Fun organized culinary class! Chef was engaging and knowledgeable! Good location. The class started and ended on time. The culinary school was clean and well stocked. I highly suggest taking a class. read more

Shameful business practices. Had to cancel last minute due to illness and after several attempts to reschedule, no one returned my call, rescheduled my session or returned my purchase for class of two. At the very least, the courtesy of returning a call with an explanation would have been something!!! Sadly, I will not be supporting this small business or recommend to others. read more

I attended a cooking class at Culinaria on 7/24/17 with some girlfriends. Culinaria offers different types of cooking classes (i.e. participation or demonstration). We choose a participation class. I am not a great cook and thought actually creating the meal would be more helpful to me. Our instructor was very nice and was able to manage the large class well due to the 3 assistants she had. My friend and I did not succeed in making our crepes correctly on our 1st attempt. However, the environment was very supportive. It made our mess ups mildly entertaining. The only reason I cannot rank Culinaria a little higher is their classes availability and choice of classes. I had such a positive experience I wanted to sign up for another class before I left. However, I found very little availability of classes on weekends and/or that were pescetarian (vegetarian) friendly. In a nutshell Culinaria is good example of a cooking school. However sign up early if you're interested in a class. They probably won't offer it again anytime soon. read more

Culinaria Cooking School - Cooking Schools Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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Was here yesterday for the decadent dinner meal. 20 people, demo format. The food was great, the instruction good, the assistant were very responsive with Theo wine, water bread, service. It was not cheap - $90 each - but it was a lovely way to spend 3 hours with a friend who I took for his birthday present. We had crab cakes, soup, beef Wellington and chocolate lava cakes. The booking process was easy and we turned up at the time we booked. Everyone was very helpful and the vibe was relaxed. A few suggestions: send the recipes by email - paper is old school; offer sparkling water, not just plain; throw in a coffee- to-go at the end and make sure the demo is within the lens space so everyone can follow - a few too many processes were off camera so we had to get up to look. Finally, warm bread a nice touch. having said that. I highly recommend for a night out - it wasn't just couples either - of the 20 there were four sets of friends and two single people. So half only were couples. read more

We came here for demonstration dinner experience. It was so much fun. Highly recommend. We didn't have a single boring moment. All staff is very friendly and fun. The time went by fast and we left full and happy. The food was amazing and prices very reasonable. For the amount of wine we drank I really believe they should charge more! Great experience, will come back! Check their schedule for different classes. read more

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Husband and I signed up for the Perfect Pairing IV - Australia. Definitely pricey but worth it! ($90 per person) This was the demonstration course, so instead of cooking, you sit there while they cook and talk to you. We had four courses of delicious food paired with full glasses of Australian wine. I recommend getting there early so you get a good seat. There are two rows of tall tables. We got there 10 minutes before class and had to sit at the back table. They have screens so you can still see what they are doing but I would've preferred to sit in front. Everyone from the chefs to the helpers were very nice and conversational. Stephen Sands and Pete Snaith were the chefs. I am looking for an excuse to go back and try another course/demonstration! It's such a fun evening, we didn't finish till 10:30pm! read more

Came here to take out my staff for our annual Christmas party. Stephen and Pete were just incredible instructors and made the entire experience so personal and authentic. The entire staff was wonderful and the food was delicious. We had crab cakes, salmon with purple potatoes, and chocolate lava cake. The chefs gave us cool tips and taught us useful techniques. The we also got to take home a recipe book - great touch! Will definitely be back and will be recommending them to my colleagues. Thank you! read more

