Custom Culinary Training & Education
Custom designed for individuals or small groups. In your home, workplace or other venue we offer classes and instruction on the topic or theme of your choice. We use only original, seasonal menus and recipes developed by our Chef and food-friendly wines hand picked by our Wine Expert.
- Guided Dinner Parties
- Hands-on Cooking Classes
- Cooking Demonstrations for Parties or Events
- Chef and Sommelier-led Food and Wine Pairing Seminars
"Maria is one of my 'top pick' chefs when looking for an instructor who will teach professional
culinary skills infused with the fun factor! Students walk away from her classes having learned so much
as well as having a great time."
Susie Pope, Owner
Cedar Gables Inn
Napa, CA
Guided Dinner Parties
- You and your guests will work alongside our Chef to create a one-of-a-kind meal of seasonal dishes paired with appropriate wines. We'll work with you to design a menu that will focus on the skills and recipes that you want to learn and we'll use only the freshest, in-season products from local producers. Many of our customers find this a wonderful way to cap a day or weekend of touring Wine Country. If you have wine that you've purchased, local or not, our Chef and Wine Expert will know the exact foods to pair with each one. If you need advice on what wines to buy or want us to provide the perfect wines for each course, we can help you with that too!
Hands-on Cooking Classes
- Whether it's a Knife Skills Workshop, a Mediterranean Feast or a Primer on Pastry we can create a class for you. One-on-one or groups, our kitchen or yours, whatever you want to learn we have a program for you. With curricula that focuses on technique, ingredients and cuisines; we can teach you skills not just how to follow a recipe.
Cooking Demonstrations for Parties or Events
- Is your group or business looking for an interactive and entertaining activity for your next conference, meeting or party? Consider a cooking demonstration. We'll provide the fun, the food and copies of all recipes demonstrated. You just need to bring your appetite!
Chef and Sommelier-led Food and Wine Pairing Seminars
- We provide wine and food education for the serious oenophile who wants to learn more or the beginner who just wants to learn - and everyone in-between. We'll work with you to create a fun, non-snooty food and wine experience tailored to your tastes and level of expertise. From the simplest concepts of pairing wine with food to the more complex explorations of the subject, our Chef and Wine Expert will customize a class for you or your group.