Sur La Table Cooking Class

I went here on a date night with my boyfriend. We both thought we could pick up some tips and maybe learn how to cook something we’ve never tried to cook at home. First, the instructor spent a good amount of time, selling the cooking tools and even some of the food components that were going to use that night, that the store sold. I completely understand him explaining how things work, but trying to sell us items that the store sold, was not what my boyfriend paid for us to do.
I would expect for the amount of money you pay, $ 69.50 per person, that each couple would have their own items to chop, mince and cook. But no, you have to share what little items they leave you to prep, with another couple. Then also, you have to share what you cooked with the other couple.
I will say that the instructor was quite nice and seem to be very knowledgeable. But again, I have to say, that he wasn’t worth $ 69.50 per person.
I’m sure that La Sur Table makes their money on people who end up buying items in the store, either during the break they give you to shop the store or after you finished the lesson. Which I believe everyone in the class bought something. So I think that to charge the amount we paid, just for the cooking class, is outrageous and not worth it. For that amount of money, I either expect myself or my boyfriend and I as a couple, to be able to prepare all of the ingredients, instead of having it done before the class starts or having someone else in the class to do it.
If you have NO experience of cooking, then I;m sure you will learn a lot and think the class is worth it. But if you are a somewhat experience cook and/​or knowledgeable regarding different spices, even if you haven’t used them, then I don’t see taking these classes worth it.
So I have to say, I was very disappointed with the class and don’t plan on taking another one, unless the price drops to what I believe is an acceptable price for what you do and learn in the class. And that is most definitely not, $ 69.50 or higher.

This turned out to not be too great. While I am sure that many people learn a bit when they go to these classes, I did not.
Couple specifics:
(1) they had a pastry chef doing a «date night» class… the «regularly scheduled» chef had «other things to do».and when I pay $ 70 for someone, I want that someone… so bad on Sur La Table for allowing that to happen. BTW… the pastry chef did an ok job… not her fault
(2) The meat… the chef or assistants butchered the meat… and not in a good way! Beef Tenderloin is quite easy to butcher correctly… but this was hacked up… and…they had several really nice pieces… but…“those were for the staff.” Hmmm… customer service anyone?
This did not work out… probably will not be back for any classes here…

We got my husband hooked on taking classes at the Phipps Plaza location, so much so that our girls and I never had any trouble coming up with a gift idea for him. We just give him a cooking class with Chef Kyle! He raved about the classes so much that we decided to send our daughters to class too!
It wasn’t until I was in New Orleans and took my first cooking class there that I realized I had a thing or two to learn as well! I was so happy when Sur La Table opened a location near our home and that my husband’s favorite chef moved from Phipps to this location!
In the last month or two I have taken 5 classes with my neighbor and with my husband. I have learned so many tips and cooking techniques from Chef Kyle Shankman in that time that I am finding myself wanting to take every single class offered! He is a wonderful teacher, clearly very gifted as a chef but also just a natural born teacher. He clearly has a passion for what he is doing and we are lucky to have him at our Sur La Table.
Their school motto is Learn. Eat. Laugh. You will find yourself doing all of that and more. We just got home from a «Date Night — Romantic French Dinner» class with our neighbors. I am still thinking about the Caramel Pear Pot de Crème. All four of us could have eaten 4 servings each but the great news is we can, we know exactly how to make them. In the past if I had seen this recipe in a cookbook or on a blog I would have passed it on by. I just wouldn’t have trusted my skill level with any French sounding dessert. Chef Kyle made me realize there is really nothing I can’t cook. The confidence I have gained is priceless. And the crazy thing about it is I am an experienced cook!
The more I write the more I remember to tell you in this review but it’s getting a little long-​winded (which I am known for lol) so I will try to sum up the rest. When you take a class you will get an additional 10% off your purchases on the day of class with no product restrictions. If you are a new cook and you take these classes — lucky you. You will be light years ahead of your peers. If you are an intermediate or even an experienced cook, these classes will renew your passion for cooking delicious meals. Kyle taught me to make just a slight adjustment in how I hold my knife and now believe it or not, I am enjoying slicing and dicing. This comes in handy since I am an avid cook.
Sign up for a class and don’t be surprised if you see me there too! Bön Appetit!