As an anniversary present, I got my husband and I tickets for a couples' cooking class for Greek cuisine (3 hours). We had never taken a Culinaria class before (demo or participation), so we didn't know what to expect. We had a great time though! Our instructor was an accomplished Greek chef, so everything she cooked was really authentic and delicious. The couples' class was a fun atmosphere as well; sometimes you have to work in teams to save time, and it was fun to meet other local people around the same age. All of the cooking areas were clean, and the kitchen hands do a good job clearing and prepping all of the stations to keep everything clean and safe. All of the recipes were not hard to recreate (with shortcuts) and would be items I would feel confident serving future guests. Some takeaways: -When signing up for the class, I had a lot of issues with the website and my credit card information. I had to call and reserve my tickets over the phone. -Bring a pen! There were lots of pointers and suggestions the chef gave out that I thought were helpful for the menu we were creating (and cooking in general). During the demos, our instructor gave us a lot of tips for which items to shop for and how to prep each item, which was not included in all the provided recipes. -If you have any food limitations, TELL CULINARIA BEFORE THE CLASS. They can usually accommodate you to a certain extent, especially if you are vegetarian or gluten-free. Give them time to prep; there were three vegetarians in class that didn't speak up or contacting them first, and ended up not eating the main course. -The participation class is the right amount of interaction and demo. After awhile, you do get tired of standing and it is nice to sit down, sip wine, and watch the chef instruct. -Some said the kitchen hands are stingy with the wine. We did not find that so. -You cannot take home any leftovers. Bring your appetite, you can definitely get seconds on your meal too. All in all, compared to other cooking schools, or even Sur la Table classes, you get a good value for the price for a full dinner and instruction. I would definitely come back, but would recommend some classes that offer full vegetarian or gluten-free menus. We chose the Greek class because it was low on the meat options. read more

11 Reasons Why We Will Not Be Returning to Culinaria 1.) Food poisoning. 2.) The Culinaria sign is not backlit, making it extremely difficult to locate the building at night. 3.) When my wife and I arrived (on time for our 7:00 PM class), no one was present at the front desk to direct us towards our classroom. There wasn't even a sign that let us know where we should go. Instead, we idled awkwardly in the demonstration kitchen until one of the class participants pointed us in the right direction. We did not feel welcomed and, in fact, felt as if we were intruding. 4.) Although your brochure advertised that we would be preparing a four-course meal, my wife and I were only able to cook one dish -- an angel food cake. Had I known this, I would not have registered for the course as my wife is a skilled and experienced baker. 5.) Over the course of three hours, I sifted one pile of flour and quartered one quart of strawberries. My wife and I had about 20 minutes of work, while other couples were busy for the entire time. 6.) My wife and I were forced to restart our cake twice, due to mistakes made by Culinaria staff. First, our stand mixer was equipped with a beater, not a whisk. Second, we were given watery egg whites that did not froth correctly upon whisking. 7.) When my wife discovered these problems and brought them to the attention of Culinaria staff, we were shocked by their inability to assist us. It was only when we directly spoke to the chef in charge, Robyn, that we received any resolution. Neither the assistants nor the teenage helpers were able to help us figure out what was going wrong. In fact, at one point, we were given incorrect advice that prompted Robyn to intervene directly. 8.) The recipe for the angel food cake was incomplete. Three of the ingredients included in the ingredient list did not appear in the actual recipe. 9.) Perhaps we were mistaken, but we were under the impression that the meal we would be preparing would be our dinner. As such, we did not eat beforehand. Unfortunately, we did not receive our entrees (the steak) until 9:45. While we were waiting for our food to arrive, an assistant removed our plates and wiped off the counters in front of us, before setting them back down, on a wet, soapy surface. We left hungry and unsatisfied. 10.) Worse yet, despite specifically asking for medium (because my wife is pregnant and can not eat rare meats), the food that we received was raw -- not rare, raw, as in uncooked. 11.) Hand washing, while recommended, was not enforced. read more

I am writing a review for this cooking school without having actually taken a class. However, that's because they are a disorganized mess. I signed up for a class way in advance, get there, and no one is there, no teacher or anything! After being told to wait for about 30mins, the manager shows up, explains that it was a screw up on their part in terms of scheduling and asks me to reschedule and come for another class. I decide to give them a break b/c mistakes happen and agree to come back even though they're already wasted my time with their lack of organization. I try to come to a class again a few weeks later and AGAIN, no one was there.. door locked, I'm waiting outside the building with another lady. The class was supposed to start at 9:30am and at 9:35am, a desk guy unlocks the door, has no idea about a class and nothing is ready. Poor guy tries to make some phone calls...manager on the phone acknowledges there was supposed to be a class and a chef was scheduled (again, clearly not a mistake on my part) but after wasting time for 30 mins again, too bad, no class. I mean two no-shows?!?! That's absolutely ridiculous! Figure out how to work a calendar.. outlook..google... something.. seems like Business101 to me.. It's totally rude and shows complete disregard to the customer who arranges their schedule to be at a class on time. Keep up your end of the bargain. This is the closest cooking school to me so it's too bad I'd never waste a dollar on them again.. Cook in Ashburn is great and Culinaerie is DC is AWESOME! check the out.. read more

