My love affair with cooking has been off and on for several years until I finally reached maturity and realized that there's no excuse for a grown man to not know his way around the kitchen. I watched as many episodes of Chopped as one human could watch and no...it did not miraculously transform me into the black Alton Brown. Thankfully, my wife and I were given a gift certificate to Shiso Kitchen from a couple friends of ours. And Chef Jess saved me from myself. We were the first ones in the class and Chef Jess was there to welcome us with a huge smile and some wise-cracking. She is soooo easy-going and gracefully moves about the kitchen as if it were Natalie Portman in the Black Swan, but instead of tutus and white makeup, it was an evergreen apron and freshly grated garlic of which she accidentally threw on me (she was in full demonstration mode). The atmosphere is relaxed and enables participants to really learn. The class is incredibly interactive and I'm pretty sure I can cook just about any dish now. In all honesty, the Thai dishes we created that evening were delicious and so easy. The group of boisterous Italian sisters who took their mom out for a surprise date were great co-students. We had such a good time; chopping, grating, cooking, laughing, drinking (much wine was had that evening). Chef Jess takes the angst out of "expert" cooking skills and has cultivated a space that allows just about anyone to tap into that inner-chef that we often hide in fear of burning yet another souffle (I have no idea how to make or spell it). We are definitely going to be taking another class at Shiso and I highly recommend anyone and everyone to attend a class there. You won't regret it and neither will your taste-buds! read more

I recently scheduled a private class for 9 as a work event - from start to finish, the event could not have gone any smoother and my co-workers were raving about the class. Although Shiso had not published a January class schedule at the time I initially reached out, Jess was very responsive and flexible in designing a custom menu (we had a few vegetarians in the group, along with some carnivores) and working around our availability (we scheduled our class from 6:30-9:30p on a Thursday). When we arrived we had a cheese and crudite plate waiting and never felt overly rushed to get started (though we soon did). I think it was a nice touch for Jess to share the story of Shiso Kitchen as well as her background as a chef before we started cooking; it made the experience feel more personal. We made four dishes: an arugula salad with roasted grape tomatoes, herb crusted pork loin with grape sauce, homemade gnocchi with brown butter and sage, and zabaglione for dessert. With a few knife tips from Jess and 9 people to share the tasks, we were all able to be involved in the cooking (and couldn't wait to get to the eating!). Overall it was a fantastic event and I think we all left feeling a little more capable in the kitchen. For a private class, the ideal size is probably more in the 6-8 range (vs. our 9), but Jess had no problem handling us all. Looking forward to attending another class in the future, thanks again Jess! read more

Shiso Kitchen was just the right thing as my fiance and two friends and I begin to emerge from COVID quarantine. To start, Jess set us at ease immediately with a concern for proper health concerns in the midst of COVID (as a note, there is still a mandate to wear facemasks outdoors at this writing in MA). And once we four got oriented, the atmosphere was so warm, inviting, and homey -- in a way we hadn't had a chance to enjoy in some time. The class/meal itself was incredible. Jess is friendly, fun, informative, and particularly patient in helping those coming to Shiso Kitchen (no matter their skill level) walk away with new skills they didn't know they needed. I appreciated everything she shared with us, but I also had a number of questions of my own (knife care, situational tool choice etc.) that she had really helpful answers to. Moving on, making the meal was heaven. She played great music, the food choice set such a nice aroma in the kitchen, the interior of the kitchen is beautiful, clean and comfortable. And of course the food tasted better than anything I'm capable of, and elevated the quality of food I've been able to make since. Bottom line, the night was amazing. Thanks Jess, we all loved it! read more

I surprised my girlfriend with a class for Christmas and we finally went last night to the Rustic Vegetarian Dinner Class. We had an amazing time! Jess is awesome! She has so much fun energy, is very knowledge and does a great job sharing all her knowledge with her students. The environment that she creates is great. Its very intimate with a small class size so that everyone is included and gets plenty of hands on time. The dishes she choose were spectacular and she even sends you home with printed out versions of the recipes. At no point during the class did I ever feel/ think to myself "i could never do this at home" she really brings everything down to a level where even the least experienced cook can understand and leave the class being able to apply all the skills that they learned that day. She makes cooking fun and easy, and instills confidence in her students to make dishes that I normally would have strayed away from at home thinking that they were too complicated. I would highly recommended checking out a few of her classes, especially if you're looking for a great date night or a fun night out with some friends! read more

