I took a private class with Teri to bake a cake for my husband's 40th birthday, and it was the best decision ever. I've never baked a single thing in my life, but by the end of Teri's walk-through (and with lots of friendly guidance), I had a beautiful 4 tier cake to leave with. My husband was absolutely flabbergasted that I'd baked and I was shocked that it was actually delicious. He's eaten a piece daily since and can't stop talking about how good it is-meanwhile I can't stop talking about how much fun I actually had with Teri. She shared the recipe so I can make it going forward and I think I can actually pull it off thanks to the education I got at Chef Tech! read more

Chef Tech Cooking School - German Chocolate Cake - Cooking Schools Near Me - Long Beach, California

Thank you for the cooking class Chef Terri! Learned quite a bit from the class and encourage others to join. Have an open mind and be patient and you will enjoy the class and the environment that Chef Terri carefully curates. I recommend!! read more

I had my daughter's 7th birthday event about 2-3 years ago at Chef Tech Cooking School and I couldn't be more impressed and amazed how well all the staff were with 17 children aged 5-8 years old. Many of the parents thanked me of the great experience it was for them and their child. My daughter loves cooking and baking and adore spending quality time with her friends. It was a great way in celebrating her 7th birthday with a memorable birthday experience. Thank you so much, Teri, Matthew and Jorge Teri!! read more

Amazing evening learning to make pizza and sauces from scratch. All of the chefs and jr chefs were amazing and super helpful. The night went so fast because we were having such a good time. Meeting new people, learning from professionals, tons of cooking techniques, and learning a lot of useful kitchen magic tips. Chef Joseph was the best, so easy-going and super funny. No matter the amount of rookie oops in the professional kitchen, he made sure to make you feel confident and at ease about your cooking skills. I loved that all chefs respected the student chefs who were assisting everyone. I really enjoyed my experience, the energy, and vibes. We got to try everything cooked during our class. You can even visit Wilmore Wine a few doors down to buy a bottle for class. It's definitely a hidden gem that we must support more often. I'm already reserving my next class. read more

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Wow! What an amazing business, including their amazing owners and staff. We celebrated our daughter's 7th Birthday there and we were all so impressed. The chefs were so professional and fun that the kids were focused and engaged the entire time! They made everything from scratch which was super impressive and everything tasted delicious, including the food we ordered for the adults. We loved the fact that we were able to bring our own wine for parents to enjoy (and paid a low corkage fee which was totally worth it). I don't like sweets but I tried the cupcakes they made and they melted in my mouth and were delicious . Everyone had an amazing experience and time and we can't wait to be back! read more

Chef Tech Cooking School - Safety procedures before the party and cooking started - Cooking Schools Near Me - Long Beach, California

So great! A gem in Long Beach! They treat the kids like real chefs and they make great food!

I booked a private birthday party earlier this month with 14 girls ranging mostly from 5 to 9 years old, and it was a great experience! It was actually our first time there. I did some research online, communicated with Chef Tech via both email and phone call. Everything feels right, and then I just went with my gut feeling and booked the event, and I'm really glad I did that! For the kid's birthday party, we chose to do pizza and cupcakes. Every kid gets to make their own pizza and two cupcakes. The cooking process took about 2 hours, and kids were definitely busy the whole time. Sometimes they were split into different teams in charge of different ingredients, (e.g. chopping garlic, shredding cheese, making sauce, and etc), and sometimes they would each work on their own pieces (e.g. They each make their own pizza dough, put toppings on their own pizza, and put icing on their own cupcakes.) After the meal was ready, kids had about 30-40 mins to eat and celebrate at the big table and just chat and relax. There was a separate area for parents to get together, while you can still see what kids are doing at the same time, which is very nice. We also ordered some parent platters to share while waiting. I didn't realize this in advance, that even the parent platters were made fresh during the party as well, so everything was right out of the oven and tasted amazing!  We had 3 chefs plus 3 other staff to help coordinate our event on the day. Chef Joseph and Chef JT were the primary instructors for our event, and they were so good with kids! They were both very patient and funny, and knew how to attract kids' attention. All the other staff are very nice and helpful as well. With so many kids trying to cook at the same time, it's basically like a war zone, but they were able to keep everything organized, clean, and under control. I'm very impressed!   My daughter and her friends had a great time there! This is probably the easiest party I've ever planned because Chef Tech pretty much took care of everything! The whole scheduling experience was very easy and pleasant. Matt was always very efficient in responding to all my questions. I'd totally recommend Chef Tech for private events, and we look forward to returning for more workshops in the future. Jamie read more