My son and I attended the "Knife Skills and Basic Techniques" class last night. Not only did we have a great time, but we both learned some tricks and techniques that will serve us well (despite my 30+ years in the kitchen!) And from excellent bread and gourmet cheeses to hold us during the short lecture opening, samples from each of the variations of cooking methods during the demonstration phase, to consuming our sauté and stir fry efforts, we definitely ate well. The place was spotless, the attendants supportive of the instructor and students, and yes, everyone washed their hands. The instruction was professional, supportive and fun without being haughty or condescending. Tonight, we went back for the "Tapas I" class and it was even better. We received instruction on 4 different classic little dishes from Spain and worked on 3 of those dishes ourselves. Spanish cooking is one of our favorites, so we have tried this at home before. Again, we learned new techniques, came home with great recipes and ate well. The wine served with the dishes was a perfect pairing. Again the place was spotless, the assistants were quick to help and offer plates and utensils as needed, and the instruction was professional, supportive and FUN! without being snooty or selling me stuff I don't want to buy. I will definitely be going back here. Buoyed with these two successes, I'll try some of the harder stuff next--Croissants and Danish, here I come! read more

Amazing experience, awesome chefs, great wine and food pairings. I am thrilled delighted to find the school. My kiddos to hard work bunch including Keith, Linda, Ellen, Stephen wow amazing team. I will go there rest of my life. read more

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My husband and I used a LivingSocial voucher for a pasta making class here and it was really fun. The instructors were two middle aged guys who were conversational and funny. The class was good for beginners, but for people who already cook, may have been a little basic. That being said, they did a good job explaining what they were doing, we all got to prepare our own food, and the end result was delicious. Things could have been just a touch more professional (they weren't fully prepped and had to scramble around a few times to find some tools or ingredients they needed), but it was still a really fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon and I would definitely go back again. read more

My husband and I took the Charleston inspired cooking class and it was wonderful! really fun and interactive teacher. The dishes he taught weren't too hard or scary. Definitely will be back for more classes. read more

We attended Culinaria Cooking School for our friend's bachelorette party. We watched a demonstration and had a wonderful time. All of the demonstrators were very engaging. We all learned so much technique that we never realized before. The food prepared was EXCELLENT and flavorful, and more fun to have seen it be made. They served wine while we watched and they have TV screens showing the chefs cook in case you aren't in the "front row." The only wish I had would be that we would have been able to help cook! It was definitely pricey for the demonstration ($85 per person) but well worth it for the fun. We attended the "From the Market" demonstration and enjoyed it. Always great to get to take all of the recipes home as well. read more

I took the pasta making class. I was great! We made fresh pasta from 00 flour, and it was tasty. They had wine which made the night even better. The class was interactive, and the instuctor knew his stuff. I would recommend this place to a friend, and I am going to sign up for another class that has wine. read more

Not super impressed. My teen took a one-week cooking camp over the summer for $500 plus yet every single day, classes were far shorter than the three hours we paid for (class finished early 45 minutes one day, 30 mins the next, and so on... When class ended early, kids just sat around waiting for parent pickup etc.) ...Students were given NO RECIPE to cook from during the class (oral instructions only), didn't measure anything, and were taught next-to-no cooking skills. (Home ec class in middle school is way better in my opinion because the kids learn must measure correctly and learn to carefully read the recipe -- if they want the food to taste good.) Not much actual learning here, especially for ages 12 plus or child who's cooked before... My student reported only being given a "taste" of each of 3 or 4 dishes, contrary to what we had been told in advance, so just a sample's worth, not an actual meal as we had expected. ... The person answering the phone didn't give honest answers to questions about the class, either. read more

