My class this evening with Tatiana (spelling) was really great. She was very informative. Her and other coworkers were very great at answering all questions covering an array of topics dealing with the kitchen. Not just centered around the dish. It was an opportunity to soak up all you could to help you become better, safe, and healthier in the kitchen. The sales attendants all three were amazing. Me and my hubbys, two include another couple , dish came out very amazing. You have to have a good arm for risotto. That's all I'm going to say. I do wish we wore gloves, despite washing hands. But I get it. I made it. I enjoyed and I'm going to return. This was a nice experience for our bday date night. Thank you all. read more

I visited Sur La Table with some coworkers for a team-building day, and we had an amazing time. The chef, Jaelyn, was patient, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. As someone who already enjoys cooking, I was thrilled to learn new techniques I can't wait to try at home. The food we made was delicious--especially the coffee short rib chili, which I was skeptical about but ended up loving. The only downside is that, since it's not a restaurant, you can't take food home. However, we were given the recipes, and I'm excited to recreate everything soon. I'm already looking forward to returning with friends! read more

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If you get a chance to take a cooking class here, do it! My friends and I had an absolute blast with our wonderful instructor Lisa, who worked very closely with us to make sure all allergens were accounted for. It was so fun--and the foo read more

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Do not book classes here. I booked a Valentine's Day cooking class at the Alexandria location and they canceled it right before Valentine's Day, offering no alternatives, rescheduling options, or meaningful accommodation. Just a last-minute cancellation that completely defeated the purpose of booking a holiday experience. What's worse: they advertise and sell classes before they even have an instructor confirmed. If they fail to staff it, you're simply out of luck. As of writing this review, the canceled class is still listed on their site as if it's available, which is misleading at best. They'll happily take your money, cancel at the last minute, waste your time, and move on. If you're booking a class for a special occasion, especially something time sensitive like Valentine's Day, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. read more

I recently took a group of seven to a ravioli cooking class at Sur La Table in Alexandria, and while the chef and support staff were friendly and knowledgeable, the experience fell short of expectations. The space was far too cramped for the 15 participants. Instead of working comfortably in teams of four as advertised, we were assigned two-person tables, leading to constant jostling and bumping into each other. When I raised this with a staff member, I was simply directed to check the event listing for team size details--disappointing to say the least. Timing was another issue. After completing the cooking portion in just under two hours, we were told to take a quick break, but it stretched to 25 minutes. When we finally sat back down, some of us had to wait another half hour as the pasta finished cooking, by which point the staff was already preparing for the next class. This led to a rushed end, standing to eat while being hurried along. At nearly $100 per person, I expected a more organized and comfortable experience. To management: please consider prioritizing guest experience over packing the room to capacity. This could have been a much better experience with a little more space and attention to timing. read more

Sur La Table - Ravioli making - Cooking Classes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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We took a cooking class "Taste of France" - such a fun date night!! The chefs were helpful and had everything set up so nicely. Each bite was so delicious it left us wanting more, however, and we would have loved more food! read more

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My friend and I came for the Lunar New Year cooking class for my bday on a weekend. There were about 15 people in our class, so we cooked on induction stove tops, not on the actual stove. The class was $89 per person. We made soup dumplings, stir-fried long life noodles and vegetables, Chinese long beans with chili and garlic, and ginger ice cream. The instructor was firm about cleanliness especially since we were cooking in small groups with strangers, which I appreciated. Still can't take leftover food home, so come with just enough appetite to finish everything. I think the long beans needed to be parboiled before cooking, because they needed to be cooked a little longer. There wasn't anywhere for us to sit while we ate, so we had to stand while eating. Definitely where comfy shoes since you're standing the entire time you're cooking. During the last hour of the class, another instructor came in and started prepping for the next class, so the room got a little busy. There's cameras pointed towards the stovetop to show what the chef is doing for those who aren't close to the stove to watch it on a mounted TV. I would suggest coming on a weekday, so maybe it will not be as packed. read more

We attended a date night steak dinner cooking class for our wedding anniversary. The instructor was wonderful and explained everything. The dinner turned out fantastic. We had a great time. read more