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My ten year old took the French class for one week and had a great experience getting a glimpse into how a commercial kitchen works. He got to practice his knife skills and learn some of the classic French techniques and recipes. It sounds like he enjoyed making sauces the most and eating the quiches. Thank you Chef JT, Chef Teri and Chef Jorge read more

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Our daughters' Girl Scout troop recently took a class (11/17/19) at Chef Tech Cooking School in Long Beach to earn their cooking badge. One of our troop leaders booked the session about a month in advance. For the most part, the staff members - especially Chef Teri - interacted well with all the girls. We have a mixed level troop. Towards the end of the class, there were enough samples for the parents to try. That was greatly appreciated as I was starving! The class started at 4PM and ended around 6PM. Some of the girls do not eat meat, so they developed a vegetarian menu comprised of the following: Black Bean Corn Salad, Mac-N-Cheese, Peach Cobbler, and Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Our troop covered just over half of the price per child ($25) while the parents were responsible for the rest ($20). Some street parking or a very small lot in back. Mostly clean single gender neutral restroom available. If our troop was to ever do this again, of course, I would let our daughters partake. Not sure I would take them there on my own, though. read more

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I loved learning new techniques here. It was such a great date night for me and my husband. We learned new recipes together. Our chef & teacher had such great energy and he clearly loved what he was doing. This was my first cooking class where I actually got to cook and not just watch! Highly recommend! read more

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I am so happy I send my son to Chef Tech Cooking School where he enjoy learning how to prepare gourmet food. he is so passionate, every person working there are amazing, well-maintained. all the variety of food that they learn every week is deliciously good definitely recommended. read more

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In my opinion, working with young kids needs special power that only superhero possessed. Chef Teri and team are very caring, patience and thoughtful towards the kids, especially to our kid who won't stop commenting on every single thing. Parents are allow to stay in the waiting room, but beware of the irresistible aroma of the baked goods might make your tummy rumble uncontrollably. Highly recommended, we already signed our kid for the second month. read more

Chef Tech Cooking School - Beignet - Cooking Schools Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I am a special education teacher for LBUSD and scheduled a cooking class for my adult transition students to gain life skills. Chef Tech was gracious to come up with a unique cooking class to target student needs. My students learned a variety of new skills in a professional cooking environment. The Chefs treated us with respect and empowered each student through words of encouragement and guidance. The students walked away with lifelong skills that will increase their independence. I would highly recommend Chef Tech! The staff is wonderful and they offer a wide range of cooking classes that welcome many age groups and skills. Chef Tech was extremely flexible as well. We look forward to future classes! read more

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I took the four weeks, cooking fundamental and it was a great experience. Chef Teri and the other chef are very welcoming and helpful. Before every session, we sit down and Chef Teri breaks down the recipe, so that we understand why we do it in such order. Understanding the the 'whys' of ingredients is very helpful to becoming a better cook. During each sessions, everyone gets a hand on experience. From slicing, chopping and dicing. To frying, grilling and stirring. It's an emotional experience as you begin to cry while chopping onions! Of course, we get to feast on the fruit of our labor at the end of each sessions. So come hungry! Aprons and kitchen towels are provided, but you may bring and use your own apron. read more

