Do you dream of owning a restaurant or food truck someday? Join Chef John Pitblado for five intense days of working the line! You'll pick up knife skills, plating, how to fry, cook a perfect burger and make every component from scratch.

Day 1: KNIFE SKILLS - The Taco Truck Menu

Hone your knife skills while making a menu fit for a taco truck. You'll make a Tomato Mango Salsa, Salsa Verde, Handmade Tortillas, Puff Beef Tacos and Pepitas Polverones.

Day 2:  EGG COOKERY - The Ultimate Brunch

Break out the griddle- you're making brunch! Learn to fry, poach and scramble your way to diner favorites. You'll make homemade English Muffins, Egg Benedicts with Roasted Asparagus, Hollandaise Sauce, Sour Cream Berry Muffins.

DAY 3:  PIZZAS & DOUGHS

Mangia! Time to toss pizza and make your own cheeses. You'll make a New York style White Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Italian Chopped Salad, Calzones.

DAY 4:  PASTAS & SAUCES

Knead, roll and shape your own fresh pasta dough and master three sauces. You'll make pappardelle with tomato, olives and caper sauce, ravioli with basil cream sauce and a seasonal pesto.

DAY 5: THE ARTISANAL BURGER

Learn how to grind your own meats, make your buns from scratch (and condiments, too!). Quick pickling will be covered as well.

Do you dream of owning a restaurant or food truck someday? Join Chef John Pitblado for five intense days of working the line! You'll pick up knife skills, plating, how to fry, cook a perfect burger and make every component from scratch.

Day 1: KNIFE SKILLS - The Taco Truck Menu

Hone your knife skills while making a menu fit for a taco truck. You'll make a Tomato Mango Salsa, Salsa Verde, Handmade Tortillas, Puff Beef Tacos and Pepitas Polverones.

Day 2:  EGG COOKERY - The Ultimate Brunch

Break out the griddle- you're making brunch! Learn to fry, poach and scramble your way to diner favorites. You'll make homemade English Muffins, Egg Benedicts with Roasted Asparagus, Hollandaise Sauce, Sour Cream Berry Muffins.

DAY 3:  PIZZAS & DOUGHS

Mangia! Time to toss pizza and make your own cheeses. You'll make a New York style White Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Italian Chopped Salad, Calzones.

DAY 4:  PASTAS & SAUCES

Knead, roll and shape your own fresh pasta dough and master three sauces. You'll make pappardelle with tomato, olives and caper sauce, ravioli with basil cream sauce and a seasonal pesto.

DAY 5: THE ARTISANAL BURGER

Learn how to grind your own meats, make your buns from scratch (and condiments, too!). Quick pickling will be covered as well.

Do you dream of owning a bakery someday? Join us for four intense days of mixing, piping and decorating.

Day 1 (MONDAY): CREAM PUFFS & ECLAIRS

Day 2(TUESDAY): SEASONAL FRUIT PIES

DAY 3 (WEDNESDAY):  HOMEMADE BREADS

DAY 4: (THURSDAY) FRENCH MACARONS

DAY 5: (FRIDAY) CAKES & CUPCAKES

Do you dream of owning a bakery someday? Join us for four intense days of mixing, piping and decorating.

Day 1 (MONDAY): CREAM PUFFS & ECLAIRS

Day 2(TUESDAY): SEASONAL FRUIT PIES

DAY 3 (WEDNESDAY):  HOMEMADE BREADS

DAY 4: (THURSDAY) FRENCH MACARONS

DAY 5: (FRIDAY) CAKES & CUPCAKES

Do you dream of owning a restaurant or food truck someday? Join us for five intense days of working the line! You'll pick up knife skills, plating, how to fry, sear, and bake while you make every component from scratch.

Day 1: MORROCAN (Tagines, Flatbreads and Spreads)

Day 2: ISRAEL (from Hummus to Falafel)

DAY 3:  BRITISH CLASSICS (Fish and Chips! Strawberry Shortcakes)!

DAY 4: HAVANA (Roasted Chicken, Flan and Platanos)

DAY 5:  CHINESE DUMPLINGS (from Potstickers to Steamed Dumplings)

Do you dream of owning a restaurant or food truck someday? Join us for five intense days of working the line! You'll pick up knife skills, plating, how to fry, sear, and bake while you make every component from scratch.

Day 1: MORROCAN (Tagines, Flatbreads and Spreads)

Day 2: ISRAEL (from Hummus to Falafel)

DAY 3:  BRITISH CLASSICS (Fish and Chips! Strawberry Shortcakes)!

