioli, ragout, and various surf and turf plates.
4461 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
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Ever looked up a recipe for a particular dish and immediately regretted it when you saw what the instructions looked like? Stir Studio Kitchen is all about teaching kitchen novices to master specific meals that they might otherwise find intimidating. Each course is 2-3 hours long, and most take place in the evening.
The classes cover dishes from a wide range of cuisines, including everything from chicken pot pie with citrus poppyseed salad to homemade naan with chana masala and palak paneer. Many of their classes include dishes that can be made vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Just let them know in advance so they can make sure they have the right ingredients on hand!
250 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
The Mix is Columbus State Community College's official culinary branch. All of this acclaimed Columbus institution's classes are taught by experienced chefs, many of whom have also published well-known cookbooks and food columns.
These hands-on courses run for about 2 hours each. Most of them teach you how to cook a single dish, such as Beef Wellington, Spanish paella, and French crepes. Others cover a few dishes related to a central theme, such as their Mardi Gras Celebration class in late February.
3674 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214
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Cooking doesn't have to be a high-stakes passion pursuit to be enjoyable. The folks at The Seasoned Farmhouse call their organization a recreational cooking school, a term they use to signpost their more relaxed cooking philosophy. The classes are still taught by professional chefs, but there's no pressure—it's all just for fun.
Classes come in both hands-on and demonstration formats and are available evenings and afternoons. Whether you're interested in making hearty favorites like homemade bagels or fancy dishes like Beef Wellington, you're sure to find a course that will teach you what you need to know.
11 Buttles Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
The Quinci Emporium began as a gourmet food store when it first opened a few years back. Now, the company offers cooking classes in addition to its retail operations. You can take a 2- to 3-hour course with chef Deborah Quinci or a member of her team on most days of the week.
The dishes covered in these classes range from savory classics like Tortellini with Broth and Lasagna Bolognese to sweet treats like cookies and biscotti. All recipes use the store's own fresh ingredients, including wines, meats, cheeses, pasta, and breads.
1731 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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You don't have to be a kitchen whiz to benefit from cooking instruction. Tablespoon Cooking Co. strives to make cooking classes accessible to people of all skill levels, including those who rarely cook for themselves.
Beginners and advanced home cooks alike can sign up to learn how to make a variety of delicious dishes, from shrimp paella to pasta Bolognese with fresh noodles. The company also holds mixology classes at their in-house bar for anyone who wants to take their home happy hours to the next level. They even carry a selection of ingredients and equipment used in their classes, making it easy for you to pick up exactly what you need to recreate your lessons at home.
1719 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Want to experience a range of flavors you may never have tasted before? Afromeals is the place to learn how to make the earthy, spicy dishes of African and Caribbean cuisine in your own kitchen.
Run by executive chef Gabi Odebode and her team of prep chefs, this culinary school will teach you how to prepare Afro-Caribbean staples like Jollof rice, Chakalaka, and Jerk chicken. You'll learn more about the ingredients, textures, and flavor profiles that define this type of cuisine and expand your culinary horizons.
915 E. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH 45206
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If you're like many Americans, you might find yourself throwing out almost as much food as you eat. La Soupe is a non-profit organization on a mission to eliminate food waste from Cincinnati households. As part of this mission, they offer cooking classes to illustrate what you can do with the food you would usually throw away.
Most of the recipes taught in their classes are for soups, stews, and other hearty dishes that can be made with almost any ingredients. These classes are a great fit for people trying to cut down on their grocery spending—and these days, who isn't?
It's never too late to learn a new recipe or cooking technique. What new dishes will you learn to whip up this year?