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We had two kids in their summer camp. We were disappointed for a number of reasons. First, the kids are not actually taught how to follow a recipe start to finish or told the "science" or reasoning behind the steps (i.e. fold in the ingredients instead of stirring them in so you don't deflate the lighter or aerated ingredients, or don't over-mix because it will end up tough because of the gluten, etc.). Instead, they are told to complete tasks on their own, i.e. prep work, with the most basic instruction. Even then, they actually do not participate. Given the ratio of the students to staff (in the younger cohort, it seemed to be 1:6), they just watch. Worst still, only a select few of the students were allowed to participate. A number of kids were left out on a day to day basis, seemingly on purpose (more on this later). One of our kids asked Chef Harmony if they could help her in some prep work. Chef Harmony bluntly and rudely responded: "No, not you." I wish I could say this was out of the ordinary for her, but she seemed to be on edge and annoyed every time I saw her, and often she would be doing prep work on her own in a corner or at a high table (too high for the young kids to watch) and did not allow the kids to participate, or, if they did, she would roll her eyes or otherwise be negative towards them, which I saw first hand and was confirmed by the kids. Obviously, when you're trying to encourage your kids to help out or pay attention, a response like "No, not you" and similar attitude from someone who is supposed to be a trusted adult/role model does not help. Second, the instructors for the younger group were lacking in effective teaching skills and did not provide for a fun and welcoming environment. Just look at the other lower starred reviews on Yelp (and Chef Tech's responses to them) to see what I mean. Orders are barked out without explanation and frustration is often expressed freely by staff, and this is for what is supposed to be a kid-friendly experience you're paying good money for! I've already mentioned Chef Harmony's daily bad attitude. Chef Teri, the owner, is no better. She loses her patience quickly with the younger kids and publicly shames them by berating them in front of the other kids and by not allowing them to participate in the class. I get that staff needs to keep control of the class, but there is a way to speak to kids. Embarrassing and punishing them will not bring out their best. It will make them scared of you (confirmed by the kids) and they will not pay attention/participate any longer because of it. Worse yet, you'll discourage them from their budding interest in cooking. My kid actually said this about Chef Teri: "She doesn't like me." No child should feel that way about a camp director. Chef Tech should seriously reconsider having Chef Teri and Chef Harmony leading these classes as they do not make for a fun and inclusive environment. Instead, our kids felt it was stressful and that they were treated unfairly and left out often. This after paying hundreds of dollars for the privilege. On the bright side, I will say that Jorge, the other owner, was very kind. But he was not an instructor. Also, there was a bald gentleman who wore glasses who seemed to be an amazing instructor, but he was in charge of the older kids. He taught all the kids knife skills on the first day and our kids loved him. I did not get his name, but it may be Matthew Galetto as he was sending the emails about the class. He was warm, welcoming, encouraging, and seemed to really care and take pride in his work. Too bad he didn't teach all the kids! They really would have benefited from his teaching! He should be promoted to a more involved position as he has the skills for it. The two stars is for him. Long story short, if you're considering Chef Tech to give your kids some cooking skills, you're better off cooking with them at home and explaining all the nuances to them in a nurturing and healthy environment. Notwithstanding that, if you are considering signing up for classes, ask first who is leading the class. Also, it seems the classes are "open" and people can watch. I suggest watching a class before signing up to see if you're willing to deal with the "Hell's Kitchen" experience, especially for little kids. They have classes all year long so it shouldn't be difficult to watch, and they should welcome prospective students who want to watch before signing up. read more

My wife and I had a date night here and it was a fun experience. The night we went we made homemade pasta. The chefs were wonderful folks and I loved the fact that they hired young students as assistants. The down side is do not expect a gourmet meal when you are done. I have never done one of these and I would say I know my way around the kitchen when it comes to preparing a meal. I went because I had never made pasta before and this was what I thought a great opportunity. The problem is most people that go to these establishments do not know how to cook at all let alone boil water. For instance one person didn't know how to use a measuring spoon and dropped a heaping table spoon of pepper in the sauce and ruined it. Then another inept person who also didn't know how to measure ingredients dumped a truck load of salt in the sauce as well. So at the end of the whole ordeal the meal was peppery and salty. The experience was fun but don't go into it thinking your getting a five star meal. read more

Took a tamale making class with my sister. This was so much fun. Chef Terri and Chef George are the beat and you can tell they love teaching and cooking. We make 4 different types of tamales and took 16 home. Definitely signing up for another class. It is very clean and they are Covid safe. read more

Teri, Jorge and the rest of the crew were absolutely amazing. We came here because of a fundraiser for Lakewood Tot Lot (will get to their generosity later) we will absolutely come back as regular patrons. They made our Spanish cooking class so fun and informative. Log time professionals teaching a bunch of plebes could be frustrating but if they ever were i couldn't tell. They are patient and understanding and generally want to impart they're wisdom on people who want to learn a little more about cooking. All the work they did I can't even imagine how they took a bit of a haircut tonight to help some kids with a fundraiser but they did anyway. Clearly these are good people and great members of their community. If you want to support a family business; learn something and have a good time doing it, this is the place for you. We will be back. French class is looking real good in the future for us! read more

