Which Type of Cooking Class is Right for You? A Breakdown of the Best Options in New Orleans
New Orleans is more than just a city—it’s a sensory experience. Known for its music, culture, and, of course, its unforgettable food, this vibrant city makes the perfect backdrop for learning a new skill. If you’ve ever thought about stepping into the kitchen to try your hand at cooking, New Orleans is the place to do it.
With rich influences from Cajun, Creole, French, African, and Spanish cuisines, New Orleans offers a wide range of cooking classes for all interests and skill levels. Whether you’re dreaming of mastering gumbo, learning how to whip up jambalaya, or taking a beignet cooking class in New Orleans, the options are both fun and flavorful. Even better, many of these classes are beginner-friendly and welcoming to solo travelers, couples, or even groups looking for a fun team building experience.
But with so many delicious choices, how do you decide which type of cooking class is right for you? To help you choose, here’s a breakdown of the most popular class types available in New Orleans—each offering a different kind of culinary adventure.
Lab Classes
Lab classes are shorter and more focused, with more personalized hands-on experience. You create quick, bite-sized dishes that are packed with flavor. These classes typically last up to 2-2.5 hours. They are open to all ages. You might learn to make dishes like the Chicken or Shrimpy Creole, Pralines, Jambalaya, and more!
These classes are suited to all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, lab classes are beneficial as they focus on a new recipe and technique native to New Orleans. Lab classes can be a fun addition to your itinerary if you’re short on time or hone the skills to make a specific dish.
Hands-On Classes
Like lab classes, hands-on classes are a great way to learn cooking. Hands-on experience teaches you everything from scratch. Participants do everything from chopping ingredients to preparing the dishes by themselves. Each class is assigned a professional cook to guide the participants.
Hands-on classes run longer, anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours, and some classes are packaged with complimentary refreshments and desserts for the participants! This is because the menu for hands-on classes is also longer. Participants prepare a complete dinner, which they can enjoy later. Hands-on courses offer dishes like Red Beans and Rice, Yam-Crab Bisque, Chicken, Crawfish, and Shrimp Etouffee.
Given the advancement of these classes, they typically accept participants above the age of 18. You can book a morning or evening cooking class. Hands-on cooking classes also make for great date nights or fun team building activities in New Orleans, especially for groups looking to bond over something unique, interactive, and delicious.
Demonstrative Classes
If you’re someone who learns through watching while you enjoy a cool refreshment or sweet treat, a demonstrative cooking class could be for you. A professional chef demonstrates the cooking of some of New Orleans’ native dishes while keeping the crowd entertained. This is a great way to pay close attention to a professional’s techniques. You can map the flow of the recipe, too. At the end of the session, participants receive a sample to taste.
Demonstrative classes are good for beginners as they help them visualize cooking techniques.
Final Thoughts
With so many options available, choosing the right cooking class in New Orleans comes down to your time, interests, and how you like to learn. If you’re short on time, lab classes offer quick wins and big flavors. If you want a deeper dive with hands-on action, hands-on classes are perfect. And if you prefer to sit back, sip, and soak it all in, demonstrative classes bring the kitchen to life before your eyes.
No matter which one you choose, you’re not just learning recipes—you’re immersing yourself in the culture, flavors, and rhythm of New Orleans. So grab your apron (and maybe a beignet), and get ready for a delicious adventure!
