Start the season with a fun and delicious way to expand your horizons by exploring the incredible cooking classes Ithaca, NY, offers. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or looking to refine your culinary craft, these classes provide plenty of hands-on learning experiences that connect you to the local food culture. Here’s our handy guide to three must-try options around Ithaca.

Asempe Kitchen: Celebrating West African Cuisine

Discover the bold flavor profiles of West African cuisine (think Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal) at Asempe Kitchen. Led by Chef Kuukua, these classes immerse participants in the traditional dishes and techniques that define her heritage. Specializing in the very best gluten, soy, and dairy-free, primarily plant-based West African food, Asempe Kitchen’s cooking classes combine education and storytelling known to leave participants inspired!

GreenStar Co-op: Seasonal and Sustainable Cooking

GreenStar, Ithaca’s local cooperative grocery store, hosts monthly themed cooking classes ( so be on the lookout for their latest offerings). Each class emphasizes seasonal, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients and explores a new culinary theme, such as plant-based cooking, global cuisines, soups, salads, or hearty winter meals, making it easy to find a session that piques your interest. By the end, you’ll walk away with new recipes and techniques and a deeper connection to Ithaca’s farm-to-table scene.

Wine Classes

Local sommelier offers educational wine classe at a rotating selection of area restaurants and wineries.  In these interactive classes, you’ll explore the nuances of pairing food with wines from the Finger Lakes region and other wine regions around the world. Experience! The Finger Lakes has a full schedule of tours and classes. Private wine & food experiences are also available.

Make This the Year You Master Cooking

Cooking classes in Ithaca, NY, provide the perfect opportunity to explore new flavors, refine your skills (and palette), and connect with the culinary community. If you’re thinking about New Year's resolutions, these hands-on experiences are a fantastic way to start the year right!

Ready to get cooking? Explore Ithaca’s Farm-to-Fork experiences and discover the region’s many certified farm-to-table restaurants for an authentic (and organic) taste of the Finger Lakes's rich agricultural tradition.