The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7 hands-on classes to get you cooking for the holidays
With the holiday season in full swing, you might be in need of some new culinary inspiration for the forthcoming parties, gatherings and special meals in the weeks ahead. Whether you’re an expert cook or a novice in the kitchen, these cooking classes scattered across metro Atlanta’s neighborhoods will give you tips and tricks to impress your guests just in time for the holidays.
Vino Venue
Located just outside the Perimeter in Dunwoody, Vino Venue is a unique destination that’s part wine bar, part wine shop, part restaurant and part cooking school. They offer a host of wine and cooking classes, tastings and dinners. Arrive a little early before your cooking class to sample some premium wines from their enomatic machines, then uncork your inner chef inside their state-of-the-art kitchen in the back. A professional chef offers instruction while you get handson cooking a multicourse meal with wine pairings. They offer a wide variety of classes every month throughout the year, covering a range of various cuisines. In December, don’t miss the Gingerbread House Decorating Party for All Ages classes ($39 each) on
Dec. 9 at noon and 3 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. Note: Class sizes are limited and may sell out quickly. 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, 770-668-0435, vinovenue.com.
Big Green Egg Culinary Center
Beginning cooks and grill masters alike will be intrigued by the cooking classes offered at the Big Green Egg Culinary Center in Doraville. Holidaythemed classes this December range from $45-$85 and span everything from pie making to cooking Hanukah and Christmas dinners on your Big Green Egg. Their Make and Take classes are a fun way to cook up gifts for giving. On Dec. 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., sign up for the “Make and Take: EGGmade Gifts for the Holidays” class ($45) to create herb blends perfect for this season’s pork and poultry. You’ll be making an ancho coffee rub for beef, a smoky all-purpose seasoning and a sweet heat rub ideal for southern barbecue. In addition to the rubs, you’ll take home cold smoked nuts and salts. Check out the full class schedule at biggreenegg.com/culinarycenter. 3786 DeKalb Technology Parkway, Atlanta.
The Cook’s Warehouse
With locations in town, Chamblee and East Cobb, The Cook’s Warehouse is a retail store offering gourmet cookware and professional cutlery in addition to a plethora of cooking classes that include menu recipes to take home, samples of the food prepared and complimentary beverages. Students also get a 10 percent discount off in-store purchases (excluding alcohol) before and after class that same day in case you want to bring some tools of the trade home with you. Classes vary by location, but you can expect to find plenty of holiday-focused options in the lineup for December. Learn how to whip up a batch of holiday appetizers (6:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 at East Cobb, $79) or get new ideas for vegetarian main dishes for the holidays (6:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Peachtree Station, $69). They’re also offering classes on dinner parties, gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, cakes, regional feasts from around the globe and even some kid-friendly courses. We think this class looks really fun too: Elegant Appetizers for New Year’s Hands-On class ($69) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the East Cobb location. Peruse the full schedule of classes and sign up at cookswarehouse.com. For class info, call 800-499-0996. Various locations, cookswarehouse.com.
Salud! Cooking School at Whole Foods
Sharpen your kitchen skills or just have a fun night out with Salud! Cooking School, which is offered inside Whole Foods Market in Johns Creek and Whole Foods Market at Avalon in Alpharetta. Salud! offers themed classes like Kids Cook, Girls’ Night Out, Families Cook and Date Night, as well as several holiday specials in December. At Johns Creek, try the Vegetarian Holiday Sides class on Dec. 7, Girls’ Night Out Holiday Wine & Appetizer Favorites on Dec. 8, Christmas in Charleston on Dec. 15 or the Kids Cook Holiday Cookie Workshop on Dec. 16, among many others. There’s also a Mommy & Me Holiday Cookies for Tots class from 10-11 a.m. on Dec. 20 (ages 3-5 and parent) for just $19. For more info, visit wholefoodsmarket. com/salud. 5945 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek, 770-4423354 x 1; 2800 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 770442-3354 x2. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/salud.
Williams-Sonoma
Boasting numerous locations across metro Atlanta (including Buford at the Mall of Georgia and Norcross), Williams-Sonoma hosts technique and cooking classes instore throughout the year. On Dec. 7 from 6:30-8 p.m., visit participating stores for the Christmas Cookie Exchange ($30, includes Cookie Gift Set). You’ll get recipes from some of the brand’s favorite baking bloggers — including Joy the Baker and Gaby Dalkin — plus tips for hosting a cookie exchange party in your home. Call your local store for more details and additional classes offered. Find your store at williamssonoma.com.
Sur La Table
With locations in town at Phipps Plaza and in Alpharetta at North Point Mall, retail store Sur La Table is serving up an array of holiday-centered classes this December. You might want to take note of the Cookie Decorating Workshop on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., where you’ll learn simple techniques for transforming icing and sugar cookies into edible art. Or try the Decadent Holiday Chocolates class on Dec. 10 from 9-11:30 a.m., where you’ll be making chocolate peppermint bark with pistachios, dark chocolate and cranberry biscotti, salted chocolate caramels and rum-raisin dark chocolate truffles. Both classes are offered at Phipps and North Point for $69 each. Check out more classes at surlatable.com. 1082 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, 678-2800090; 3500 Peachtree Road, Suite 1035 Atlanta, 404-9733375. www.surlatable.com.
Publix Apron’s Cooking School
The only Publix Apron’s Cooking School in the state of Georgia is located in Alpharetta, where you can participate in everything from techniques classes and handson cooking to demonstrations, kid and teen classes, and more. Coming up on Dec. 9 (10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.), the Gingerbread Houses class ($60) allows you and your kids (up to three children) to decorate your own gingerbread house without messing up your kitchen at home. Kids should be at least 4 years old, and one adult is required for each family group. Or on Dec. 7 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., prepare for hosting with the Awesome Holiday Hors d’oeuvre Party class ($60), which will teach you how to make pimento cheese and bacon crostini; brie stuffed figs with pomegranate; mini smoked salmon croque monsieur; pecan tassies; mini almond-ginger cheesecakes. For additional classes on the schedule, visit publix.com/ recipes-planning/apronscooking-schools/alpharetta/ classes. 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta, 770-7518560.