Home » Services » Cooking Classes

Cooking Classes

Private Lessons

Whether you’re a kitchen novice wanting to learn basic skills or a seasoned veteran looking to delve into advanced techniques, private lessons focus on your needs and flavor preferences. We’ll spend 2-4 hours per class in your kitchen to get you on your way toward reaching your culinary goals. Private one-on-one lessons are intended to fit your needs and can be scheduled in the morning, afternoon, evening or on weekends. Contact us for more information about private lessons and a complimentary quote.

Group Classes

Not only do group classes present new techniques and recipes, but they’re designed to be fun too! We’ll help you determine the number of participants that can comfortably fit in your kitchen and will work with you to create custom menus that cater to your group’s preferences and skill-level.

Group classes are great for

corporate events
family fun
bachelor/bachelorette parties
birthday parties
holiday gifts
girls’ night in

Demo classes feature a series of recipes demonstrated by the chef and enjoyed by you and your guests throughout the class. Each participant will go home with a recipe packet featuring the class menu.

Hands-on classes present an opportunity for your group to cook together with the oversight and help of the chef. At the end of the class, everyone can eat together, and each participant will go home with a recipe packet featuring the class menu. Contact us for more information and a complimentary quote.

Testimonials

I couldn’t be happier with Becka’s home-cooked meals. Everything she prepared, from salad to steak, baked appetizers to fruit tarts, had incredible, rich flavor that made me linger on each bite. You can tell that Becka puts tremendous effort into each of her dishes and into the meal overall, striking a balance of tastes that complement each other from the start to the end of the meal.

Jeff R.

Becka was amazing and the food was spectacular!! I recommend using her it was so good!!! Thanks for a great meal!!!!

Angie W.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a dinner that was fully prepared by Becka – it was delicious! It was very apparent that she put a lot of thought into the menu – preparing items that were in season and offering a diverse array of courses with fantastic ingredients and flavors. Each course was perfectly portioned and the flow of the meal from appetizer, soup, salad, fish, meat, cheese and dessert was superb!

Laura B.

Becka was great! She cooked dinner for a bachelorette party and the food was fantastic. She was easy to communicate with and prepared a list of menu items to choose from. No complaints here!

Lori N.

Becka has cooked many meals for my family. She is professional, listens to our needs and preferences, and makes the entire family happy (which isn’t easy with two teenagers).

Jan V.

Two of Becka’s greatest assets are her demeanor and her knowledge of the food she is preparing. She is always cheerful and fun to be around; no food question is too basic or too complicated for her.

Clint E.

From our first point of contact, Becka navigated our budget, menu preparation, communication, payment, and execution seamlessly and professionally (leaving the kitchen cleaner than she had found it). Anyone would be lucky to have her and Plate & Platter in their kitchen!

Lizzie B.

Each morning, I wake up looking forward to the delicious dinner I have in store just waiting for me to “arrange”. For someone to loves to eat and considers the kitchen to be for retail-value-only, I recommend Becka’s cooking as a life-saver.

Jan V.

Chef Becka did a remarkable job. She made a 100% gluten free 3 course meal and was so delightful to work with every step of the way. I have already booked her again for an upcoming brunch!!

Hazel W.

Becka is fantastic! Not only did she cook an in-home meal for 15 in a makeshift kitchen, but when I called her the day of with concerns that the “condos” we were staying at lacked the necessary tools to actually produce a meal, she told me that she had actually suspected that might be the case and had brought everything she needed to whip up (in a way that felt effortless) the most delicious 3 course meal our group of 15, very hungry women ate all weekend.

Lizzie B.

Book Me

Sample Classes

Knife Skills 101

In the kitchen, your knife is an extension of your hand. Learn how to use it properly and efficiently to produce various knife cuts and beautiful dishes.

Knife basics and uses
Slicing, dicing, and mincing
Sharpening and maintenance

Saute, Grill, Roast, and Broil

Knowing the difference between these dry-heat cooking methods and when to use them will make all the difference in your meal preparation.

Sauteed Wild Mushroom Medley
Grilled Soy-Honey Flank Steak
Roasted Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette
Broiled Garlic Bread

Steam, Poach, and Braise

Knowing the difference between these moist-heat cooking methods and when to use them will make all the difference in your meal preparation.

Steamed Sweet Potato Mash
Poached Halibut with Lemon Caper Butter
Braised Chicken Thighs with Fennel and Olives

Egg Cookery

Perfectly cooked eggs can be hard to achieve but with the proper techniques and cooking times, you'll be able to cook eggs in a wide variety of methods.

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
Soft and Hard Boiled Eggs
Runny Poached Eggs
Perfect French Omelet
Mushroom and Spinach Frittata

Seafood Cookery

Seafood makes for a quick and easy dinner when you know how to cook it. Here you'll learn methods to apply to many different kinds of seafood.

Mussels steamed in White Wine
Seared Scallops with Beurre Blanc
Garlic Shrimp with Paprika
Salmon en Papilotte

Mother Sauces

When you learn the five Mother Sauces of classical French cooking, you'll be able to produce many more, as they are the base for many spin-offs.

Bechamel
Espagnole
Hollandaise
Tomato
Veloute

Versatile Sauces

A dish without a sauce can be delicious, but a dish with a sauce can be exceptional. Learn to build a few modern sauces that are versatile enough for many dishes.

Citrus Beurre Blanc
Shallot and White Wine Reduction
Mushroom Cream Sauce
Cherry Port Wine Sauce

Modern Plating

The artistic beauty of perfectly plated food isn't only for restaurant dishes. Learn the art of combining colors and textures in space to create your own edible masterpieces.