OMG!!!! We had the best time. I threw a private surprise party for a dear friend. I invited 15 guest. To say we had an amazing experience would be an understatement. The staff consisted of 1 chef and 3 helpers. Everyone was super friendly and kept the mood light. Our guest had a range of experience in the kitchen. Everything was step by step so even an person who has never even boiled water would be able to contribute to the meal. One of the best things about the meal was how simple it was to prepare. Nothing we made contained more than four to five ingredients, so it would be super easy to recreate at home. Another highlight of the night was the cooking tips chef shared with us. They will be useful for almost every meal you make. Everyone in our group had a wonderful time. No doubt we'll be back as a group and individually. read more

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I never leave reviews typically, but I am so shaken up right now I feel the need to. We had one of the worst experiences shopping here all because of this employee named Bennett. All we asked was if an item could be retrieved from the back that we wanted to purchase. The item was only on display, but there was none that we were able to just grab ourselves straight off the shelf. Without even acknowledging us he gave us a glare and turned away quickly and disappeared. When he came back he had the box in hand and already seemed so upset just because he had to go to the back. He has to be one of the rudest people I have ever met. There was no altercation and no need for how aggressive and rude he was. Not to mention he was throwing our items aggressively all over the counter as if we had done anything. But we had not done anything other than ask for assistance. Truly such a terrible experience and we will not be shopping at this location ever again. I hope his day gets better so he doesn't ruin anyone else's experience. read more

I was hesitant to attend a class here due to the reviews, but let me tell you, they did not fit ! Lisa and Ellis were excellent. and the class was well paced. We had fun, they were helpful and patient ! If you are questioning attending a class here please do not ! I already signed up for another class. Well worth the money. read more

I purchased an overpriced handheld garlic press for $50 for my wife. It broke on first go. I didn't keep the receipt (was Christmas shopping), but usually they can find it on your credit card. They wouldn't even do an exchange. Everything in this store is massively overpriced and the quality is poor. read more

The dim sum class we took was poorly done. The space was cramped, our party of three did not have enough space or tools to accommodate us all. There was no instruction, we all could've made this much more skillfully in our own kitchen. The instructor followed a piece of paper, did not explain any of the ingredients, and obviously was not skilled in leading a class. By the time we ate anything, the food was cold, clammy and tasteless. There are no stools for each individual so we literally stood for two hours and then ate standing after the two hours was over. perhaps this was a one off and other classes are better, but I don't think I will give it another chance. read more

The dim sum class I attended at SLT in Alexandria VA was not a cooking class. I learned nothing about the preparation or ingredients or which tools to use -- it was simply a step by step meal preparation program. The ingredients were all measured out in unmarked plastic cups. Many of the ingredients were never identified -- for example we were told to combine the plastic cups set out for the dumpling sauce. No idea what was in cups. There was a chef, who did not demonstrate the steps -- he read them from a piece of paper. He was not familiar with the heat levels of our wok. He said put on high, so we turned it to 10. He then said 5 is high enough. He then came around and turned our wok up to 15 because our food wasn't cooking. We never saw what the food was supposed to look like because the chef does not cook with you. The website says that there may be up to 4 people in your group. However, the stations are too small for four people and one person often had to step away and could not even observe the process. My party of 2 was paired up with another very nice party of 2. However, the other groups had only three, so the ingredient levels were measure for 3 people, not four. My group had to cut up dishes that were meant for 3 so that we could all get some (there was more than enough for the price of the experience -- but that isn't the point -- we got less for the same money). In the end the food was edible, but not very good. The pork dumplings lacked seasoning -- they were bland, cold, dry and mealy by the time we ate them. The mystery sauce couldn't save them. The steamed rice rolls had no flavor at all -- except for the soy sauce we were given to pour on them after cooking. The broccoli and the custard tart were pleasant. I can't recommend this class because I didn't learn anything, the food wasn't very good, the staff demonstrated moderate knowledge and the space is too crowded. read more

Good selection of holiday specials. Was able to find what I was looking for. Very friendly and helpful staff and they helped us alot.