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I took a Spanish paella class here for a fundraiser and had way more fun than I'd anticipated. The owners, Teri and Jorge, are married and adorably hilarious! They have a ton of experience and a lot to teach. They were so patient with us and just friendly and helpful the whole time. The food we made was absolutely scrumptious and they made it easy for a bunch of beginners. I will definitely be back and highly recommend it! Fantastic experience, valuable knowledge, and delicious food! read more

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My partner and I are comfortable around a kitchen, we know our way around a knife, and cooking is something that comes easy to us. I've attended group cooking classes before and have gained so much knowledge from different chefs. Hell, I even was a PA for a head chef and their business. My partner also has extensive professional experience in kitchens. This is all to say that we are not green to any of this. So, we decided to take a class at Chef Tech out of curiosity. Chef Teri seemed welcoming and we were both very excited for the meal and the experience. We both love learning new techniques (can you ever stop learning?) and are always trying to broaden our horizons. Maybe it was a bad night. Maybe we just got unlucky. Or maybe I'm just missing *something*...but it was not good. Right off the bat, our group was similar to chickens with their heads cut off. Everyone scrambling to go to different stations; cutting and grilling and mixing with perplexed faces, while Chef Teri (the only Chef available for our group of 12, I believe) had to run around and help us. Not because our experiences were varied, but because the recipes were incorrect or unclear. We followed directions that omitted steps or ingredients or were told to do a certain thing at one station, then reprimanded like a child when that exact thing was done. I understand, it's difficult to help everyone when everyone is doing something different...but I know plenty of chefs who can. When the meal was finished, my partner and I grabbed our plates and took a modest amount, assuming that the large portions would allow for seconds. Before we could even finish our small plates, all the food was taken away. Weird. And oddly under seasoned. To top it off, I was micro-aggressed by the teenaged kitchen staff. Now, I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble, but it is racially insensitive to refer to an Asian American woman as "chicken fried rice", just in case you didn't know already. I didn't learn anything new, which is a shame. I know that kitchen culture is upfront and aggressive, but do not speak to me like I am a child for doing something you told me to do. I am not your subordinate and this is not a kitchen service. This is a class and I paid money for the experience and the knowledge, which is again, a shame. Reading through other reviews, it seems as though Chef Tech is amazing for kids classes and others have had lovely experiences. That's wonderful as cooking should be. However, I am probably never coming back here nor could I recommend this place to anyone I know. read more

Such a great little space to teach cooking! These classes are so fun and my kid loved it! We go to the classes twice a month!

Terrible! I have yet to receive a response from them. Terrible customer service! Was interesting in taking a class or two but not now. Going elsewhere! read more

Chef Tech is simply the best! If you have a kiddo who loves to cook, look no further than Chef Tech. The entire staff is AMAZING, KIND, HELPFUL, ORGANIZED and KNOWLEDGEABLE. My son first started by taking a Sunday Cooking Series and loved it. It soon became the gift he asked for at Christmas and birthdays. Each class, he learned something new and it fueled his love for cooking. The summer camp classes are not only delicious but well thought out, cleaver in theme and highly engaging. My son is now 15, a freshman in high school and in a culinary arts pathway program. He has now moved up to help intern at Chef Tech on the weekends and during the summer when he can and enjoys passing on his love of cooking to younger kiddos. I truly believe that Chef Tech is part of the reason my son in taking high school culinary arts and has a passion to make this a career. One last thing....I also appreciate Chef Techs consideration to budget conscious parents. I have found that their classes are affordable and well worth the money spent. My son currently has a gift certificate (they have and AWESOME special they run during the holidays) and can't wait to take a class and improve his culinary skills. Thank you CHEF TECH!!!!!!!!!! read more

