September 2008

Are you looking for cooking classes in Phoenix, Arizona? You’ve come to the right place!

I love both taking and giving cooking classes.

I took my first one back in California more than 20 years ago and I have never stopped.

I still remember it like it was yesterday.

It was with John Phillip Carroll, author of the California the Beautiful cookbook.

My last major culinary learning adventure was a five day retreat in Sedona, Arizona that I attended with my sister in April.

Diane Carlson, Founder of The Conscious Gourmet, taught us to prepare all kinds of dishes – breakfasts, soups, salads, appetizers, main courses, and desserts using wholesome, natural ingredients.

We worked with expellar pressed oils, sea vegetables, and natural sugar substitutes like agave, rice syrup, and maple sugar.

Cooking Classes Arizona

Cooking Classes Arizona

It was a total mind-body-spirit immersion that included yoga and taught us how to fully experience food and its effects.

We left this culinary retreat with a notebook full of information and delicious recipes.

That was more than five months ago and my desire to take another class is back.

Fortunately there are lots of cooking classes here in Phoenix, Scottsdale and throughout Arizona, to indulge my culinary curiosity.

If you are like me and love taking cooking classes or are looking for a fun way to get more comfortable in the kitchen, here are a few cooking class options to check out:

Cooking Classes – Phoenix, Arizona

Les Gourmettes (Central Phoenix) is a home-based cooking school founded by cookbook writer, Barb Fenzl, more than 25 years ago with an impressive list of guest instructors. In the past I have taken great cooking classes with Deborah Madison and Joanne Weir. This year’s fall/winter roster includes Robert McGrath, Chris Bianco, Sheila Lukins, and Nick Malgieri.

Les Petites Gourmettes (Scottsdale) is a home-based cooking school exclusively for children ages 8-18 that offers classes during summer breaks.

Love’n the Kitchen (North Phoenix)  is a home-based cooking school that offers a range of culinary classes including by invitation only sessions with Valley VIP Chefs.

Lucy’s Healthy Marketplace – Lucy’s is a fun coffee shop, restaurant and health food emporium in Central Phoenix that offers cooking classes Sunday afternoons.

Sur La Table (North Scottsdale) This great cooking store has a fully equipped kitchen where a wide array of both demonstration and participation classes are offered several days a week.

Sweet Basil Gourmet (10749 Scottsdale Road) This kitchenware and cooking school was the first place I took a cooking class after moving to Phoenix back in 1998. Through the years I’ve taken many classes from soups and stews to breads and desserts and everything in between. You can even sign up for a holiday cookie class where in 2 1/2 hours you make 14 varieties of cookies and leave with 10-12 dozen to serve and share.

Williams Sonoma (Biltmore Fashion Park, Phoenix) Demonstration cooking classes on a wide variety of topics are offered Sundays at 11:00 and at other times during the week. Call the store to get more details and reserve your spot since space is limited.

More Great Places to Find Cooking Classes

Where else can you find a cooking class to take? It’s worth checking out the roster at the community college(s) in your area. Many have culinary programs and community enrichment classes. Grocery stores, cooking product stores and health food stores are more good places to check, as are restaurants. And many passionate home cooks like me, offer ongoing cooking classes in their homes.

A great resource for locating recreational cooking classes and cooking vacations throughout the world is the  Shawguides site.

I also offer small home-based cooking classes in Central Phoenix that are designed designed for the home cook who wants learn to make simple and delicious food easily and effortlessly.

{ 2 comments }

I’ve been practicing various styles of yoga here in Phoenix for more than ten years.

Several years ago my sister convinced me to try hot yoga so I did but never went back.

The instructor was demeaning and in my opinion reckless when he stood and bounced on my sister’s thighs during supta vajrasana.

As a person who wilts in extreme heat, prefers freedom to structure, and works to avoid unnecessary injury, Bikram Yoga did not resonate with me.

Recently, I’ve had the urge to give Bikram Yoga another go. Many people I admire, including Wayne Dyer, praise its positive effects.

Continue reading

{ 2 comments }

Limoncello Cheesecake Squares

September 8, 2008

I love cheesecake and limoncello, the wonderful lemon liqueur from Southern Italy, so when I came across a recipe for limoncello cheesecake squares in Giada De laurentiss’ Giada’s Family Dinners cookbook it sounded like a match made in heaven for our lemon dessert loving family. With a half bottle of limoncello in the freezer and [...]

Read the Full Article →

Scottsdale & Phoenix Yoga Teacher Training Programs

September 5, 2008

Are you thinking about becoming a yoga teacher or expanding your understanding with advanced studies? If you live in Phoenix or Scottsdale you are in luck. There are several Yoga Alliance registered Yoga Teacher Training Programs to chose from. But first, how do you choose the yoga teacher training program that’s right for you? There [...]

Read the Full Article →

September is National Yoga Month

September 3, 2008

September is National Yoga Month. To celebrate and promote yoga and healthy living, A 10 City Yoga Festival Tour is being held throughout the US and Canada with many of the top names in Yoga – Shiva Rea, Larry Payne, Timothy McCall – participating. All proceeds from Yoga Month and Yoga Health Festivals will benefit [...]

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Read the Full Article →