Mad Mex: Modern Mexican was a last minute booking for my date and I. Not what I expected but still a great time. Natalie (the chef) and her volunteer assistants were great. I especially loved the guacamole, wish I could've taken it home but I can always recreate. The recipes were provided and everything she did was explained except what had to be prepped in advance. I'd definitely go back but get there early for the good seats or take the more hands on class offered on the other side. read more

Had an amazing time at this hands on pizza making class. Made a dough ball from scratch and made three pizzas. Excellent chef instructor Pete showed us how to make dough, sauce, and top a variety of pizzas. We even cooked the pizzas ourselves. A great way to learn. read more

Culinaria Cooking School - We made our own pizza dough ball and took it home. - Cooking Schools Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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I just took knife skills with Chef Pete, and had a wonderful time! I can't wait to get back! The facility was clean and beautiful. The class size (8) was perfect! Chef Pete's teaching style is laid back and informative - I know that might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it really worked. He created a very inviting environment that was more discussion based vs. lecture. Allowing us as students to have all our questions answered. The stir-fry was delicious and he taught us a brand new way to cook mushrooms - that is borderline life-changing! Chef Pete is so passionate about his craft, and wants to share that passion with all that attend his classes. Towards the end when he was just in the zone I was reminded of the scene from Dead Poet's Society when Robin Williams was answering the question... "why do we read and write poetry?" ... what will your verse (dish) be?! read more

My wife got me a knife skills class here. He is a fantastic chef and amazing teacher and was very personable and easy to get along with. Goes out of his way to ensure the students understand the tech Meeks he's teaching. The entire staff there was very friendly very down to earth, not at all pretentious as you find in some places. Had a great time on the back many many more times to take some of the various classes they offer. read more

I did a Living-Social cooking class here last night and had a really enjoyable time. Things that went right: 1. They allowed "plus one's" at the Living Social price following a misleading sentence in the original offer. I thought this was really good of them! 2. The class was interactive and we really made pasta. 3. The wine was very tasty. 4. The final product was excellent. Things that were less right: 1. There wasn't *really* enough space for everyone, so the stations were crowded, especially with the 1:4 pasta maker to student ratio! 2. The camera wasn't over the stove, so while you could see the chef adding ingredients to the sauce, you couldn't see how it was supposed to look at each stage, unless you interrupted the class to ask the chef to show it under the camera. 3. The recipes we were given at the outset of the class had been 'improved' between when they were written and the class, so we didn't actually have the recipie they were using. It was frustrating to have to make a million corrections with any intern and MS Word could have done it before class began. I will come back here! But I wouldn't have paid $70.00 for this experience read more

I love this cooking school because the instructors are so accessible, offer great tips and ideas, and help me understand the process of cooking on a deeper level. I also really like their weekly newsletter blasts, which include amazing recipes that my whole family raves about. I can't wait to take another class. read more

I took a french pastry class last weekend and had a fantastic time. I think the few negative reviews on here are very misleading. This is the 4th place I've taken a class in the area, and by far it is the best. I was super impressed with the credentials of the chef. The first part of class was a demonstration. We were all able to sit comfortably, have coffee, and hear all about the technique and reasons behind the technique of french pastry chefs. She was patient, clear, and entertaining. The cameras mounted over the demonstration made it easy to see what it looked like inside her pot without crowding the counter. The second part of class was participation. I felt the room was set up perfectly. Each station had everything it needed, so again, no reason to move all over the place trying to get things done. This is not the case at other local cooking schools. The chef and assistants circled the room, answering questions, and helping out. The food we produced was amazing. We took pictures and enjoyed tasting everything. I will definitely be back! In fact, I'm already signed up for my next class, a pasta making class, in two weeks. Check this place out! You won't be disappointed! read more

We did a wine dinner for a friend of ours as a gift, and attended with them and another couple. We were very disappointed. The presentation was more of a lecture and kind of boring. The worst part was that the food was bland and poorly cooked! Our main course was fatty and very undercooked (raw). My wife and I had such high hopes,Vienna is a perfect place for a cooking school and wine enthusiast center. Unfortunately, Culineria is just plain bad. This was NOT a cooking class, it was a wine dinner. Thanks for the smug response! In your fifty plus years you should have learned good manners. This is simply my opinion. read more

