School may be out for the summer, but food-focused classes are in session now and throughout the year. So, whether you’re looking to perfect your knife skills, learn the art of pairing foods and drinks or simply seeking an indoor activity to pass these dog days of summer, we’ve got you covered.
Check out these metro Phoenix spots to find classes and events focused on cooking, eating and drinking well.
Check out these metro Phoenix spots to find classes and events focused on cooking, eating and drinking well.
Classic Cooking Academy
10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, ScottsdaleClassic Cooking Academy has several series, with topics ranging from global cuisine to pastry. You can even up your entertaining game with classes focused on Sunday brunch or a five-course wine dinner. Upcoming offerings include classes on artisan bread and cheese, pizza making, Mediterranean cuisine and pasta, along with classes for teens and kids.Tracy Dempsey Originals
1325 W. University Drive, TempeIn addition to crafting sweet and savory delights at her Tempe shop, chef and owner Tracy Dempsey also offers a regular rotation of classes and events. Recent classes have covered how to make ice cream, scones and gnocchi, among other items. Upcoming events include a savory pastry cooking demo, a wine tasting and crafting activities paired with treats from Dempsey.
L’Academie Baking & Cooking School
3244 E. Guadalupe Road, GilbertL’Academie Baking & Cooking School can help you expand your kitchen repertoire. Novices can get started with 101 classes that cover cooking basics and recipes to host a wine party at home. But if you’re ready to try something next-level like cake decorating, there’s a class for that, too. Other course options cover sushi making, sourdough, croissants and date night themes that explore cuisine in far-flung locations such as Greece and Spain.
Bone Haus Brewing
14825 E. Shea Blvd #101, Fountain HillsJoin certified cicerone and historian Rachel Benkowski on the second Tuesday of each month at the Fountain Hills brewery Bone Haus for Beer School. While the content of every class is different, the format stays the same. Benkowski selects and explains four beer styles over a flight of five-ounce pours crafted by Bone Haus, highlighting each brew's history and elements of its style.
Mix Cooking School
4995 S. Alma School Road, Chandler Mix Cooking School offers in-person cooking and baking classes for home cooks young and old. There's a robust lineup of cookie classes, where you can learn to bake everything from sugar cookies to macarons, plus a selection of pasta classes, so you can try your hand at fresh pasta with pesto, gnocchi and more. Upcoming classes also explore cuisines including New Orleans-style southern comforts, Spanish tapas and Greek eats.
The Canal Club
4925 N. Scottsdale Road, ScottsdaleThe Cuban-inspired eatery at The Scott Resort & Spa has a lively rotation of spirits tastings and pairing dinners for foodies who want to take a deep dive into how these tipples are made and best play with food. The Canal Club’s Bar Cart Series is a four-course experience that showcases a specific maker, ranging from homegrown heroes such as Whiskey Del Bac and Wren House Brewing Co. to broader events that highlight a unique type of spirit or wine. The Canal Club also hosts Rum Society, an event tasting and exploring a different rum maker each month, and Angel's Share Social Club, which features different spirits, such as mezcal, through tasting, crafting a signature cocktail and sharing paired snacks.
Sweet Basil Cooking School
8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, #c-4, ScottsdaleSweet Basil Cooking School offers both cooking classes and demonstrations. There's an eclectic mix of classes that range from cuisine that covers local desert ingredients to global cookery from Thailand or Italy, to more playful courses that cover cowboy food, grilling on a stick and freezer meals. The culinary school has cooks of all ages in mind, from summer camps for kids to date nights for adults.Shea Cheese
10880 N. 32nd St., #19Have you ever wondered how to pair different cheeses or create an Instgram-worthy grazing board? North Phoenix shop Shea Cheese has you covered thanks to a regular rotation of events, including an upcoming class on marinating cheeses. And, if connecting with fellow cheeseheads is more your thing, the shop also regularly curates social events, including a hike, brunch series and Silent Book Club.
Sur La Table
7122 E. Greenway Pkwy., ScottsdaleSur La Table at Kierland Commons has cooking classes in a wide range of subjects, from knife skills to Korean barbecue. Upcoming classes have a date-night theme and offer menu items from France, Italy and Morocco. Or you can learn to make dim sum cart options, a steak dinner or baked British classics.
Whining Pig Enterprises Operating Owner and Beverage Director Kyla Hein often hosts mixology demos at the group's bars.
Courtesy of Kyla Hein
Pigtails
1 E. Washington St., #12821001 N. Tatum Blvd., #46-1405Pigtails' beverage director Kyla Hein often shares her knowledge of all things shaken and stirred with amateur bartenders. You'll generally find these classes at Pigtails, but they are occasionally offered at sibling bars Coabana and Rough Rider. The classes change regularly, but this summer you can learn more about tiki cocktails from Hein and the Pigtails team.