The class size is way too large for the space. It felt rushed at times. Very lengthy break times throughout the class. But the biggest issue was our party having to be divided to make groups of 4 due to so many uneven group bookings. It should be in the booking instructions to book in even number groups. We had a group of 3, and 1 of our friends had to join a party across the room to accommodate the group requirement of 4 people per group. It made the experience much less exciting and enjoyable. read more

I had a blast at the cooking class--picked up some new skills and had a great time! I'll definitely book another session next time I'm in town. read more

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Good selection of holiday specials. Was able to find what I was looking for. Very friendly and helpful staff.

very poor customer service . unhelpful to rude staff at the Alexandria old town location.

Extremely disappointed. I went here for a date and date didn't show. Asked if I could get either store credit or a refund. I understand that I might not get the full amount, but I was expecting something back. read more

Received a gift card from our son and DIL for Christmas. I was very excited as I had wanted to try it for some time now. I needed to change the date of the reservation that my DIL chose which was extremely difficult to do and even though I gave the customer service agent my contact details, it was sent to my DIL. On to the main event. Instructor made the dessert which was the best item. Pad Thai was extremely simple and bland. Overall the experience was just meh and certainly not worth $180. read more

I took a pie cooking class. The main reason I took it was because I needed to work on my crusts. I always burn them. The chef Lindsey was great and gave many tips throughout and answered questions. The bonus is it only had 6 people total and was discounted at 48 for the class. I don't know how I would feel about a full class because the intimate setting really made it ideal. I learned a lot of new things. Understand when you take a class they will promote their products. They will even give time during the class to walk around show you the store for the items they use. I have to admit that I did purchase a spatula spoon and a pie wheel afterwards. The hand held pies and the open face pies were interesting. read more

I've taken two classes with Chef Brea at this location and both were amazing. I took the braided bread class and macaron class. Both were technical recipes but she makes it fun and approachable. She's also very down to earth and basically a comedian, which makes the whole experience even better. She shows you baking tips that really ensure your bakes turn out beautifully. I will definitely be back for another class some day! Definitely recommend their classes, even for beginners! read more

Sur La Table - Cooking Classes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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There is something special about niche stores. You leave out more knowledgeable about the purchase you just made. Everyone at Sur la Table is always so nice and knowledgable. I've found this to be true no matter the location. I recently purchased a wok here and I learned a little something while I was there. I'm glad I purchased it here instead of the a Bed Bath and Beyond. I would have made the wrong purchase and wouldn't have known how to care for it. This location usually has great sales and items you can't find anywhere else. They also offer cooking classes. Everyone should take at least one class if they want to learn something new. This day, I went to this store twice lol. I purchased some spices, wok, french fry cutter and a julienne shaver for my carrots. As someone once said, you're only as good as your tools. :) Until next time my friends. read more

Sur La Table - Racked up today - Cooking Classes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Husband and I have taken the 3-part confident cooking series, a fall veggies course, and a thai cooking + knife skills class. We enjoyed each class a lot, though admittedly the fall veggies one the least because it was a full class of ~16. That was squishy, but at least everyone was nice. I don't understand the other reviews basing price on amount you eat. If you just want to eat, go to a restaurant. The main reason to take a class is to learn from it. Plus, after each class, the two of us were plenty full--every meal had plenty left for people to take seconds (I often took thirds!). Granted, maybe the store has listened to older reviews and has increased portion sizes, but I still see reviews that are just a month or so old complaining, so... If price is still a problem, you can always wait until a week or two before a class you are interested in (but has available spots) takes place because the store often makes those classes 50% off. ~$35 per person for a 2-hour lesson from a pro, plus dinner, is an excellent deal, no matter how you look at it. We have learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and eaten a lot at these classes. Shopping around with a little discount on top of already-discounted stuff and experts to help you pick the right stuff was a nice bonus as well. Will definitely come back. Shout-out to wonderful chefs Lindsay Leopold and Rebecca Robin. read more