Brunch Basics

Whether you've got guests in town or a few friends coming over, it's always a good idea to have a variety of great brunch recipes at the ready.

Potato, Leek and Goat Cheese Frittata
Brioche French Toast with Strawberry Sauce
Spiced Candied Bacon
Sweet Potato Hash with Breakfast Sausage and Toasted Pecans

Substantial Salads

Salads don't have to mean watery lettuce with a few tomatoes on top. Learn some inventive combinations to create tasty salads you can enjoy with or as a meal.

Zucchini Ribbons with Parmesan, Pistachios, and Lemon
Peach and Arugula Salad with Burrata con Crema, Aged Balsamic Vinegar and Crispy Prosciutto
Heirloom Tomatoes with Spring Onions, Marcona Almonds, Mozzarella, Basil, and Buttermilk Chive Dressing
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

Soups for all Seasons

People often think of eating a warm soup on a cold winter day, but there are many options for soup throughout the year. Learn just a few in this class focused solely on soup.

Corn Chowder with Bacon and Chives
Chilled Cucumber and Jalapeno Soup
Butternut Squash Soup with Pancetta and Sage Croutons
Italian Ribollita

Small Bites

If you ever need a few ideas for last-minute party appetizers, learn a few of the best crowd-pleasers that come together quickly and easily.

Watermelon Salad with Mint, Aged Balsamic and Sea Salt
Spicy Crab Salad on Pumpernickel Toasts
Chorizo-stuffed Mushrooms
Curried Chicken Salad in Endive

Greens, Beans & Grains

Greens, beans, and grains should be a healthy part of every diet; learn ways to make them taste great so you'll be going back for more!

Quinoa with Wine-Soaked Cherries and Citrus
Bulgar Wheat Salad with Cucumbers and Tomato
Sauteed Kale with Canellini Beans
Spiced Black Beans
Lentil and Tomato Ragout

Paninis with Panache

These aren't your regular old lunchmeat sandwiches. Get ready to learn some exciting flavor combinations to make some of the best pressed paninis around.

Grilled Flank Steak, Gruyere, Caramelized Onions, and Arugula Aioli
Prosciutto, Brie, and Fig Spread
Grilled Portabellas, Roasted Red Peppers and Mozzarella
Turkey Patties with Shallot Jam and Herbed Goat Cheese

Fresh Pasta

You can't beat fresh pasta made from scratch. In this class, you'll learn the basic dough and a few complementary sauces.

Fresh Pasta Dough
Papardelle with Mushroom Cream Sauce
Tagliatelle Bolognese
Butternut Squash Ravoli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce

Grilled Pizza

Pizza on the grill gets those beautiful grill marks and smoky grilled flavor. It sounds difficult to manage, but once you learn how to grill your dough, you'll be making grilled pizza all the time!

Sauteed Oyster Mushrooms, Blue Cheese, and Aged Balsamic on Butternut Squash Puree
Zucchini, Caramelized Onions, and Parmesan on White Pie
Sausage and Mushroom with Red Sauce
Mascarpone-Ricotta and Fresh Berries with Honey Drizzle

French Classics

Be transported to France with some of these French favorites you're sure to enjoy.

Chicken Liver Pate
Mussels steamed in White Wine
Coq au Vin
Apple Tarte Tatin

Italian Favorites

Dine at home as if you were enjoying a meal in Italy. Learn some traditional favorites that always delight.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Mozzarella, Basil and Aged Balsamic
Parmesan Polenta with Mushroom Ragu
Italian Meatballs in Homemade Marinara
Tiramisu

South American Feast

Take a tour through some of the most popular South American countries with this menu that represents a few different styles and flavors.

Peruvian Cebiche
Chilean Chicken Pino Empanadas
Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
Dulce de Leche Flan

Traditional Thai

Explore the sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors of Thai with these traditional favorites.

Pork Lettuce Wraps
Tom Yum Soup
Shrimp Pad Thai
Thai Chicken and Basil

Savory & Sweet Pies

When you know how to make perfectly flaky and tender pie crust just about anything will taste good inside of it. In this class you'll learn the basic dough and a variety of fillings.

Spinach and Feta Pie
Salmon and Leek Pot Pie
Triple Berry Pie
Coconut Cream Pie

Chocolate Desserts

Chances are you know a chocoholic or two. Learn some delicious desserts that will make any chocolate lover swoon.

Chocolate Creme Brulee with Strawberry Balsamic Salad
Triple Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate Truffles dusted in Cocoa

Gourmet Tailgating

Just because the game is on doesn't mean you have to have hot dogs and potato chips again. Learn a few gourmet tailgating recipes to elevate your party and wow your guests.

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Pickled Red Onions
Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Tarragon Aioli
Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Salad
Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad

Holiday Cookies

Holiday baking doesn't have to be stressful. In fact, it can be tons of fun with these simple and delicious holiday cookie recipes.

Melting Moments
Gingerbread Men
Mexican Sugar Cookies
Cookie Cutter Butter Cookies

Gingerbread Houses

Make a fun family tradition out of gingerbread houses each year. In this class, you'll learn sound construction tips and expert decorating tricks.

Gingerbread
Glaze
Construction
Decoration

Baby Food Made Easy

Some infants start on solid foods as early as 4 months. Be prepared to make healthy meals and snacks for your baby at home with this class that presents options for ages 4 months - 2 years.

Fruit, Vegetable and Meat Purees
Introducing Spices and Herbs
Introducing Dairy and Honey
Healthy Snacks and Desserts