Guide To CT Virtual (& In Person) Cooking, Cocktail, & Beer Classes

How would you rank your cooking skills? Have you become a master baker or a serious mixologist at the bar? From baking or creating homemade pasta  to perfecting classic cocktails, we have a list of VIRTUAL (& IN PERSON) COOKING & COCKTAILS CLASSES for you to get the creative juices flowing. Step up your kitchen and home bar chops now:

Note to Readers: Many below who offer classes in person must adhere to strIct Covid guidelines, please heed protocols. That said, there are plenty of online options as well.

Do you know of a cooking class spot we missed? Contact us.

The Fig Cooking School - Milford

For over a decade, The Fig Cooking School has brought guests together over vibrant and intimate hands-on cooking classes.  Convenient to all of New Haven and Fairfield Counties, their state-of-the-art teaching kitchen on the Milford Shoreline is designed to inspire, with marble countertops and Wolf appliances gracing a striking copper bar. Colorful menus range from Steak au Poivre, to Northern Italian Cannelloni, to Persian Jeweled Rice, to Vegetarian Farmer’s Market Favorites, Yucatán Pork Pibil, or Bourbon-Banana Pudding and are designed to be relevant to guests of all skill levels - from absolute beginners to seasoned home chefs. Classes for public registration are held several times a week, with kids’ weeklong workshops offered over the summer. Custom team-building events and private parties can be scheduled for any occasion throughout the year. After chopping, mixing, and measuring together, guests sit down at community tables to enjoy the meal they have just prepared. It’s common to see guests exchanging phone numbers at the end of an evening of storytelling, laughter, and camaraderie that only breaking bread can bring. Fig is continuing to offer virtual classes in early 2021, and is targeting early Summer to reopen for in-person classes, as soon as it is safe to do so.

Heather Carey - Southport

Heather Carey and The Green Palette Kitchen are taking over Zoom with Heather's signature healthy online cooking classes for small groups, highly personalized private instruction or corporate events. Culinary Nutritionist Heather Carey knows a thing or two about healthy eating for yourself and your family. Making sure healthy food is on the table, that everyone will actually enjoy, means knowing the secrets to using the right combination of herbs and spices to make real food taste delicious, as well as having your kitchen set up with the tools for easy cooking. As a nutritionist and chef, Heather infuses healthy food with tons of inspiration and flavor. Cooking lessons are always creative and fun, yet simple enough that you can make the recipes again and again. During this time of staying in, it has become even more important to cook well, eat well and be well, and online classes with The Green Palette Kitchen make it easy to do just that. Simply visit the website to learn more about upcoming classes. Once you sign up, you will receive the Zoom link, easy to purchase grocery list, recipes and any other handouts. Get set to have healthy fun in the comfort and safety of your own kitchen. 

AMG Catering - Wilton

They are so happy they can continue to offer cooking classes in person this winter. All classes are hands-on, BYOB and super fun! Offering everything from sushi “rolling” to couples classes to celebrate your valentine, you will learn many “chef’s secrets and shortcuts”.  They are also offering private group / family cooking classes/design your “pod” and you can design the menu/ recipes together. Masks are required and classes are capped at 10 Guests. They are also very excited to let you know that they have won best cooking classes of 2020 in Fairfield county from “Best of the Gold Coast “( 3 years in a row ) .

CT Beer

Beer Together, CT! For 8+ years CTBeer.com has been bringing people together to enjoy craft beer, highlighting the people, places and stories behind the scenes along the way. Due to the pandemic, CTBeer.com has pivoted to now host Virtual Beer Tastings, Brewery Tours, Beer Fests, Private Events and so much more. Join us online for memorable experiences, access to new, exclusive & rare beers and connect with brewers and drinkers alike. You'll learn more about beer styles, aromas, and flavors that make up our local beers, all from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're a Craft Beer Connoisseur, Newbie, or just looking for something new to do and drink good brew, CTBeer.com has you covered. Bookmark https://ctb.fyi/ctbites for upcoming events

