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. Read on to see what’s cooking near you…
- Vino Venue Located just outside the perimeter in Dunwoody, Vine 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 (and kitchen secrets and tips you can add to your culinary skillset), while you get hands-on 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. 2 and 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 Rd., Dunwoody, 770-668-0435, vinovenue.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 a.m.-11 a.m. on Dec. 20 (ages 3-5 and parent) for just $19. For more info, visit wholefoodsmarket.com/salud. 5945 State Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, 770-442-3354 x 1 ; 2800 Old Milton Pkwy., Alpharetta, (770) 442-3354 x2.
- il Giallo Osteria & Bar Celebrate the holidays in Italian style with homemade pasta this year. Hit up il Giallo Osteria & Bar in Sandy Springs this Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., when Chef Jamie Adams will lead a group of 14 guests in a hands-on pasta making class ($100). You'll learn how to make several different varieties of pasta, and then join the chef for an intimate lunch to enjoy your creations with house-made sauces and wine pairings. The restaurant has held several tickets for the Dec. 2 class for release today, so snag them before they're gone at ilgialloatl.com. 5920 Roswell Rd. B-118, Sandy Springs, 404-709-2148.
- 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 hands-on cooking to demonstrations, kid's and teen's classes, and more. Coming up on Dec. 2 (10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.), take their Gingerbread Houses class ($60) that 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/aprons-cooking-schools/alpharetta/classes. 4305 State Bridge Rd., Alpharetta, 770-751-8560.
