I have looked for cooking classes, or even bread making, etc. to attend while on a vacation in a new place. Most of the time they are priced way out of my range, or free and way boring ~ easy ~ beginner. However this is something I would travel to lots of places for the right "cooking - baking experience! So how can I find these?

Posted By Johannah Brookwell on March 1, 2010, 10:09 PM

I'd love to take cooking classes in France - but my French is barely good enough to get me through a menu. Are there any good cooking classes in France that are taught in English?

Posted By Graham on March 2, 2010, 10:13 AM

When you are rounding up places and classes, don't forget the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in Arkansas - a stunning, comfortable mountain resort that has frequent cooking classes:
http://www.uawri.org/educational-programs/culinary-arts

Posted By Graham on March 2, 2010, 10:15 AM

I second Johannah's comments, we are planning a trip to Vietnam in November. We plan on taking an Intrepid Travel comfort tour. On that tour they list a cooking class for something like $5 a person. It just happens to be on the same day that you can take bikes to the beach so we might miss the class. When I look on the internet I can only find mention of classes that are in the $50 range - 10 times the price of a small town cooking class. (Realize that this is Vietnam, I understand that a $50 cooking class in Italy would be a complete steal.)

I wish there was a resource to find those lower cost cooking classes. i.e. $5 in Vietnam and $50 in Italy.

Posted By Iolaire McFadden on March 2, 2010, 12:14 PM

I have created a website that is called The Foody Traveler. (www.foodytraveler.com) It is about various bed and breakfasts in the United States that also host cooking classes. Would you be able to let your readers know about my site. I am starting with the United States and will eventually do Europe. Let me know what you think.

Posted By Becky on March 3, 2010, 9:42 AM

I have wanted to take a cooking class in Italy for years, but most classes are so expensive and more high end. I love to cook and think I have good knowledge, can you direct me to a few different classes? I will be traveling alone.

Posted By Terri on March 4, 2010, 11:57 AM

I just returned from Merida, Mexico and attended a one day class with Chef Sterling at the Los Dos Cooking School. The class featured Yucatan cuisine and it was fabulous. The Chef explained the history of the Mayan culture, we took a food shopping trip to the mercado and spent the afternoon cooking. Mid afternoon we ate our meal served with wine, beer and soda. Class size was limited so we were all able to experience the cooking techniques. It was the highlight of my week in Merida.

Posted By Jennifer on March 4, 2010, 2:22 PM

Also interested in "staycation" cooking trips

Posted By Erica on March 4, 2010, 2:51 PM

I too would love to find more cooking vacations that are fun, reasonable, and definitely hands-on. There are online agents that do these type of vacations, however, I've found their packages to be pricey. It's also difficult to tell what kind of class(es) you're getting for your money. (A couple of years ago my sister and I booked a package to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and it was presentation only classes. We would've done much better booking it separately ourselves and signing up for the classes we were most interested in.) Thanks!

Posted By Lori on March 4, 2010, 4:02 PM

We're planning a trip to Europe in June 2011 and would like for the trip to include a one-day cooking class. Everything I've seen on the internet is at least 4 days and very expensive. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Posted By Becky on March 4, 2010, 4:18 PM

I'm taking a 3-week honeymoon in France this summer, and I'm dying to take a few cooking classes. Like Graham, my French is also pretty much non-existent, so it would need to be taught in English. Help!

Posted By Jen on March 4, 2010, 4:36 PM

I'd love to go to cooking class while I am on my trips IF the prices are not prohibitive. I would prefer cooking classes that are only a few days instead of a week.

Posted By Ruth on March 15, 2010, 12:18 PM

I'm going to Oaxaca for Dia de los Muertos at the end of October, and would love to take a half- or one-day cooking class. There are quite a few, so it's hard to know which is worth the (rather high) price. I'm also a student of Spanish, so I wonder if it would be worth investigating a class held in Spanish. Any suggestions?

Posted By Sally on March 15, 2010, 1:17 PM

Are there any cooking schools for kids or families?

Posted By John on March 15, 2010, 1:54 PM

In response to several questions about cooking classes in France, you might want to check out Cook'n with Class, one of the few (only?) English-speaking classes there. My wife and I took a class there last year and really enjoyed it; they have baking classes, too.

Posted By Mike on March 15, 2010, 2:21 PM

I've attended cooking classes/tour in Tuscany (on 2 seperate occasions) via Tuscanway.com it is NOT inexpensive but is all-inclusive - food/wine/ guided day-trips to small out-of-the-way tuscan towns and cooking classes.

Posted By JASONMITCHELL on March 15, 2010, 2:31 PM

King Authur's Flour and Bakery in Vermont offers a wide variety of baking classes for all ages and skill levels. I took their Artisan Bread Making at Home course last summer and the 4 day course was terrific. It was geared to a wide variety of skill levels (you had to know something about breadmaking), was hands-on and was small enough (24 students ages 12 to 70ish) we were able to get to know each other. I learned new techniques, gained greater confidence in my baking and a whole new range of breads. And best of all, my favorite judges (family and friends) say my bread is now better than ever.

