Annual Artisan Culinary Classes

Ever wondered how La Cocina chefs make their authentic specialty dishes? Well they’re here to show you how! Join La Cocina’s talented international chefs as they reveal their secrets and equip you with hands-on experience and recipes you’ll be able to recreate at home with confidence. Both an interactive dinner party and cooking class, each session is $80 per person (complete with dinner and drinks) and takes place from 6:30-9:00 pm.

Each class features a La Cocina supported chef, with all proceeds benefitting Non-Profit La Cocina. From borcht to tamales, you’re sure to find something to suit your culinary sensibilities.

This year’s schedule is as follows:

February 13^th, 6.30-9pm: Valentine’s Day Sweets

There’s nothing like the heat of the kitchen to bring you and your sweetie closer together. Add a few bottles of wine, melted chocolate and creamy frosting, well, it may just get too hot to handle. Join expert chocolatiers Christine Doerr of Neo Cocoa and Cristina Arantes from Kika’s Treats, and cupcake extraordinaire Elvia Buendia from La Luna Cupcakes, in making truffles, caramels and mini cupcakes. It’s up to you whether you eat it all before or after a delightful dinner by Delicioso Creperie. Get tickets here.

March 20^th,  6.30-9pm: Backpacking through Southern Asia

Why not spice up your cooking repertoire with a sprinkle of turmeric, star anise or coriander? Let Azalina from Azalina’s and Binita from Bini’s Kitchen show you how to create traditional Malaysian and Nepalese dishes that will transport you from the Bay to the foothills of the Himalayas and the stalls of Malaysia’s markets. Get tickets here.

April 17^th, 6.30-9pm: Soul Food Soiree

Satisfy your soul by learning how to make the most comforting of dishes: Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Corn and Pepper Succotash, and Minnie Bell’s Signature Gumbo. It’s like a big bear hug with every bite! Get your tickets here.

May 29th, 6.30-9pm: May Masa Madness **Class cancelled**

Play-doh that kids can actually eat! Bring along your little ones and let them get their hands dirty making all sorts of doughy delights. Guadalupe Guerrero of El Pipila will show you and your kids the art of making masa, and a few of the countless dishes you can make with it. Note: Must be 12 or older to attend.

June 19^th,  6.30-9pm: Singles Cocktail Class **Class cancelled**

Join the talented and dapper Rye on the Road bartenders as they mash, mix and muddle their way to cocktail perfection. Add a unique twist to your cocktail with spicy rim salts from Sal de Vida Gourmet, eat some tasty bites by Love & Hummus and desserts by Sweets Collection, all whilst in the company of other Bay Area singles looking for love and libations. Salud! Get tickets here.

July 10^th, 6.30-9pm: Brine & Dine

Wondering how you can eat amazing seasonal produce all year round? Pickle them, of course! Join Emiliana Puyana from Jarred SF Brine and Mariko Grady of Aeden Foods as they show you the endless pickling possibilities. We’d be pickled to have you. Get your tickets here.

September 18^th, 6.30-9pm: Holy Mole

The holiest and most traditional of Mexican dishes, mole is said to have been created by nuns and has an average of 26 ingredients. On the heels of Mexican Independence day, join us in celebrating by making not one, but two(!), traditional moles with Isabel Caudillo of El Buen Comer and Veronica Salazar from El Huarache Loco. Get tickets here.

October 30^th, 6.30-9pm: Buggin’ Out

Be the ultimate Halloween host with these tasty edible insect creations. Learn to make handmade chocolate covered crickets, crispy mealworm mix and all sorts of creepy crawly dishes sure to spook your friends! Join Monica Martinez from Don Bugito as she teaches you to make some tricky treats and the joys that come from buggin out. Get tickets here. 

December 11^th, 6.30-9pm: La Tamalada

One tamale, two tamales, three tamales, four! That’s how many different kinds of tamales you will learn to make during our signature tamale making class. Join the city’s best tamale makers as they work their masa magic, and then take your tamales home for your holiday parties. Taught by Maria del Carmen Flores of Estrellita’s Snacks, Constanza Ortiz of Maite Catering, and Alicia Villanueva of Alicia Tamales Los Mayas. Get your tickets here.

We would like to thank Whole Foods for their generous sponsorship of La Cocina’s cooking classes.