I purchased a class for my mom as a Mother's Day present this year. On June 15 my mother and I were joined two other women for the Evening in Paris cooking class. Although it was in the heart of Somerville, we were able to find parking quite easily. Right away I knew we had made a good decision to attend the class when we arrived at Shiso Kitchen. The space was chic and clean. Upon arrival we were greeted by our welcoming instructor, Jess Roy. Jess was incredible throughout the entire evening - she was engaging, fun and extremely knowledgeable. Jess did a great job making each step of the process interactive, exciting and a learning opportunity. Since the class, I have been able to use a number of her tips while preparing meals at home. She gave great lessons in preparing a whole chicken, knife skills, cracking an egg and cutting an onion properly etc. At the end of the lesson we were able to sit down and enjoy or labor of love, and it was DELICIOUS! Every detail of this experience was was well thought out and enjoyable, down to the perfect playlist. I am already looking forward to our next class at Shiso Kitchen! read more

I was looking for something different to do with my teenage son, Shiso Kitchen was the perfect place! He chose "Taste of Tuscany" night at Shiso Kitchen. What a fun and entertaining night, and at the end we enjoyed the delicious meal we cooked together. The kitchen is spotless, and I love how Jess decorated the space. Jess was very organized, informative, helpful, patient, and personable. We made handmade pasta, this was a first for me, and it was so good. Then we made a Caprese Salad, Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Grape Sauce, and Zabaglione (Italian custard). We learned some new time-saving tips on cutting and preparing. Bonus, everything we did was typed up and given to us to take home so we are ready to impress our family and friends. I enjoyed it here so much, I returned to attend a knife skills class with a co-worker. This was also fun, very informative, and inspired me to buy a new knife and practice my new skills. We learned about different knives and new tips on slicing and dicing. Next up, "New England Classics" with a friend! read more

Our team recently had a corporate team-building activity at Shiso Kitchen, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The entire event was incredibly fun, and we were all blown away by how amazing the food we cooked turned out to be. The real highlight of the evening was Chef J Roy!! Her energy was infectious, and she was not only super awesome and accommodating but also incredibly knowledgeable. She made the entire cooking process approachable and fun, and her positive attitude made everyone feel at ease. It was clear she was passionate about what she was doing, and that passion was contagious. The entire team had such a great time working together in a new environment. This was truly the perfect team-building activity--a unique and memorable way to bond and learn something new. I'm already planning to make some of the delicious dishes we prepared at home! We highly recommend Shiso Kitchen for any team looking for a fun and engaging activity. read more

My boyfriend first took me here on Valentine's day and we made a Portuguese inspired pork (which I loved because that's the homeland!) with potato gnocchi and a chocolate soufflé. It was the PERFECT date night! We loved it so much we took his parents there for Mother's day this past weekend. We did the Southern Italian meal this time which was a panzanella salad, chicken with white beans, spinach and pancetta, (MORE) gnocchi with a butter and sage sauce, and an Italian almond biscuit cookie. It was amazing! Jess makes the whole experience so much fun. She is really welcoming and funny which makes the process relaxing, especially for an inexperienced cook like me. All of the recipes are decadent but are explained so thoroughly it will be easy to replicate at home. James and I are now gnocchi experts and make it all the time. Oh, and did I mention you can bring your own wine?! We love Shiso and Jess and will definitely be back soon! read more

What an awesome night! This was planned as a birthday surprise for my husband and son and did it deliver! Jess was amazing. She makes you feel as thought you've known her a lifetime. Her passion and dedication to her craft are contagious. Hearing stories of her culinary travels all over the world makes you feel part of her journey. Not only did we learn some great recipes and techniques we had opportunity to just chat and ask culinary questions about things we've always wanted to know to improve our skills. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming and Jess makes you feel so special! The menu itself was delicious and something that can be recreated in your own home. We can not wait to go back and still have not stopped talking about Shiso Kitchen and Jess to our friends and family. A wonderful person who has found her calling for sure! Thanks so much Jess and Best Wishes! read more

Shiso Kitchen does an incredible job making cooking both accessible and fun. The class will take you through, step by step, to make 3-4 delicious dishes that you get to sit down and enjoy at the end. The menus are varied and offer something for everyone (and can accommodate everything from vegetarians to gluten allergies). Jess keeps it fun and lighthearted, and invites you to bring your own wine to enjoy while you cook (I recommend bringing a bottle per person, as the class is 3 hours long). I have done 2 classes so far with Shiso Kitchen and will definitely be going back for another soon. The class has taught me some of my favorite cooking tricks, and I've returned to the recipes I've learned here several times. Prepare to leave happy, very full, and a little more kitchen savvy than when you arrived. read more