My 3-star rating is a composite rating. My group of three attended a demonstration class in which appetizer, salad, main course and dessert were prepared. I would give 5 stars to the chef, Michelle Scholtes. She combined good cooking skills, superb communication skills with the most cheerful, upbeat engaging personality. Her helpers did everything they could to make the evening go smoothly and they more than succeeded. Michelle did say she was not professionally trained but everything except the shaved brussel sprout salad and hard cider gravy was first-rate. The salad could have been improved by being blanched to remove the sharp taste that comes with members of the cabbage family. I thought the hard cider gravy lacked depth but that may just be me. The other items Michelle prepared were a delight to see, smell and eat - especially the peach blueberry hand pies. I would give 1 star to the layout of the seating arrangement. The counters and seats for the participants were set in two rows. The first row was right up front where everything being prepped or cooked was clearly visible. The view of the cooking area from the second row (where I sat) was blocked by the folks sitting in the front row. There were three TV monitors placed on the walls for us to watch. But too much of the action was off-screen. We were told that if we wanted to see what was going on, we should come up and stand behind the people in the front row. Smaller class sizes allowing everyone enrolled to sit in the front row is one cure. Tiered amphitheater arrangement of seating is another solution. I would recommend Culinaria only if you can be assured of front row seating. My group was the first to arrive but another, larger group who had been there before was ushered in ahead of us. If you decide to go, see if you can get guaranteed front row seating. read more

I signed my child and his friend up for a kids cooking class as a birthday gift (for over $100). To our great disappointment, we missed the class, as we had the date wrong. I was really disappointed (and surprised) that the school wouldn't even offer us a token discount on another class. I totally took responsibility for the date mixup but thought it might be a good community relations gesture to try to accommodate us. I would hesitate before supporting a school that doesn't even try to be a good neighbor. read more

Weeknight Italian cooking class was fantastic! Marilena was funny, helpful and she made this evening very enjoyable. I will be returning, hopefully to another one if her classes. It's our wedding anniversary this weekend and we are so glad we did this! read more

Marilena Leavitt is a wonderful teacher and a talented chef! We enjoyed her class so much! She is highly organized, with all of her ingredients prepped beforehand and all equipment ready to go. At the beginning of class, each participant receives his/her own nicely-printed set of recipes for the dishes on the menu, and they obviously have been tested carefully -no guesswork on ingredients or amounts. They work -I have prepared them very successfully at home. Marilena has a lovely way with people, making everyone feel as if they were with her in her own kitchen! She is truly interested in teaching people how to cook delicious, healthy food, and how to present it beautifully with little extra effort. Marilena explains the recipes and her methods clearly, thoroughly, and logically, and she welcomes any and all questions. She makes cooking simple and accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level, and she works at a comfortable pace. At the same time, she entertains you with interesting and useful commentary about the cuisine and the ingredients as she works! Best of all, Marilena's recipes are delicious! Her menus are elegant and appealing -perfect for entertaining as well as everyday dining. You will love cooking with Marilena! - Leo and Dianne K. read more

I have attended multiple classes at Culinaria with multiple instructors (my favorite being Marilena Leavitt, but I have never had a poor instructor). My experience includes adult classes and a family class (bread-baking with my boys and their uncle). Also, my boys attended the summer camp for kids, then later the summer camp for teens. As a family, we have had 100% positive experiences! The facility is really beautiful and really clean. The instructors are very organized. The experience is lots of fun and no grunt work (the staff does all of the clean up, so you get to have fun cooking and eating ... and then go home). The variety of classes is diverse - there's something for everyone. As a final note, I would like to point out that I have attended cooking classes at more than one cooking school in the area and Culinaria is by far the best around. I'm pretty sure I would pick a class to attend weekly if I had the time! read more

