Do you have a friend or family member who always says they wished they could cook just like you? Or do you know someone who has just started out on their own and is clueless in the kitchen? Or maybe you have a favorite recipe or method or special talent that you would like to share? Then consider giving a cooking class as a gift!
Good Idea: Give a Cooking Class as a Gift!
I gave my friend Abbey an afternoon of cooking lessons for Christmas last year. She cashed in her gift last weekend and we had a fantastic time planning, shopping, prepping and cooking for a small group of friends. Here's a few things I learned from my experience:
- A handmade certificate or card, as opposed to a casual verbal offer, is a nice way to present the gift. And set the date for the class right away as it's easy to forget.
- Have a discussion on what your friend would like to learn a few days before the actual class so you have time to make a rough plan and gather recipes. Also, it's nice to leave behind copies of the recipes you are using, especially if you've scribbled your notes and substitutions and ideas on them.
- Meet up early in the day for tea or coffee and to finalize the menu. Make up the shipping list, head out to the stores. For people who don't cook much, these steps can be a lot of fun and informative. How do you shop for a ripe melon? How do you know how much chicken to buy for 8 people? What do you do when the store is out of arugula?
- Back at home (it can be your kitchen or theirs) be sure to let your student do the cooking. Most people learn best by actually doing the task at hand, so step aside. You can hover, but your role is to be a guide and a support. Remember to share your thinking with them: why you chose fresh herbs instead of dried, or added sugar here or salt there.
- Depending on their familiarity with cooking, a demonstration of a few knife skills is always appreciated. And be sure to leave them with a few secret ingredients or special tricks!
Most of us don't need any more stuff in our lives, but we always need new and relevant experiences and to keep learning new things. And we need companionship. Sharing time in the kitchen with a friend, funky aprons tied around your waists, chopping herbs and dancing around each other as the meal time draws near is a priceless gift. Give it freely!
Related: Do You Like Cooking with Yourself or with Others?
(Images: Dana Velden)
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Bay Area, California
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I'm not a "foodie" or a good cook by any means (my husband, on the other hand, is proving to be one!). I would LOVE this from a friend. It would be way more personal and fun than from a regular class. There are so many recipes I want to try that just seem really intimidating.
view inkstainedwriter's profile
Even those of us who are not novice cooks, could really enjoy this as a gift. I know I would love it, so I could learn new stuff, and have fun with someone I love.
view Daigan's profile
This is a wonderful idea. I love to cook and learn new things, as well as my family. I've never been trained professionally, but I thought it might be a good idea to learn some techniques that I can then tweak on my own to become a more efficient and better cook. So, for my birthday my boyfriend actually bought me a cooking class at the Culinary Institute. So I am going to take the class, and then as a thank you give him a lesson on what I learned.
view thekitchenmacgyver's profile
I've offered 3 "gift certificates" to friends for a home-prepared meal with full instruction (in their home, of course), but nobody's taken me up on it yet.
view Michelle of Montreal's profile
Slightly off-topic, but I'd love any advice ... I've been pondering getting my husband a gift certificate to a cooking class at one of our local culinary instruction places ... probably a Grilling/Barbecuing 101 type offering.
The classes I've been looking at aren't geared for couples, but I'm not sure he'd like to do it alone. Anyone have any experience with this type of thing? Should I just pay for two seats so we can both go, or do they typically let someone come along and just observe?
view stlellen's profile
Just a word of warning. There are times that this would be a horrible idea. Like, if the recipient is someone you live with and whose cooking you have been eating for years. In that case, it would not be a good gift. Sort of like giving a gym membership or a vacuum.
view Cupajo's profile
stlellen--observation is usually the point, so you'll probably have to buy two spots. But don't worry, you'll have a good time even if you're not particularly interested...you will get to eat after all.
view splatgirl's profile
What a great gift idea, and inexpensive too if you're hosting the cooking class yourself.
I would love to attend a cooking class or even just have a day in the kitchen with a friend for us to share tips and food with eachother. I've attended 1 cooking demo put on by our energy company & a local restaurant. The exec chef & pastry chef prepared meals & desserts. We got to eat the food and take home the recipes. Was a great night out!
view goodLife{eats}'s profile
@splatgirl -- thanks for the input. the few classes I have been looking at are more hands-on, and almost all-day affairs. I would love to go myself, it's just a question of cost. I think if I decide to go this route, I'm just going to have to resolve myself to the price.
view stlellen's profile
I love this idea. I'm thinking that it would be great to give someone their favorite pie... and a gift certificate for a making that pie at a later date.
I love taking cooking classes even though I've been cooking for a looong time. I can always learn something and you get to eat!
view twosavoie's profile
My brother and sister-in-law just bought me a cooking class with 2009 James Beard nominee Chef Achantz of Alinea. I can't wait!
view Jen in Chi-town's profile
Not a gift, but I've been bartering Indian cooking classes for services, like engagement pictures and a haircut. It's a great deal for me and other seem to appreciate it too!
As for classes, I got my fiance a knife skills class and it's amazing to watch him chop now!
view inothernews's profile
Jen that sounds amazing. Color me green.
view renata's profile
may i say that as a lucky attendee of abbey and dana's dinner, it was FANTASTIC and a ton of fun for everybody!
view rena at rare device's profile
@twosavoie -- Sign me up to be one of your friends.. pie and a chance to make it a second time.. YAY!!!
view Daigan's profile
I've been the recipient and giver of a cooking class gift and it has gone over well on all occassions. Obviously, it helps to know the person you are gifting to as to whether or not it would be a good fit.
view rosebud's profile
I gave my best friend a multi-layered gift last year of her birthday. The first thing she opened was a new pan, to add to her on-going collection. The next step was a cooking class for newlyweds (we aren't married, but it was the only "class for 2" that ICE offered!) Last, i had emailed her friends and family weeks earlier asking for a recipe that she either loves or they think she will love and their favorite memory of eating with her. I put these together in a book, using photos of her growing up with these friends and family members (I'm a graphic designer, but I think there are now services that do this type of thing for you) It was an extra special gift and hopefully something she can take with her for a long time (I saved a pdf just in case of spills!)
view zesty_27's profile
I started a home-based bakery class that has grown into something amazing, but I still just like to make Danish Pastry for my family and friends and shortbread on cool spring mornings. For me cooking and baking is like therapy, and a whole lot cheaper.
view Denay's profile
Great idea, thanks, came across another interesting site and would like to share it with other moms –
http://www.bizymoms.com/kids_cooking/index.php
helps you teach your children to cook and information on the numerous benefits enjoyed by moms who encourage their kids to cook. Check it out as there are loads of healthy recipes and easy and fun online cooking classes which you could enjoy with the help of your kids.
view JackieHandunge's profile