DAY 4: HAVANA (Roasted Chicken, Flan and Platanos)

DAY 5:  CHINESE DUMPLINGS (from Potstickers to Steamed Dumplings)

This 10-week series is designed for the beginner or intermediate culinary student or baking enthusiast looking to improve on the basics of baking and pastry. These four-hour classes are taught in a professional environment. You will work independently and hands-on in a class with no more than 12 students.
 
Our classes are crafted to teach the basic chemistry of baking as well as techniques you’ll use both at home and in a professional kitchen. As with all our classes, everything you learn will be made from scratch, from the graham crust on your cheesecakes to the candied lemon zest on your lemon bars. We encourage you to bring a food-safe container to class to bring home your delicious work. Certificates of completion will be awarded at the end of the series.

CLASS MEETS FROM 9.30AM-1.30PM

EVERY SUNDAY FOR 10 WEEKS
 

Day 1: Mousses and Souffles.  Whip, beat and fold!  Learn the secrets to perfect souffles and smooth as silk mousses.  Chocolate Souffle, Cheese Souffle, Lemon Mousse and Honey Chocolate mousse; Pate a Bombe.

Day 2: Egg-leavened Cakes. Perfect your genoise and pair it with a lighter-than-air Dacquoise.  A lemon-scented Chiffon Cake with Bavarian Cream will make your swoon...

Day 3: Fruit Mousse Cakes.  Pair your egg-leavened cake with handmade Ladyfingers and seasonal Berry Mousses for spectacular results.  

Day 4: Yeasted Doughs.  From dinner rolls to sticky buns, you'll explore the rich doughs that make breakfast and dinner so much sweeter.

Day 5: Savory Breads. Lean doughs are vessels for all things savory.  You'll create your own focaccia and pizza, as well as handmade pita bread, to pair with your housemade cheese.

Day 6: Petit Fours  Small bites make big impressions, and attention to finishing details are key.  We will make Orange Blossom Madeleines, Classic Petit Fours with a Chocolate Mirrored Glaze, Lacey Tuile Cookies and Brown Butter Financiers.

Day 7: Cake Decorating: Get great at piping and learn new, modern designs for buttercream cakes with clean lines that will impress.

Day 8: Truffles, Marshmallows and Infused Toffees: Create a candy wonderland with our favorite base recipes.  You'll make your own custom ganaches for truffles, embed toffees with your favorite flavors and make batches of marshmallows to rival any you've ever had!

Day 9: Macarons: Perfect the French Method as you make Vanilla Bean, Pistachio and Hazelnut Macarons with custom ganaches and buttercreams to sandwich them with.

Day 10: Making Chocolate Basics Learn the basics of chocolate tempering and make some beautiful treats including rochers and chocolate lollipops!

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The Professional Baking Series take place at our new, state-of-the-art cooking school at the Santa Monica Place Mall. There is plenty of parking on the third level directly behind the school. In order to qualify for a certificate of completion, all classes need to be attended.

While we provide all ingredients, please note that it is helpful for all students to have the following tools to bring with them to class: 12 ramekins (about 5 oz. size), a shallow-dish pie tin and  light-colored aluminum cake pan measuring 6" and  8” by 3” tall. This will allow you to bake in your own containers and transport your goods home without unmolding many of your items before they have sufficiently cooled.

Please arrive on time in comfortable attire and closed-toed shoes. No cell phones in class, please.
Please note that we do not offer refunds but honor a 48-hour cancellation policy in order to reschedule your reservation. Ages 16 and up.

 Take your cooking to the next level with this 10-week, technique-based series that will teach you to begin cooking intuitively. Your chef instructor will provide a comprehensive lecture and demonstration of one or more dishes, followed by the hands-on portion of cooking class to master techniques. Each student will work at their own station to maximize their learning experience.

Chef May Hennman has been teaching people how to cook for 20 years and brings her classic culinary education, love of local, seasonal produce and study of world cuisines to her culinary classroom. You will gain confidence in the kitchen and learn to develop into an intuitive cook while making healthy and delicious daily meals.

You are offered 1 complimentary "make up" class if you miss a class, which we offer as a credit for a class on our schedule for a similar lesson.