My family had the privilege to attend a family cooking class at Chef Tech Cooking School located in the heart of Bixby Knolls. Chef Teri and Chef Amy taught us how to make homemade spaghetti, sauce, meatballs, fennel salad and orange gelato. When my husband was little his dad use to make spaghetti dinner every Sunday night. Now that we have our own family, my husband carries on his dads tradition. Since my father in law passed away, this spaghetti tradition is extra special in the Amorelli family. Let me tell you, this class is worth the experience. You get hands on training to make a mouth watering meal from scratch. If you have never had homemade pasta, you are missing out on this culinary adventure. The noodles are soft, melts in your mouth deliciousness. It tastes nothing like the box stuff. Although, that's great when your in a pinch, but if you take the time to make noodles from scratch, everyone will love you. I promise. Chef Tech offers workshops and classes for all ages. Whether you are looking to become pro, or just want to learn a few great meals, this is the place to learn. They also offer parties, special events and much more. If you would like more information please visit www.cheftechcookingschool.com. Looks like our traditional Sunday night spaghetti dinner just got a little better. Thanks Chef Tech! To see a video of our experience go to http://www.pinterest.com/pin/451345193877954611/ For more local reviews visit www.lakewoodca.macaronikid.com read more

Chef Tech Cooking School - Chef Tech Cooking School in Long Beach, CA - Cooking Schools Near Me - Long Beach, California

Highly recommend! Attended a cooking class with a large group and loved every minute. The space is perfect and the instructors are truly great. I look forward to returning again. read more

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My daughter had an amazing time for camp during the summer. She is already asking when she can go back. The staff are very friendly and are taking all the precautions to make sure our little chefs are safe and having fun while cooking . read more

Took a handmade filled Pasta workshop last night with a couple of my girlfriends and we had a great time. We learned how to make Tortellini, Ravioli and Cannelloni. They do separate you into groups and your more focused on your dish than the others but Chef Teri was great at juggling in between and her crew of chef helpers were also great. The time flew by so quickly and by the end it was so nice to sit down and eat all the delicious food we made together. Would highly recommend the class and I will also be returning to try another one. The staff and everyone there are so nice and helpful. Tip: you can bring your own wine or if you forget you can buy a bottle at the store next to the shop. read more

First class and I have to say.... "First class" all the way. Great chefs, great instruction, clean, friendly and most of all fun. Not to mention, the meatloaf melted in my mouth! Chef begins With an introduction then they set up different stations that we were all floating around, get to cook together and then sit and enjoy the meal we prepared! Im going to look into the kid series for my 11 year old too! read more

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Such an amazing time with Teri and her team celebrating our girl's 9th birthday. Teri and crew were engaging and kept everyone's attention all while instructing a group of 8-12yos AND they made it fun! I would HIGHLY recommend choosing Chef Tech for your child's next party! The fun and excitement of cooking- without he cleanup read more

Girlfriend's kid went to one of these and I tagged along. Not much of a cooking class, more like a party with cooking theme and the parents can stand around. Staff were okay to good, one was attentive, a couple were marketing to the parents. Not super COVID safe but parents with kids should understand that before going to indoors activities. Kid had a great time, that's most important!! read more

Celebrated my sister-in-law's 70th birthday with a multi-course Italian cooking class/dinner with family and friends. Chef Teri and her crew were really terrific allowing everyone to participate from 4-92 year-olds. They made cooking for a huge crowd seem easy and took care of all the clean-up too. We also appreciated being able to decorate, pair wines with the food (for a corkage fee), and share gifts in the relaxed atmosphere of this neighborhood gem. read more

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I just finished the Pro Baking 1, a 10 week series of classes that met once a week (Saturdays) for 4 hours. There aren't enough words to express how much I learned, not only in baking, but in terms of "thinking like a chef." Am I a chef now? Not by any stretch of the imagination but I am better for having experienced the kitchen this way. Face it, we've been backseat bakers/chefs through TV, especially this last year of COVID isolation. I went with the in-person option that had a small class size due to the pandemic and wearing masks the whole time. Chef Teri helped me understand that above all else, the goal is to make food that tastes good. She also taught me that we can take a lot of joy in baking, even as it seems like it demands so much precision (newsflash - there's a bit of wiggle room). I also learned a lot about the WHY and the HOW things work with baking, particularly as to working with certain ingredients over and over again. I learned that with rare exceptions, food (at least baking) can be full of imperfections and still be delicious. And above all else, I learned that I can make a lot of things. Honestly, i almost cried on my last day because I knew I was going to miss the ongoing experience and I would be left with only watching Food Network TV and the ever-present British Baking shows. I can't wait for the next opportunity, I am signing up asap. read more