I considered myself a intermediate cook before this class, but boy was I wrong! I learned SO many great tips (how to break apart a chicken, knife skills, cooking tips, baking tips, etc) that I never knew and were SO helpful. Jess is a very engaging host and brings together the group. I really enjoyed how we made one meal together, rather than everyone having their own set of ingredients & tools. Felt much more of a group cooking class than a lecture (where everyone follows what the teacher is doing). Jess is incredibly knowledgeable beyond cooking and also answered a lot of our questions on cookware (ex. What Dutch oven to purchase) and utensils (what to use, etc). Absolutely loved the class (and food was delicious) - looking forward to coming again and even booking a private party! Highly recommend! read more

I hosted a private cooking class for me and 10 of my friends for my 25th birthday. I can say, hands down, it was the best birthday party I ever had. From the start, Jess was so responsive and very considerate of our group's various food allergies and preferences. She sent me three different menus, all of which looked great! During the cooking class itself, Jess was really fun, informative and laid back. Some of our group wanted to learn, while the rest wanted to hang out, eat, drink some wine and have a good time and Jess couldn't have balanced the two better! The food was amazing, Jess is an awesome teacher and people are still telling me how it was one of the most fun nights they've ever had. I couldn't recommend Jess and Shiso Kitchen more!! read more

We love Shiso Kitchen! I reserved two spots at the Taste of Tuscany class as a Christmas present for my boyfriend last year. The food was great, we still make the recipes today! Jess (owner and head chef) is GREAT, super knowledgeable, very friendly, and open to any questions. The groups are small so each session is intimate and you get to cook a little bit of everything. We returned to Shiso Kitchen a few weeks ago for Couple's Date Night for our anniversary. It's the perfect gift! The Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee is unreal, we're buying a blowtorch so we can try Jess's recipe at home. Classes book quickly, but not surprised that there's high demand! Make sure you call early to secure a spot. Looking forward to returning to Shiso soon! read more

I booked a Spanish Tapas class for my boyfriend and I as a Christmas gift. Originally I wanted to try the Taste of Tuscany, but the Spanish Tapas was well worth it! Jess, the owner, was very inviting and overall a fun person to cook with. She gave us a lot of great tips (things I would have never known!) and it was very easy to follow along. The small class of only 6 made it more of a laid back, intimate atmosphere which I really liked rather than sitting in a large class. Now for the food - it was absolutely delicious! We have the recipes and can't wait to try and duplicate what we've learned in the class. I only hope we can make it half as good with out her instruction! read more

A few friends and I discovered Shiso Kitchen a few years ago and always find a way to make it back once every few months. I really enjoy learning new things in the kitchen and Jess makes everything seem so effortless and easy. This time, two friends and I signed up for the Provencal French Dinner and it was nothing short of amazing. I'm definitely planning on bringing my mom in for a Christmas gift. Each class has a small number of people, so that you are able to receive detailed instructions and see step by step how these incredible meals are made. Jess deserves all the praise she receives- I will keep coming back until I've tried all of her classes! read more

What a great experience we had with Jess at Shiso Kitchen! I've been cooking for years but learned so much. Jess has more patience than a kindergarten teacher and we were definitely acting like kindergarteners. The food was delicious and designed to be gluten free. The chickpea crepes were amazing and a great compliment to our ratatouille, arugula salad and steaks with a delicious homemade sauce. The meal was topped off with a chocolate soufflé that everyone had a part in making. It was the kind of event that you can't wait to repeat. I highly recommend having an event with Jess. She's talented, experienced and clever! read more

I booked a holiday party/work event at Shiso last week. I had already read reviews before booking and felt like it was a great place. On Thursday we arrived at Shiso (6 bottles of wine in hand!). We were immediately greeted by the owner, Jess. Jess was super helpful during the event, allowing us all to have a chance to cook and learn something all at the same time! We had a party of 12 and we all got to help in multiple ways - the sweet potatoes gnocchi was the best :) Jess was super professional, helpful, and a great time. Her personality was fun and upbeat and I highly recommend going! We will 100% be back :) read more

Absolutely awesome time!! Five stars are not enough for the time we had learning to cook Thai cuisine from Jess. From knife skills to in-depth discussions about ingredients, Jess was an outstanding host and teacher. The other reservations for our class had to cancel at the last minute but so as not to inconvenience my girlfriend and I she ran the class as scheduled, giving us a private class at the group rate!! We had an excellent time and probably kept Jess up too late hanging out after the dessert course. We can't say enough about Shiso Kitchen and can't wait to go back again!! read more

My friends and I had the pleasure of taking part in a private cooking class at Shiso Kitchen. When I say we had a blast...WE REALLY HAD A BLAST! Not only did we learn a thing or four about cooking from Jess (LOL)...but they went out of the way to accommodate ten of us without a hitch. The atmosphere was relaxed...we felt like we were in our very own home...the food was amazing and Jess got the guys in our group to actually prep and cook. WOW!!!! We definitely will be back again. I highly recommend checking this place out. You will not be disappointed. read more