Sur La Table Cooking Class

My daughter Amanda has been to Sur la Table Summer camp which was such a great experience that she signed up for another week right after the first one.
However, 2 years later I tried signing up for a class and the staff was so unknowledgeable. I spoke to the person in charge of the classes and still didn’t know what was going on. Too too bad. If they can’t get the information of the class right I don’t see how they could teach a class thoroughly and informatively.
I cancelled the class I signed my daughter up for.

My husband and I took a fresh pasta workshop with Tiffany Lewis. She was fabulous and our pastas were all so delicious. I can’t wait to get home and host with the recipes she provided us. She’s friendly and helpful and I will defiantly be taking another class with her again. We were lucky to grab our class on sale but wouldn’t mind paying full price if it wasn’t. For two hours and the amount you learn and can eat it’s well worth it!

Interesting experience last night with Spanish Tapas! I thought that the food prepared was delicious (there are sure going to be more salt/​pepper/​spices/​etc. if I decide to make these again at home) but I thought the class was great.
My co-​worker and I bought this class because it was half-​off, and I would really recommend doing that if you already know the basics. This wasn’t as hands on as I expected, the mise en place was great, but the meatball ingredients were basically already put together in one bowl. Not as much chopping or prep as I would have thought would be involved in a two hour class — which is fine, considering we had a few drinks before and it’s a bit of a liability.
All-​in-​all, I would totally do it again. I would recommend picking a class that you REALLY are interested in, because otherwise the $ 70+ cooking class won’t be as worth it.

This place is located inside the satellite part of South Coast Plaza. It’s right across from Williams Sonoma so that’s your landmark! (Other places include Crate and Barrel, and Anthropologie.) The cooking class is located in the back corner, near the sale items. It has its own space and area, unlike Williams Sonoma, so that’s kinda nice how private it is from the outside shoppers. It’s even got a potty. :)
There was a 50% off sale on their classes, so I decided to swoop in and nab two spots for their Thai class. (Sorry no pic on the fritters!) Overall the menu was definitely pretty good, but seeing as it was Chef Kristin’s first time on the meal (and how we make fritters all the time) it wasn’t quite right. Her experience seemed to be more traditional and less Asian (considering the mistake), but hopefully she gets it right on the next try. (Maybe that’s why the class was cheaper!) But she did show her expertise and experience when she tried to make them how she knew how, so I do have to return points back to her on that one.
The rest of the dishes were pretty good, most of the items are already pre-​cut or what not. This class is much more of a glorified demo. You get to handle a knife, sort of, if you’re in a group that delegates to you, and you get to run a food processor /​blender. You do get some time over a fire, but it’s pretty quick. In our case we did a quick grill or fry.
At the end when you get to have main samples, considering we were all adults, it was seemingly the non-​Asians of the class that took the most (sea)food. That’s not any fault of the Cooking Class, but maybe I wish with all the help around that they would have served us instead. The last few people barely got any shrimp. (In my defense I was following them, so I didn’t realize I had taken that many myself — though less than them!)
Overall I’d tell you that this class isn’t worth it without the 50% off. The chef was fine and everything, but I felt her tips and what not were pretty basic. This class was really for people who don’t cook or don’t have much experience in cooking. It’s a fun date night and maybe once in a lifetime thing, but I probably wouldn’t go again. The reason it’s so expensive is because there’s three other people in the room helping to clean up. The chef was ok, but like I said, pretty basic. I felt like either she wasn’t able to live up to her true capabilities (like she was being stifled at this position), or she was more amateur. I mean, either way honestly it was ok for this type of class, but I personally would have preferred a more intimate class with higher instruction from the chef.
I understand Sur La Table wants to appeal to all audiences and levels of cooking though, I get that. Just sayin’. Ok so in summary, literally what you read on the description is literally what you’re getting.

We really enjoyed our steak class. Roberta is adorable; it’s obvious she enjoys cooking and teaching. We learned new skills and recipes; however, I didn’t like preparing food in small groups only to have it all cooked and mixed with what others prepared. I’d rather eat what I worked to make just right. Also, my steak was not cooked as long as I’d prefer, so I didn’t enjoy it as much. Even so, I think I’d return for another class.

SLT occasionally offers 50% off deals on their cooking classes, so when I received an email on their Thanksgiving week discount, I had to bite. All in all, the knife class was absolutely top notch and Mac was great. You are surrounded with less than 16 people that are just as interested in cooking, and it was a great atmosphere. I did end up buying a Miyabi chef knife afterwards and the customer service was a bit slow — BUT, it’s Black Friday, so it was understandable. Loved it and would totally come back again — SLT is definitely an amateur’s chef’s dream!

My husband and I have taken two classes at Sur La Table and absolutely had
a great time… the chef, the helpers and the food was fantastic! We are already looking to sign up for another class.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in learning to cook and enjoy great food!

I have taken two cooking classes here. They were both a lot of fun. First one, I took my best friend for her BDay and we made pasta. Second, I did one with my sister and that was French cooking. It’s a really fun date night that’s new and different. There were lots of guys which surprised me, told my boyfriend about it and now he wants to go.
Don’t feel obligated to buy. You get a 20% coupon, but you can come back later to use it.
They do not allow wine, but provide good coffee and water.

