Good Life: Handbook: Cooking Classes
You Want To Be: Jacques Pépin
A lesson in bread-making culminates in a demo-ing of gnocchi parisienne. Saturday, February 12, 10 a.m. to noon; $50 for class only, $75 including lunch, or $100 including dinner. Noble, 2025 Sansom Street, 215-568-7000, noblecookery.com.
You Want To Be: Julia Child
Most popular at the Viking Cooking Schools: French cuisine. Specifically, beef bourguignon at Harrah’s and French date night on the Main Line. Harrah’s, 777 Harrah’s Boulevard, Atlantic City, and 1 Town Place, Bryn Mawr, 610-526-9020; vikingcookingschool.com.
You Want To Be: Cake Boss
Students in the Fante’s basic cake-decorating class will transform from frosting-in-a-jar slatherers into full-rose-pulling-off masters of icing. February 5, 12 and 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; $50 plus about $70 in supplies. Fante’s, 1006 South 9th Street, 215-922-5557, fantes.com.
You Want To Be: Rachael Ray
For classes in basic knife skills, “fish without fear,” and dinner for two, go to La Cucina at the Market. $55 to $140; Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch streets, 215-922-1170, lacucinaatthemarket.com. Or try Wynnewood-based Albertson Cooking School (610-649-9290, albertsoncookingschool.com), once classes resume in March.
You Want To Be: Molto Mario
Jeff Michaud hosts eight-person pizza and pasta workshops Tuesday evenings in his prep kitchen. February 8, 15 or 22, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; $175. Osteria, 640 North Broad Street, 215-763-0920, osteriaphilly.com. Le Virtù chef Joe Cicala coaches 15 students through Pasta 101. Sunday, February 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $30 (includes lunch and wine). Le Virtù, 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-271-5626, levirtu.com.
You Want To Be: Martha
Food blogger Marisa McClellan introduces preserving to newbie canners, then sends them home with a recipe and a full jar. (This month: three-citrus marmalade. Next month: vanilla rhubarb jam.) Saturday, February 26; $45. Indy Hall, 20 North 3rd Street, second floor. Food in Jars, foodinjars.com.
You Want To: Get to the Heart Through the Stomach
Sur la Table’s two local outposts offer sweet and savory Valentine’s Day theme classes: Bake red velvet, devil’s food and vanilla cupcakes in King of Prussia; a chocolate workshop in Marlton — or, simply, dinner for two in either location. Classes last 2 to 3 hours. Cupcakes, Wednesday, February 9. $69. Sur la Table, King of Prussia, 484-612-0046. Chocolate workshop, Sunday, February 13. $69. Sur la Table Marlton, the Promenade at Sagemore, 500 Route 73 South, 856-797-6572.
You Want: Your Kid to Make Dinner for a Change
Lacroix’s chefs will learn ’em and feed ’em a healthful 3-course meal. Saturday, February 5, noon. $35 + tax and gratuity. Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, 210 West Rittenhouse Square, 215-790-2533.
You Want To: Cook Like Your Friend’s Italian Grandmother
Tuesday afternoons at Moorestown’s Pizzicato are “Tuesdays with Momma,” a two-hour class in classic cuisine, like homemade tortellini. Every Tuesday, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. $25. Pizzicato, 400 Route 38 East, Moorestown, NJ, 856-778-3600.