Posted By Glen Groff on March 15, 2010, 4:28 PM

I would like classes on Mediterranean cuisine because that's what I'm trying to eat. I looked at cookbooks for 3 Med. countries and they were all different. I love the Lebanese food I've had. Which Med. country would have Med. cuisine most like that of Lebanon? And how do I find the cooking classes?

Posted By Kathy on March 15, 2010, 4:50 PM

One in ten in the U.S. are vegetarians. I'm a pescetarian (that is, I eat only fish). Any insight on courses for the 10% ?
We'd love a travel cooking class that wasn't meat-centric!

Posted By Robin Jones on March 15, 2010, 6:11 PM

I would love to hear about Indian/Chinese cooking
classes in Beijing/Any large city in India. I want to go to India/China and a cooking experience would be one more reason to go!
I booked a cooking week in Tuscany in 2008 and it was great; not cheap but EVERYTHING was included.

Posted By Regina on March 15, 2010, 6:13 PM

The ultimate European experience is Cordon Bleu in Paris. They offer one day (and multi day) sessions for serious amateurs. I attended one that was a demo in the morning, and hands on in the afternoon. And, there was an english interpreter for all steps along the way. A once in a lifetime experience that I highly recommend.
I attended a one day class an hour outside Rome at Fontana del Papa. Very hands on, don't worry about speaking italian, you end up pointing and laughing a lot. It was overpriced, but what isn't.
/ Vancouver, Canada, amateur
One each trip I spend hours looking on the internet for one day classes. I do not care for demos, I prefer hands-on. Barcelona has a few that are advertised, but most are demo classes.
Best to ask questions and reserve in advance.

Posted By Ed Kry on March 15, 2010, 9:01 PM

I'm planning on a visit to Fankfurt in September. How do I go about locating cooking classes, especilly a one day class? It seems most cooking schools are in Italy and France but German cuisine has to be more than Brats and wursts, right?

Posted By Betty on March 15, 2010, 9:02 PM

When choosing the ideal cooking classes in Provence, be sure to check out Maisonmollansalley. Located in the charming village of Mollans-sur-Ouveze; this is the heart of the Drome and Rhone . Enthusiast and professional programs occur from March to October. Note that the house can also be rented for food and wine lovers who want a central location for adventure. Find MaisonMollans on Facebook or contact thewritecook.com or Hallie Harron for more details.

Posted By Hallie Harron on March 15, 2010, 9:43 PM

Have been looking for classes in Europe that include more than 4 days of hands-on cooking instruction (not days and days of daytrips). Any thoughts? Love the idea of a register of classes that warrent the "better business award", including costs, dates, locations, culinary offerings, etc. by country or region!

Posted By Joan on March 15, 2010, 10:04 PM

My parents (in their 60s), niece (10 yrs old), and I (29 yrs old) are traveling to Paris in June. We would love to do a family style class or demo or food/market walking tour while there. Do you have any recommendations? I emailed Le Cordon Bleu but have yet to hear from them. Oh yeah, we don't speak French! (not well anyway) Thanks!

Posted By Rebecca on March 15, 2010, 11:24 PM

Being a young, cheap, hostel-using traveller, what and where are the cheap cooking class offerings around the world? The standard European foodie spots (i.e. France, Italy, Spain, etc.) seem to be so expensive. Are there cheaper classes elsewhere around the globe? Also, I will be traveling from Korea across Asia and Europe to Hungary in the end of this year, are there any good cooking classes in Southeast Asia? Russia? Western Europe? Those places never seem to be talked about in regards to cooking classes.

Posted By Anna on March 16, 2010, 10:35 AM

This isn't a bad idea. I travel with people who have various food allergies, so eating out isn't always an option. That also means, of course, a peek at the curriculum beforehand, but that's less of a hassle than the alternatives.

Posted By James Michalek on March 16, 2010, 8:38 PM

Try the site VRBO (vacatio rentals by owners ) this is a great site to find a home or villa anywhere and I mean anywhere. The owners always go beyond the extra step to accomodate our family.

Posted By tena on March 23, 2010, 9:00 PM

I am planning a 4 day trip to see a friend in Memphis, Tennessee, and would like to augment that with some time in another Southern city, amounting to about 7-10 days of traveling. I would love to see New Orleans (although that might be a bit far?), and am interested in an educational vacation- experiencing Southern history, seeing plantations, Civil Rights tourism, etc. Also, I will not have access to a car through the duration of the trip (besides the Memphis leg), so a walking-friendly city is must.

Posted By Naomi Barth on March 23, 2010, 11:27 PM

I am planning a trip to Italy for October 2010. I would love to be able to take cooking classes throughout our trip. However I am trying to avoid big classroom setting and looking for more authentic local lessons in settings more like a local's home. Any suggestions?

Posted By brad on April 5, 2010, 11:07 AM

Authentic Italian food and cooking is experienced at Ivano and Terhi's B&B Colle degli Ulivi in Zagarolo just 26 miles from Rome. Ivano will work with you what food items to cook in his relaxed home setting complete with wine and homemade olive oil.
They run a wonderful B&B!
www.olivetreehill.com

Posted By M'Liss Hinshaw on April 26, 2010, 4:20 PM