The 8 Best New York City Cooking Classes of 2020

Best Overall: International Culinary Center

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If you're seriously looking to raise your cooking game, the one-day classes at the International Culinary Center are an ideal choice. Not only will you learn in the space where Bobby Flay, David Chang, and Christina Tosi graduated, but you'll gain an in-depth knowledge of different types of cuisine in hands-on classes.

Under the guidance of successful chefs, you’ll learn to make multiple dishes from start to finish on your own. There’s a class for whatever you desire, including Mexican seafood dishes, handmade pasta, the basics of sushi, handmade doughnuts and fritters, chocolate truffles and treats, and even one on how to make your own New York-style bagels. If you have dietary restrictions, the International Culinary Center even offers a gluten-free baking course catered to your needs.

Not in the mood for food? The International Culinary Center has wine classes where you can learn how to accurately describe its flavors.

Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, you’ll walk away from these classes with some serious new skills. Each class typically costs $195 per person and is four hours long.

Best for Beginners: City Cooking West End

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Does it ever feel like cooking is a chore? Do you skip over recipes that require you to cut up multiple vegetables just because that step alone will take you an hour? One of the most important skills in cooking is learning how to properly wield a knife. Knowing how to chop, dice, and julienne with confidence will cut your prep time in half.

City Cooking West End offers a two-hour Knife Skills 101 class taught by professional chefs with years of restaurant experience. You’ll learn about different types of knives and proper cutting techniques, all while you help prepare a mouthwatering meal to enjoy at the end of class. 

Once you've practiced and mastered the techniques learned in the 101 course, the school also offers a 102 class for more advanced cutting techniques, so you can continue your journey in conquering the kitchen. Classes for Knife Skills 101 start at $95.

Best for Pizza Lovers: Pizza School NYC

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There’s nothing like a cheesy, saucy slice of pizza in New York City. The expert pizzaiolo at Pizza School NYC will teach you everything you need to know in order to make pizza from scratch.

In the four-hour workshop, you'll learn how to make homemade dough, homemade sauce, and how to prep toppings—with both meat and vegetarian options. You’ll also gain the proper technique for mixing and stretching the dough, so you can make the perfect, even crust. The instructors, who are super passionate about all things pizza, will even show you how to get the most out of your home oven for that restaurant-quality crunch.

The great thing about this class is that you have the option to work with a partner as a team, so it’s a fun opportunity to bond—and an excuse to make pizza at home with friends. You’ll be able to prep four pizzas, eat some at the end of the class, and take the rest home with you.

While drinks aren’t included, you can buy soda, wine, and beer on-site to pair with your finished pies.

There's also the option to buy reasonably priced pizza kits that contain everything you need to continue honing your skills at home. 

Best for Vegans: Institute of Culinary Education

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Whether you’re fully plant-based or just trying to add more plant-based dishes to your repertoire, the esteemed Institute of Culinary Education has what you need. The school churns out serious chefs but also has a great recreational program.

The Institute of Culinary Education acquired Natural Gourmet Institute, which is known for its plant-based, health-supportive cooking programs, so they know what they are talking about when it comes to vegan cuisine. You can filter courses on the institute's website under the “Health Supportive” tab, and find classes, including how to make vegan mozzarella, how to make vegan burgers, and how to make dishes for a vegan dinner party.

One standout is the four-hour Plant-Based Weeknight Dinners course that teaches you how to make an array of simple, but delicious dishes that both vegans and meat-eaters will love. Sample menu items include hearty tempeh-mushroom bolognese, classic chana masala, warm farro salad with roasted sweet potatoes, massaman curry with tofu and vegetables, fried brown rice with edamame, kimchi and baked tofu, and refried beans and baked plantains with guacamole. Tuition for this course is priced at $125 per person.

Best for Entertaining: Murray’s Cheese

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If your goal is to become the ultimate host, you’ve got to get your cheese plate game on point. A stop at the mecca of the delicious food, Murray’s Cheese, is an absolute must. Cheese enthusiasts will adore the array of classes at Murray's, with options for entertaining, as well as learning how to make your own cheese at home.

For entertaining, the hour-and-a-half cheese pairing classes are a standout. You’ll sample red, white, and dessert wines from around the world, and learn how to pair them with the right cheeses so that the flavors are enhanced. The class also teaches the fundamentals of serving different types of cheeses.

In addition to their general wine and cheese pairing class, Murray's also offers more specific, regional classes on Italian, French, and Mediterranean wine and cheese. And if you’re not a fan of wine? No worries. They’ve got you covered with a class on beer and cheese pairing.

For those looking for more of an intensive learning experience, Murray's offers a Boot Camp for cheese lovers where they can spend a weekend learning about cheese. Class prices start at $60 and increase from there. Here’s to being a great host without getting your hands—or kitchen—dirty.

Best for Date Night: Eataly

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Looking for a special night on the town? Eataly's classes are a great option for a date night that includes a luxurious evening of dinner and wine. In the food chain's two-hour classes, you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta dough and how to make fillings for those little pillows of perfection. Choose from classes like hands-on Italian desserts, baked winter pastas, a Neopolitan pizza workshop, and more.

With Eataly being the home of all things Italian, you’ll get expert instruction that will help you continue making fresh pasta at home. Much of the restaurant chain's classes are demonstration-based, so you’ll get to relax and observe while the instructor does the hard work—which also means no chance for disagreements between you and your date.

Then comes the fun part: You get to shape and fill the pasta you handcrafted. The class will end with you both enjoying two courses that are expertly paired with complimentary wine. It’s a stress-free, useful class that’s sure to leave you with a full belly and a nice buzz. Classes start at $65 per person and increase from there.

Best for Cultural Exploration: League of Kitchens

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Nothing beats eating grandma’s food, so why not learn to cook with grandmas from around the world? At League of Kitchens, that’s exactly what you get to do.

Grandmas from Iraq, Iran, Uzbekistan, Greece, Japan and more teach you how to make authentic dishes from their countries of origin. It's not only a great way to learn about different cultures, but an exciting opportunity to add new dishes to your home-cooking routine. Plus, you'll get to learn from grandmas in their own homes.

There are four- to five-hour immersion workshops that include a small lunch, three hours of hands-on instruction, a beverage, a full, final meal, recipes, and a shopping list to take home with you. There are also shorter classes with one-and-a-half-hour hands-on instruction and one light meal.

On League of Kitchens' website, you’ll find information about the grandmas teaching each course. It’s an awesome chance to get to know and support grandmas from different cultures—or maybe get a taste of your own roots. Not to mention, it's also the perfect place to meet other students who have a taste for world cuisine, just like you. Classes start at $135 per person and increase from there.