Koncierge Kitchen - West Hartford

Debbie Raviv is a West Hartford native and the owner of Koncierge Kitchen. Ms. Raviv studied culinary arts and received her degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. Chef Debbie has extensive knowledge in Mediterranean, Pan Asian, French and American cuisine as well as pastry. She and her husband have owned two restaurants in Connecticut and currently reside in West Hartford with their three children. Koncierge Kitchen offers all chef services and specializes in personal cooking instruction. Classes are offered virtually or in person for private one on one lessons or as a group. Cooking lessons are a wonderful way to learn how to cook basic meals or expand your repertoire to learn how to make restaurant quality food at home. Also, group lessons are a fun activity to do with the family or friends or for a special occasion. Once you get some skills under your belt you will feel more comfortable in the kitchen and more likely to cook at home. Let Koncierge Kitchen teach you how easy and entertaining cooking can be! 

Chef Leticia

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz graduated from the Culinary & Pastry Arts program at the International Culinary Center (former French Culinary institute) and worked at Le Cirque, La Caravelle and La Grenouille in NYC. She is the author of three cookbooks and her work has been extensively covered in the media. She has been teaching cooking classes for more than 15 years in some of the most prestigious cooking schools in the country. Ever since “Virtual Learning” became the new normal, Leticia embraced the modality and is teaching VIRTUAL COOKING CLASSES for groups as small as two and as big as 200 people. It’s a wonderful experience! Participants arrange a date and time that works for all as well as the preferred menu. Leticia sends a shopping and equipment list along with the recipes. Step by step, ingredient by ingredient, cooking matters now more than ever!

Marcia Selden Catering - Stamford

The dynamic sibling duo of Chef Robin Selden and Jeffrey Selden guide their virtual guests through  super fun and engaging culinary experiences. You’ll shake up and stir some thirst quenching craft cocktails from Marcia Selden’s Liquid Kitchen. Create a custom designed menu, from soup to nuts, and enjoy it all when you are done. The perfect way to spend an evening with friends or colleagues. Connect with the party perfecters at Marcia Selden Catering to plan your virtual cooking class today. www.Marciaselden.com 203-353-8000

Amelia Lord's Whole Kitchen
Amelia Lord celebrates cooking  as a form of “walking meditation,” she says. She’s passionate about food justice, sustainability, and very involved with various organizations who share the same values.Check out her seven-week course called The Sensuality of Food: To Pleasure and Connection. 

Cafe Aura
Voted Best New Restaurant of 2020 by Hartdord Readers’ Poll, Coach Geno Auriemma's newest spot with Chef Erminio Conte focuses on upscale dining and world class wines. But, if you are still tentative about walking out the door, check out their regular online food and drink tutorials.

ChopShop Cooking
Don’t let cooking creatively with great ingredients be daunting. Let Karen Brownlow of Westport walk you through useful techniques and recipes. You’ll learn savvy tricks and tips and have a host of themed classes to choose from or build your own options. Contact her now to book a class.

Cinch Cooking
Known for their Thursday night dinners, complete with fresh pastas and fresh cheeses  or even recipes that satisfy the Whole 30 plan, check out their regular offerings for cooking and bartending skills.

Culinary Works

Celebrating life’s special moments have been at home these days, so get a little extra help from places like Culinary Works. They’ll walk you through recipes, tips, and techniques with friends or co-workers, or have classes just for kids. Choose a menu, theme, and date, and grab your apron. Contact them online now.

Fairfield Cheese
OK, I’m proud of my degrees, but I’ve yet to be certified by a Cheese School. Let’s go! With Charcuterie being every other word out of a foodie’s mouth these days, it might just be necessary to go to Cheese School. With locations in Fairfield and Greenwich, stay tuned to their lists for classes starting in February and March; they are no doubt our local masters!

Foodology Lab
With classes like Santorini Night, Make it Saucy, or Death and Some Dinner , you can’t go wrong with Foodology as your guide for learning your way around the kitchen. They might just have the most extensive list of options around.