I came here for their date night chef’s table cooking class and had a great time! If the classes weren’t so pricey, I’d be here every week. Most of them are $ 69 or $ 79 per person.
The store itself is really nice. They have enough kitchen supplies and gadgets to satisy any chef. Their items aren’t cheap but they have sales and a clearance section in the back. Also, when you take a class, you get a 10% off reusable coupon good for a week.
The classes are held in a spacious kitchen in the back. Our teacher, Lisa, was great. She was informative and funny. Most of the prep work is done already like on cooking shows, but you do learn cooking techniques and get to practice on some of the ingredients. I only wish the class went at a little slower pace. It would’ve also been nice if we worked in pairs instead of groups of 4 so we could get more hands on time.
The food we made was delicious! We made scallops, steak, fennel salad and pot de crème. We each got a pretty good portion of everything to try but I wouldn’t recommend coming to a class starving.
Definitely take a class here if you can. It’s fun, educational and yummy!

I used to think that their prices was pretty outrageous, but I now understand why. They have a great return policy that allows you to return any item if you don’t like it. They will even accept returns on used items if you were not happy with the item. The only limitation is the electric appliances, they have only a year return period.
Recently I took one of their cooking classes as a fun date idea with my boyfriend. We had ended up getting the class on sale and while there the manager told the chef that she could give us all a Wusthof knife! The class was interactive, but a lot of the prep work was already done. Great class for a date or someone who is just learning how to cook. They give you tips on technique too, which was really helpful to break bad habits before they begin. The food was delicious and there is a great sense of accomplishment knowing that they helped prepare it. It makes you really excited to go home and cook. The class also comes with a 10% store coupon for in-​store purchases only. The discount is good for the day of class and up to a week afterwards.

The cooking classes are amazing. A+ for the staff. Can’t wait to take the next one.

The cooking classes are awesome! I just attended one with my girlfriend and it was a blast. The chef and assistant are nice and willing to help whenever they can. I learned a lot more then just what they were teaching that day. I will definitely be back for another class in the near future. The «ultimate bacon menu» is a must go if chocolate covered bacon sounds good to you.

For my BFF’s birthday I purchased her a cooking session at Sur La Table. She does NOT know her way around a kitchen at all so I thought it would be a great idea. We attended the Italian Family Favorites cooking class which had us making Chicken Cacciatore, Fennel and Arugula Salad, Red and White wine Risotto, and Tiramisu for dessert. She learned some knife skills and even how to fold egg whites. Granted she kept saying «is it done yet? Im ready to eat» and would probably have been willing to pay someone $ 20 to just make the food for her… Most of the people in our class were couples but us girls had a fantastic time. The food turned out pretty good esp considering it took 14 people to make it. One big communal pot that everyone contributes too. I though we would be broken out into pairs or smaller groups but oh well still fun. Our chef for the day was trained in Italy and had us make everything authentically as opposed to following the recipe. I enjoyed cooking authentically. She recommended some great products for us to purchase that would be great to have around the kitchen.
The store itself is sooo much fun for anyone that enjoys cooking. Granted when I first walked in we felt a little out of place for Newport and the reception we received was a little… snooty I think by the time we picked up $ 100 worth of stuff the people on the floor changed their attitude. Even my friend that has no business in the kitchen purchased a super cute apron.
The only thing I thought would have been better is if they allowed us to bring wine but im sure wine and sharp knives is a huge liability. The other thing I think is odd is that you are not allowed to take the left overs home. Im sure that it is due to health regulations. I am told though that if you bring/​buy a Tupperware they will sometime let you take it home on the hush hush.
Good luck and have fun! Classes range from $ 59-​$ 69 slightly expensive but it was worth it.

After taking a few cooking classes here, my husband and I signed up for a surf and turn date-​night course conducted by the new top chef for the store. She loves what she does, has worked for Keller at French Laundry and at le Bernadin and shares great insider stories with humor. We love this store generally and I’ve learned from the classes but Sur La Table has just taken it up to a new level with their latest hear chef. I’ve already signed up for a series of new cooking lessons.

Sometimes when I am visiting Sur La Table, I pretend I am in my own gourmet kitchen that is outfitted with every stainless steel, top of the line kitchen doo dad ever created. Then I wake up.
So, to continue the dream, I take the evening cooking classes. While you will not emerge a Top Chef, you will have a fun night with your friends, spouse, boyfriend, etc. Learning new techniques and sampling food.
The chefs are knowledgeable, the assistants are helpful and you walk away armed with all the recipes.
I have taken the chocolate class, cheese and butter and a regular menu planning class. Recommended for a night out.

I’d have to say 3.5.
I love cooking as well as eating, so I’ll write from those standpoints.
I attended the cooking class with a couple of friends.
Pros:
–food selection is good and tasty
–you get full for sure
–they give you one glass of white and one glass of red
–knowledgeable and friendly chef and staff (there were two helping)
–yum dessert
Cons:
–not enough stoves or space to accommodate three sets of groups
–I like to be hands on in cooking classes, but the cook did most of the cooking half way through. I didn’t feel that this was really a cooking class, more like a class to taste the food the chef prepared
–not enough wine to go around
–can’t take home food
–cost is high for the total experience

I have been to this Sur la Tabel so many times. My friend showed me the store years ago. I have taken many cooking classes here too. Rochelle, the cooking class manager is super nice and excited about cooking. It is so wonderful to be in a class when people are generally excited about cooking. The classes I have taken have been with Chef Sean Kilpatrick. He is very nice and alsways has an answer for my questions. The people who work here are great too. They always know where everything is!