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My boyfriend and I took a Surf & Turf cooking class at this Sur La Table. It was a fantastic date night and we learned some great cooking techniques. The class was led by a professional chef and there were three other instructors/assistants who helped out. We worked with another couple to make beef tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce, seared sea scallops with a blood orange vinaigrette, blasted cauliflower with lemon and chili, and chocolate whiskey souffle. Everything is pretty much diced and measured out for you and you go through the recipe steps/follow the instructor's directions to make each of the dishes. While I wish that not everything was sliced/measured out and that each couple had their own burner, it was a good opportunity to interact with other people. It's a fun, interactive class and you learn how to make dishes that you'll be able to recreate at home. Students receive a 10% discount coupon to use at the store for a week after the class. read more

Sur La Table - Surf 'n Turf cooking class - Cooking Classes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Took a cooking class here & it was absolutely amazing. Our chef was great and very helpful. He explained everything and more. The food was great and everything was laid out perfectly. Natalia was also amazing. Everything felt very covid friendly also. read more

My guy and I attended a steak class here on a Friday night and we were so excited! We arrived a little early and walked around the store. There are so many nifty gadgets that you would never think you would need, but I wanted to buy everything! After you check in, you pick a place around the ginormous island and are paired with another couple. Choose wisely because you will be sharing cooking duties with them. Fortunately for us, we paired up with a couple who enjoyed Mac n cheese just as much as us! :) Our chef was a very funny guy originally from Portugal. He did a fantastic job of showing us some tips and tricks throughout the cooking session. He was also very engaging with the group. We made a bourbon caramel sauce for ice cream, spinach salad, rosemary potatoes, and fantastic steak with a red wine sauce. While the steak was cooking in the oven, they gave us time to walk around the store. If you attend a cooking class you receive 10% off anything in the store that is valid that day only. You also received a discount if you book future classes. Afterwards, we came back and it was time to eat! My favorite part! And this is where Sur La Table loses a star. Everyone stood to eat. I asked about a chair or something to sit on and I was told that they are stacked in the corner, but they're too short for the height of the counter. Okay. Then, as far as I could tell, no beverages were provided. I thought maybe that it was me, but my guy said the same thing. It was weird. These won't prevent me from going to another class in the future, but next time I'll be a little more prepared. Overall, this was such a fun date idea. I don't know how we did it, but the chef helped us make one of the yummiest meals ever. read more

I took a cooking class here. The chef was an awesome instructor! I believe her name was Chef Andrea Norman. She was patient, helpful and a very good instructor. The dishes we prepared were dishes that I believe I can easily reproduce at home. The nonstick pan we received for taking the class is a wonderful addition. We made chicken breast with a white wine and sage sauce. We also made a spiced chickpeas dish with salmon salsa...fantastic! I made crepes too! I can't wait to try this for my next gathering of friends! The class was small. You get a sauce pan and coupon for the store. read more

So I was so excited when my boyfriend said he and I were going to do a cooking class at Sur La Table. I have wanted to do a cooking class for quite some time with him. We cook all the time. We love the kitchen and I have been fortunate to work with a celebrity chef in the kitchen at special events so I always love learning new stuff, tricks, techniques and flavors. Of course I scope it out before hand to try and glean what we get for $158 a couple. The entire description is slightly misleading as you somewhat think you and your mate will be cooking a full meal - till you get to the bottom and read "You will work with other students in groups of 4" - which is all well and good but for $80 per person and to get 2-3oz of pork tenderloin at most - I would not call it a satisfying dinner. My boyfriend and I left to go eat an appetizer somewhere else. No wine - because they cannot get the liquor license. At least it would be nice if couples would be allowed to bring in a bottle. And, much of the class is focused on the 10% you can get off in the store for that night only - yet, most of the products Sur La Table sells, you can get at BBB with a 20% discount. We made pork tenderloin with a swiss chard stuffing (pancetta, onion, garlic and raisins), polenta and mushrooms and for dessert? poached pears with vanilla panna cotta and reduction sauce where we only pitted the pears and shaved them. All told the cost per meal on this was no more than $12-15 per person and it honestly was not worth the money. It does not get much cheaper than polenta which came out cold as we prepared it long before the pork tenderloin. The instructor Ashley was great. She was lively and personable and very knowledgeable. The kitchen assistants also kept everything moving. The 2.5 hours went by fast but I just thought I would get a little more. If you are just getting your feet wet in the kitchen - yes it might be worth it. If you are an experienced cook, I think you can probably find more in-depth cooking classes with a little more enjoyment. Also, if you are a full class of 16 - you literally have no elbow room - if you are a lefty like me - find a corner. read more