It's Lauren, Of Course
One person said, they left Lauren’s class without any makeup left; they had laughed and cried so much. And, piled high with tips and confidence for their own kitchens.  She might just get awards for most hilarious, talented, and creative all in one her personality is EVERYTHING. It is no wonder she has been featured on tv and has few books under her belt. Classes coming up: Mushroom Risotto, Advanced Eggs, and Date Night In

Le Bahn Patisserie - Simsbury
Le Banh offers a monthly cake decorating class. Each month they host a different theme and they pack you up with their Bánh Decorating kit that includes  everything needed then deliver it straight to your door. You will likely not reach the perfection Chef Kim Hoang Wood does (see our feature on her from October here), but you sure can try.

Maker's Kitchen
Zoom and cook online and choose just what you want to make. Founded by Chef Jesse Kramer, noted as Jon Stewart’s favorite caterer, Maker’s Kitchen will tailor classes to your taste. Sign up for his popular classes. Surely you’ll learn a thing or two by someone who’s been on Chopped, NBC, and created a 22 episode series on tacos.

Match - South Norwalk
Have a party with local, much beloved Chef Matt Storch of the SONO staple. Recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary, Chef Storch of Match will teach you some of his classic dishes via the comfort of your home. According to their site, “from Italian and American farm cooking, Vietnamese staples, light or heavy Mediterranean dishes, out of the book French to Chef Storch’s twists on global classics. Items direct from the Match menu or dishes you have always dreamed of cooking can be on your table.”

Ordinary - New Haven
New Haven’s oldest tavern is entrenched in history and easily has top billing for classic drinks and cocktails. Join their creative team who’ve earned countless accolades and learn how to create popular cocktails or put together delicious drink and snack pairings in classes like Spain With Roia coming up soon.

Roia Restaurant New Haven
What’s your flavor? Sign on for one of many virtual classes. Although you can’t quite enjoy the restaurant in all its grandeur at the moment, you can still enjoy the talents and creativity of this New Haven gem though catering, events, or virtual classes. Next up, the flavors of Colombia. Check out their schedule now. 

Sanctuary Kitchen New Haven
This wonderful operation out of New Haven and under the organization City Seed, offers a mountain of great energy, passion, and diversity. Sign up for a class, learn the stories behind these incredibly brave and talented women, and leave class with a satisfied belly, richer mind, and fuller heart. Stay tuned to their site for updated schedules.

The Best Wine Shop in Town Glastonbury
Bring the vineyard to you with a bountiful list and experts at your fingertips. They do virtual wine tours and have a serious monthly wine club to satisfy your “inner sommelier.”.

Tim’s Kitchen at Wakeman Town Farm Westport
Wakeman is farm the -to-table destination for fun culinary classes and community gatherings on the site of a working farm. They cannot wait to pop a few bottles of wine and bring our local friends back together for "Pizza on the Patio" Nights, Cooking Classes featuring Local Guest Instructors, and Intimate Chefs’ Dinners with some of the most celebrated chefs in CT. They are cooking up an array of healthy eating programs and culinary skills classes for aspiring Jr. Chefs. This winter, it’s all about Lightened Up Meals via Zoom. When they return in the spring, there’ll be lots of outdoor culinary events.

Vita Pasta Lab Westport

Learn everything you could ever learn about pasta from Chef Vita. Pasta itself, she believes, is about being together, even if it has to be virtually. Check out her list of classes and get one step closer to mastering this beloved Italian staple.

Weekend Kitchen Essex

Cooking alongside some of the best chefs from CT’s beautiful shoreline. From chefs and restaurateurs to pastry chefs and caterers, the Weekend Kitchen hosts professionals with unique perspectives on cooking, but all of whom have a passion for food and sharing it with you.

Wine 101 Hamden
Is there any pairing more beautiful than wine and cheese? From their Wine of the Month Club and blog posts to creative virtual tastings, stay in the know and connected with Wine 101.

Wine Unwrapped
Learn the ins and outs of wine from Jon Haight, an educator, a retailer, a journalist, and consultant. An all around enthusiast he’ll dispel wine myths and leave you feeled schooled in the best way. See what he has to offer now.

Zen Restaurant Group
Having been at the receiving end of several of their events, this is definitely a LAST but CERTAINLY NOT least listing. They think of everything, from flavor and texture to color and presentation, so I imagine these are core pieces shared with students in their classes as well. Stay tuned for their line-up of Mixology sessions.