 THIS CLASS MEETS EVERY SUNDAY MORNING

For 10 Weeks from 9:00am to 12:30pm

 This is a 3.5 hour class

Week 1: KNIFE SKILLS

Seasonal Salads

Week 2: STOCKS/BROTHS/SOUPS

Tomato Bisque

Mushroom Velouté

Minestrone

Week 3: DAIRY/EGGS

Seasonal Frittata

Fresh Ricotta

Eggs Benedict

Week 4: SAUCES 

Romesco Sauce

Béchamel Sauce

Pan Sauce 

Macaroni & Cheese

Steak Diane

Week 5: VEGETABLES

Roasted Cauliflower with Salsa Verde

Braised Peppers 

Beer Battered Onion Rings

Mushroom Toasts

Roasted Beet Salad

Week 6: PASTA/POLENTA/GNOCCHI

Spaghetti All’amatriciani

Classic Potato Gnocchi with Pesto 

Polenta with Spicy Sausage and Braised Fennel

WEEK 7: Whole Grains/Legumes

Roasted Garlic Hummus/Seasonal Crudité

Curry Quinoa with Beluga Lentils

Sicilian Farro

Black Bean Turkey Chili

WEEK 8: Chicken

Za’atar Chicken Breast with Tomato Cucumber Salad

Crispy Fried Chicken Legs

Chicken Meatballs

WEEK 9: Meat

Braised Hoisin Short Ribs with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Seared Filets with Reduction Sauce and Pommes Frites

Pork Milanese with Arugula Salad

WEEK 10: Fish 

Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Salad

Almond-Crusted White Fish 

Crab Cakes with Remoulade

Smokey Shrimp Tacos

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This series take place at our state-of-the-art kitchen at the Santa Monica Place Mall.  We are located on the third floor next to The Curious Palate and Arclight movie theatres. There is plenty of parking on level 4 of the parking structures 7 or 8. Please arrive on time in comfortable attire and close-toed shoes and avoid heavy perfumes and colognes.  You are offered 1 complimentary "make up" class if you miss a class, which we offer as a credit for a class on our schedule of similar lesson.  Please note that we do not offer refunds but honor a 48-hour cancellation policy in order to reschedule your reservation.  Ages 16 and up.

Professional Pastry Program Level 1

This 10-week series is designed for the novice culinary student or home baker looking to learn the basics of the art of baking andpastry. These four-hour classes are taught in a professional environment.  You will work independently and hands-on in a class with no more than 10 students. 

Our classes are crafted to teach the basic chemistry of baking as well as techniques you’ll use both at home and in a professional kitchen.  As with all our classes, everything you learn will be made from scratch, from the graham crust on your cheesecakes to the candied lemon zest on your lemon bars.  We encourage you to bring a food-safe container to class to bring home your delicious work.  Certificates of completion will be awarded at the end of the series.

 THIS CLASS MEETS EVERY MONDAY

For 10 WEEKS FROM 930AM-130PM

Day 1: Introduction to Basic Techniques

Start the series off by learning about the chemistry of baking.  We will explore how flour, sugar, eggs and other ingredients work in your recipes.  The proper use of pastry bags, reading formulas and the importance of mise-en-place will be discussed.  Students will receive textbooks and chef coats.

Day 2: Muffins, Quickbreads and Poundcakes

We will explore three different techniques and learn about ratios to create rich baked goods for breakfast, lunch, and dessert. 

Day 3: Cookies, Brownies and Bars

Make the perfect batch of cookies for consistently even baking and great results every time. 

Day 4: Egg-based Desserts

Learn to bake velvety smooth egg based desserts that range from creme brulee to classic chocolate puddings.

Day 5:Pâte à Choux

Pâte à Choux or Choux dough is a light pastry dough used to make an amazing varity of dishes. You’ll make this versatile dough two ways one sweet and one savory.

Day 6: Seasonal Fruit and Vegetable Desserts

You’ll learn proper techniques for macerating, reducing and pureeing to make a quick Coulis and seasonal desserts.

Day 7: Cheesecakes

Whether you like them light and airy or dense and creamy cheesecakes are a year round favorite and often tough to master for new chefs. You'll learn all the tips and tricks to master this egg based dessert.

Day 8:Tarts

Love a cookie crunch filling with a custard or fruit filling? We'll learn the proper way to press crust into a pan and master baking crusts blind and with filling.

Day 9: Pies

We'll tackle making the perfect pie dough and then crimp, fold and lattice our dough into beautiful pies.

Day 10: Cake Baking:

Learn the difference between High-Ratio and Sponge cakes. Cakes will be baked, cut, filled and frosted in class.