I had absolutely a great time. Lindsay is a very professional chef! Can't wait for an another class. I went for the Octoberfest dinner class, my entire life have been cooking this food, learnt from my grandma and mom, learnt new tricks! Thank you! read more

Sur La Table - Cooking Classes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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The Sur La Table cooking class was one of the best dates we've ever had. Yes, it is pricey, but so is eating in the DMV period. We made scallops, steak, a salad with a homemade dressing, and a chocolate cake with a soft center. It was all amazingly delicious. The head chef and the kitchen assistants were SO nice and helpful. It was just a great experience all the way around! read more

I took a knife skills class last night with Chef Rebecca (5 years as a chef, just a baby in chef years). If you have any experience in the kitchen, SKIP THIS CLASS! It was a total waste of money and they were pushing products the entire time. The other people in the class were extremely inexperienced, so they did learn a few things. But for me, someone who enjoys cooking and does it regularly...this class was useless and all of the products being pushed were over priced. Our labor went into preparing vegetable stock for them and a rather disappointing salsa and chips. They don't have a liquor license so there's so no wine. Just water and coffee. The chef was entertaining but I found the information lacking. She barely covered any knife safety skills, no cutting board cleaning, nothing about specific techniques that you'd learn from a more experienced chef. My sister took a class that was $20 more and they had a 4 hour class with tons of teaching, wine, a beautiful meal, and a chef who had 40 years under his belt. read more

Sur La Table - The "salsa" we prepared the chopped ingredients for. The kitchen assistants in the back finished making it - Cooking Classes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Private group cooking class was a huge success. I hosted a private class for a group of business partners and clients, and I have to say that it could not have been nicer. Chef Davide was excellent - knowledgeable and fun. Everyone agreed it was the best cooking class they ever have taken. We had a wonderful evening, and our tapas meal was delicious! read more

I bought my sister a cooking class at the Alexandria, VA store for a combination Christmas and birthday gift. I called ahead to make them aware that my sister is a vegan and to make sure that I was choosing a class she would enjoy. I was assured that the only thing she would not be able to eat pm the "healthy-ish weeknight menu" would be the salmon. When we arrived, we were the only two in the class and the chef was not aware of my sister being a vegan. While she did swap out real butter for coconut oil in the cookie recipe, none of the other recipes were modified. I thought that since there were only the two of us in the class and I DID tell them ahead of time, they would have, and could have, made other adjustments. We were told that we would not be able to bring any leftover cooked food home with us. Needless to say.. I was unable to consume a pound of pasta by myself at this 11:00 am class. The only thing my sister could eat was the roasted kale. She was a good sport about it, but since this was a gift for her, I was bummed that she couldn't enjoy more of the food. Since that's all she could eat... I let her have most of it (although I think that was the best part of the meal) And I truly do not understand what difference there is between taking leftover COOKED food home from this class and taking home leftover food from a restaurant that was not consumed. What a waste! This review is not a reflection on the Chef, as she was lovely and very informative... but more a review for the organization as a whole. I doubt I will sign up for any more classes. Not being able to take food home afterward was a real killjoy, since we could not consume it all there. read more

I went into the Alexandria store soon after it opened and picked up a butter knife pretty mother of pearl handle $5. The girl switched it at checkout for cheap glass one and wrapped ot up on paper. I never went back and never forgot. Stay away from these "people". read more

I unexpectedly had some free time on Sunday morning, and checked the internet which said there were still seats available for a class at this site. I showed up. The class hadn't started, but they said it was "too late" to sign up on the day of the class. Nowhere was there any indication you had to sign up well in advance of the class. Customer service was of no help when I asked how much in advance one needed to sign up! Forget this place if you have a spontaneous attitude towards life! read more

My first time at a cooking class. Great chef, but too pricey for the food we ate...$158 a couple and we had to have dinner afterwards somewhere else. read more