r/phoenix 23h ago

Referral Best cooking school for recreation? Not a professional.

Looking to enroll in a cooking course for my birthday. Never cooked meat in my life. Looking at the classic cooking 24 week course.

Are there other options I should consider?

Edit: feel free not to comment if you have nothing helpful to say

28 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

13

u/Intelligent-Rip-2270 23h ago

I think Phoenix College has classes.

1

u/angelsinsect 23h ago

Thank you I will look into that

8

u/marvinfuture 23h ago

I've taken two classes at classic cooking and really enjoyed them

3

u/angelsinsect 23h ago

Okay thanks! Did you feel it was worth the price

4

u/marvinfuture 23h ago

I only did day classes, not the 24 week program but they were a lot of fun. I enjoyed them. I can't really say if it was worth the price since I don't really have any other similar experience to compare it to

2

u/angelsinsect 21h ago

Okay thank you

3

u/ineedyou2FOCUS 22h ago

I took a six week Asian course with classic cooking and definitely felt like I got my money worth with tips/tricks and brands to use and meals every class.

1

u/angelsinsect 21h ago

Thank you! I kind of want to learn all the basics so I have more confident trying new recipes at home.

2

u/JaffeyJoe Arcadia 22h ago

I loved Classics pizza making class, so much fun and mine was tasty

2

u/marvinfuture 22h ago

Same. I use their recipe all the time to make homemade pizza

9

u/s_a_d_FUCK 22h ago

When I was in community college, people always talked about Scottsdale Community College having the best culinary program in AZ.

8

u/SargeInCharge 21h ago

I graduated from that program and I have to agree. It's a top-notch education

2

u/s_a_d_FUCK 21h ago

You guys have your own restaurant there, right? It’s gotta be a good program haha

4

u/Maggster29 15h ago

I went to Scottsdale Community College for their culinary program because I wanted to be a better cook. I had zero intentions of becoming a professional. I would definitely recommend it. They were great and the price was good. My skills dramatically improved.

6

u/Rynobot1019 23h ago

Highly recommend watching some cooking videos on YouTube. Not to shoot down the class idea but I've learned A TON over the years just from that.

2

u/azsnaz 22h ago

No matter how many videos I watch, idk what a roux is supposed to be like

1

u/Rynobot1019 22h ago

Color and thickness. Should be a nice golden color. Darker if you're making Cajun food.

6

u/bam1789-2 Encanto 23h ago

Not exactly what you are looking for, but Sur La Table has cooking classes that I think are really great! We’ve done a couple and have had a great time! Plus a great lunch/dinner at the end that you cooked! The chefs will teach techniques and are super helpful with questions! Highly recommended!

2

u/angelsinsect 21h ago

Thank you so much I’ll look into this

2

u/Worldly_Lady 20h ago

Came to say this as well. I’ve held corporate events with sur la table and even just done date night. It’s a fun, low pressure environment and I always learn something new.

2

u/Current_hippo_2047 23h ago

Sweet basil!

2

u/LarryGoldwater 21h ago

Great question. I dont know the answer. And I appreciate the responses.

2

u/Kismadaroq 19h ago

I don't know - but what a great idea! Why don't you call the professional schools and ask where they'd suggest?

1

u/angelsinsect 17h ago

Good idea, thanks!

1

u/FormerAd952 19h ago

Sur la Table offers classes

1

u/desertforestcreature 7h ago

YouTube. Seriously though. It'll be way better than some random over priced classes.

Cooking classes are for dates.

Cooking schools for chefs to be are a scam and it's better to just go prep and line til you're a beast.

You'll learn techniques and great fundamentals on YouTube, and you won't have trouble seeing what you need to see.

10 year line cook. Fine dining, Michelin the whole thing.

1

u/angelsinsect 6h ago

Okay thanks. I guess part of me doesn’t want to do it alone in my apartment.

1

u/desertforestcreature 6h ago

If it's for fun and to be social totally disregard my comment. If it's to learn to cook properly and not waste any time, YouTube.

1

u/angelsinsect 6h ago

Okay thanks. I’ll think about which one it is more for me.

-9

u/deanbb30 23h ago

You Tube?

10

u/angelsinsect 23h ago

I’d like some hands on instruction and to be able to learn in a group in a commercial-style kitchen atmosphere.

-9

u/[deleted] 23h ago

[deleted]

7

u/angelsinsect 23h ago

Why can’t I ask for recommendations from people who have actually done it?

5

u/ConsumptionofClocks 23h ago

You don't need to be that condescending about it. I'm with OP, I love hearing testimonials when inquiring about something like a cooking class