Are you a foodie at heart? Want to bring out your inner Bobby Flay? Then consider signing up for a cooking class. You can learn a new technique or create an edible work of art. Instructors include some of the best chefs and culinary teachers in the state, and they are happy to share their experiences and love of food with you. The best cooking classes in West Virginia listed below combine regularly sponsored events for the general public and career courses for those who want to see where their culinary path may lead.
Huntington’s Kitchen, Huntington, WV
With a community movement toward healthy living, Hungtington is the perfect place for Huntington’s Kitchen, a premier destination for learning about eating and preparing healthy natural foods without all the additives and processing that typically goes into what we eat. Originally created by Jamie Oliver’s Food Network show, “Food Revolution,” a variety of classes are offered at reasonable prices. Participants can learn knife skills, one-dish cooking, the art of using a pressure cooker, and even how to make nutritious and healthy treats for your dog. A four-day school is also offered for younger cooks between seven and 10 years of age during the summer.
James Rumsey Technical Institute, Martinsburg, WV
When you enroll in the Culinary Arts Program offered through the James Rumsey Technical Institute in Martinsburg you’ll enrolling in a school that helps build a strong foundation of Appalachian-style cooking techniques with an emphasis on wild ingredients and game. This is a unique cooking experience and former students of this program have gone one to become accomplished chefs.
My Kitchen, Morgantown, WV
Offering classes since 2010 to enhance the culinary skills of novice cooks, Chef Chris Hall combines his vast experience as a professional and personal chef with his love of teaching to create an atmosphere of learning. The limited number of spots for these special classes necessitate calling to enroll, and include learning about “Famous American Regional Foods,” “Mediterranean Dishes,” “Kids in the Kitchen,” “5 Ingredients or Less,” and many others.
The Culinary School at The Blennerhassett, Parkersburg, WV
There are many levels of classes available at The Culinary School at The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. Teachers at the school offer a hands-on approach to cooking for all ages and skills levels, and private classes are available for groups as well. Examples of classes include Homemade Pasta-making, Fondue Fun, Basic Baking, Wine 101: Fundamentals, and The Five “Mother Sauces.”
Carver Culinary Arts, Charleston, WV
Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at Carver Career & Technical Center in Charleston will be taught the fundamentals of professional cooking and techniques by certified chefs. The two-year program will prepare the student for a career in the restaurant industry, and shorter, part-time classes in Baking & Pastries and other restaurant management-related courses are offered.