I love chef tech cooking school workshops! They are always comfortable with a positive, friendly feel. They teach with an easy going approach that adds to the relaxing environment. You can learn to make several dishes in one night and the time allotted isn't too short or too long. 2.5 hours generally and sometimes maybe a little more. You also get to ask questions about cooking and the recipes and help with the recipe you want. They generally have some wine and you get to eat the delicious food afterwards. I love that I get the recipes sent to me after as I can then try the recipes at home. I would never be able to make these recipes up and to perfect my ability at home is exciting! I would recommend this for a night away on your own or a night with a date or familyd read more

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Took my Girl Scouts there for a second time. A fantastic experience for them. All the girls loved it, and their "Sunday Dinner" was delicious!" The instructor chef's were wonderful, kind and patient. Love coming here! read more

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I went to Chef Tech looking to see if the kitchen would be good fit for me, and took a tamale class, a weebit hungover but to my surprise there was mexican hot chocolate, citrus infused water, and coffee which picked me up, in sept of 2012 and knew after taking the one day class these two ladies had a ton of knowledge to share and are very kind, outgoing people. So after the tamale class, I was conivinced to take the pro chef series they offered and see what I could make of myself. The 24 week series was very informative, and helped me to discover how good of a cook I really am. The course gives you a general idea of all the different proteins, such as fish, chicken, etc. And also go through a lot of different vegatables. The course doesn't just teach you the basics, it gets you to start thinking like a chef and use the skills that she teaches in any kitchen you are trying to work in. At the end of the series we paired up and did a little iron chef battle, which our close family and friends come too. After taking this series, I had the confidence to go out an apply and get a job on a gourmet foodtruck called Vizzi. Chef Terri also gave me some chances to volunteer, work caters, work with beginner classes, and help with dishes and prep work, so if you put in the effort, she will put the effort in to making you the confidemt chef you can be! I recommend this series to anyone thats interested in becoming professional chef or if you wanna become the best cook among your friends and family. This series took my skills and knowledge of cooking and improved upon them greatly, to where I was able to get a job with no problem. read more

I love attending Chef Teri's classes and have been doing so on Friday nights monthly for several years. I always learn something even as a good, experienced cook already. Meeting neighbors and cooking together is really fun and encouraged by the welcoming environment. At times, the classes are a bit chaotic, but everyone has different skills and experience, so that is part of the fun. The classes I've attended aren't for folks expecting professional training (she has other classes at that level). Cooking is part of fun in life for me and doing so while making new friends, learning tips, and doing so in such an encouraging environment keeps me coming back all the time. read more

Took a cooking class last night! We learned everything there is to know about the proper way to dissemble and skin a chicken and how to prepare it. We made a delicious soup and a few other mouth watering dishes! The head Chef's were great instructors and very patient. Some of us also brought and shared wine with the group. An overall great way to spend a Friday evening! I'll be enrolling for more. read more

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I recently coordinated a team building event with Amy and Teri and it was a complete success! We worked together on a custom menu (Italian/seafood) within budget and it surpassed any expectations we might have had! The environment of the school is inviting. The staff is super friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. We had a party of 15 and each attendee gave rave reviews of their time in the kitchen with Chef's Amy and Teri! Not only did we get to learn "hands on" the demonstrations and instruction were easy to follow. After cooking we enjoyed the feast we had created and even got the recipes to take home! Thank you for making our day fun and informative! read more

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!! So easy to learn, so much fun and Chef Teri knows exactly what she is doing! I would highly recommend Chef Tech Cooking school!!!! If your looking for an amazing date night, this is the place to go. read more

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Recently took a Friday night group cooking class here and loved it. We made Fried Chicken and Waffles, something I've never tried or attempted cooking on my own, and it was delicious. Chef Teri is amazing - charismatic and insightful - and her staff was very nice and helpful, with different people assisting at each of the stations. My group was filled with first timers and regulars, no matter what level of cook, everyone seemed to get something from the class. Some even enjoyed a glass of wine while we worked/ate, adding to the homey vibe. What a nice way to start the weekend! read more