This class was a real bummer. I've attended cooking demonstrations at many venues including L'Auberge in Great Falls and the value, presentation and food are all significantly better. Perhaps it is because the classes are led by chef's with years of real restaurant experience. For the money, L'Auberge is head's and tails above Culinaria. This class started slowly and simply drug on through the evening. The wine did not flow freely and we didn't eat the main course until about 9 pm although the class began at 7:30. There was a tablespoon of butternut squash amuse bouche to tide us over from 7:30 to 9 and a short pour of wine during the delay. The "chef" and kitchen staff were disorganized and seemingly unprepared. The staff also drank wine and ate while they "assisted". Bread was cut without a towel meaning the entire loaf was touched with bare hands as it was sliced. The food was also cold by the time it got to the "students". In short, if you're going to shell out the money for a class, spend it meaningfully. The experience and entertainment at L'Auberge is worth it. The Culinaria we experienced was more like watching a home cook do his best to put a recipe together. This coupled with cheap table wine not even from the region we were exploring makes the evening simply not worth it. read more

I recently purchased a class for my husband and I for Christmas. It was a pasta cooking class that was $150 for the two of us. Unfortunately I had the date on my calendar wrong and we missed the class. While this was totally our fault I'm disappointed that they wouldn't even offer us a partial refund that I would've gladly applied to another one of their classes. They reasoned that they had bought the supplies for us however the supplies for pasta are definitely not $150. My review is for their customer service, we would've been happy to spend more and buy another class ticket if they had worked with us at all. However that wasn't the case. read more

My daughter did a week long summer camp at Culinaria and LOVED it! Each day they made an entree, a side and a dessert. While they didn't get to make each item every day, over the course of the week, they got to experience many different dishes and more importantly, techniques. Each day they enjoyed eating their hard work for lunch! She was thrilled with the experience and would go back in a heartbeat. We have also had the opportunity to have cooking lessons with Mr. Batsel and bread making classes with Ms. Leavitt - both amazing, patient, kind and knowledgeable instructors. I couldn't recommend them highly enough! read more

I bought a demonstration class for my husband as a birthday gift. At the time of the reservation I was told we could show up 30 minutes early in order to get a good seat. My husband and I showed up early on the night of the class to be told "Take any open seat. The ones in the front row are reserved." We ended up with seats in the third row while the people in the reserved seats showed up two minutes before the class started. There was very little "demonstration or explanation of what was being made. There were long waits for each course and while the food was not bad it was cold by the time it was served. Disappointed. read more

I reached out to this company three times to try to schedule a teen birthday party. After my second attempt, was told the office manager would reach out. She never did. We're now happily scheduled at Cookology. Poor customer service at booking is a big red flag. If they can't get that right, I don't have much confidence they can execute their classes. read more

I encountered a little sticker shock for the couples cooking class. But in the end, I came away knowing it was worth the price. Marilena Leavitt was sooo patient with us neophytes. And her 4 assistants were what kept the evening moving along. Accolades even to whoever did their interior. The price makes this a "splurge" for us. But I hope we can return - one day. read more

We took the Ravioli Making class today. Chef Roberto was wonderful and very informative. Looking forward to taking many more classes. Culinaria is a lovely and CLEAN (very important) facility that has great customer service. Everyone we interacted with was so pleasant. read more

I have taken a number of classes at Culinaria since they opened a year and a half ago and LOVE them! The instructors are so friendly and interesting and are great at answering questions, no matter how stupid the question may be (I'm not such a great cook myself.) They have participation classes which are great 'cause you actually get to make the foods yourself... and also demo classes where you just get to sit back and relax while they make you dinner and explain what they're doing, step by step. They always serve wine with dinner which I can totally get into! LOL. I could spend more $$ going out to a fancy restaurant in Arlington or DC but I guarantee the food wouldn't be any better and they wouldn't tell me all their chef secrets! :-) I've also seen them do special parties and events - would be great as a bachelorette or birthday party! read more

I've taken two classes at this school, and I loved both of them. I learned so much each time. The classroom is clean, well-attended by the assistants, and a warm and welcoming environment. Owners Chef Stephen and Chef Pete make each student feel welcome and treat us like friends. This is the best way to spend a Saturday night, and one gets a guaranteed luxurious and multi-course meal. read more

Stephen served and prepared a Valentine's day dinner for my wife and 2 of our friends. It was 6 wonderful courses, paired with a wine to compliment, and the main meal was rack of veal. The food was perfectly timed to enjoy each course while also having time to relax and socialize. Stephen and his staff did a fantastic job with everything and made it a perfect evening for my wife and I! read more