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The Professional Baking Series take place at our new, state-of-the-art cooking school at the Santa Monica Place Mall.  There is plenty of parking on the third level directly behind the school.  In order to qualify for a certificate of completion, all classes need to be attended.

While we provide all ingredients, please note that it is helpful for all students to have the following tools to bring with them to class: 12 ramekins (about 2 oz. size), a shallow-dish pie tin and a light-colored aluminum cake pan measure 6 or 8” by 3” tall.  This will allow you to bake in your own containers and transport your goods home without unmolding many of your items before they have sufficiently cooled.

Please arrive on time in comfortable attire and close-toed shoes.  No cell phones in class, please. 

Please note that we do not offer refunds but honor a 48-hour cancellation policy in order to reschedule your reservation. Ages 16 and up.

This 4-week series is designed to teach culinary fundamentals to establish your foundational cooking skills.  You will work at your own station under the guidance of our Chef Instructor who will teach classic techniques, and give you a great series of recipes to add to your repertoire.  Bring containers to class - you'll love your next day lunches!

THIS CLASS MEETS EVERY TUESDAY MORNING

For 4 weeks from 10:00-1:00pm

Day 1:Knife Skills: Soups & Salads. Sharpen your knife skills and learn to make four classic dishes that make perfect lunches and sides (while learning two awesome do-ahead dressings). Ginger Kale Salad, Farmers Market Chopped Salad, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, Tomato Bisque.

Day 2: Poultry: Learn to use various parts of the chicken while making 4 complete dinners. Moroccan Braised Chicken with Orange Scented Couscous, Turkey Ricotta Meatballs with Sage and Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Grainy Mustard Chicken Gratin with Roasted Broccoli.

Day 3: Meats: Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta & Caramelized Onions, Beef Bourguignon, Hoisin Beef with Scallion Pancakes and Spicy Slaw.

Day 4: Fish: Grilled Albacore on Greek Orzo, Maple Pecan Salmon, Pan-Sauteed Mahi Mahi Tacos with Fresh Pineapple and Cilantro Mint Pesto.

Menu items subject to change.  If you need to substitute an ingredient, call the school to let us know. You can make up up to one class in the series should you miss one.

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This class takes place at our state-of-the-art cooking school at the Santa Monica Place Shopping Center.  There is plenty of parking in Parking Structure 7 off Broadway directly behind the school, best level to park on is Level 4 if possible.  Please arrive on time in comfortable attire and close-toed shoes. 

Please note that we do not offer refunds but honor a 48-hour cancellation policy in order to reschedule your class or receive an account credit.  Ages 16 and up.

This 4-week series is designed to teach culinary fundamentals to establish your foundational cooking skills.  You will work at your own station under the guidance of our Chef Instructor who will teach classic techniques, and give you a great series of recipes to add to your repertoire.  Bring containers to class - you'll love your next day lunches!

THIS CLASS MEETS EVERY TUESDAY MORNING

For 4 weeks from 10:00-1:00pm

Day 1:Knife Skills: Soups & Salads. Sharpen your knife skills and learn to make four classic dishes that make perfect lunches and sides (while learning two awesome do-ahead dressings). Ginger Kale Salad, Farmers Market Chopped Salad, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, Tomato Bisque.

Day 2: Poultry: Learn to use various parts of the chicken while making 4 complete dinners. Moroccan Braised Chicken with Orange Scented Couscous, Turkey Ricotta Meatballs with Sage and Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Grainy Mustard Chicken Gratin with Roasted Broccoli.

Day 3: Meats: Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta & Caramelized Onions, Beef Bourguignon, Hoisin Beef with Scallion Pancakes and Spicy Slaw.

Day 4: Fish: Grilled Albacore on Greek Orzo, Maple Pecan Salmon, Pan-Sauteed Mahi Mahi Tacos with Fresh Pineapple and Cilantro Mint Pesto.

Menu items subject to change.  If you need to substitute an ingredient, call the school to let us know. You can make up up to one class in the series should you miss one.

------------

This class takes place at our state-of-the-art cooking school at the Santa Monica Place Shopping Center.  There is plenty of parking in Parking Structure 7 off Broadway directly behind the school, best level to park on is Level 4 if possible.  Please arrive on time in comfortable attire and close-toed shoes. 

Please note that we do not offer refunds but honor a 48-hour cancellation policy in order to reschedule your class or receive an account credit.  Ages 16 and up.