BootsnAll Travel Community

I live in Austin, TX and want to learn to cook Mediterranean food, but I can't seem to find any cooking classes [Mediterranean or otherwise]. Everything I have found is either a one-day 2-hr course or it is a professional cooking class. I'm looking for a once or twice a week class that lasts for 3 months or so --> basically something where I actually learn to look the food instead of watching someone else.

Surely, there are cooking classes for regular people somewhere. Maybe I'm just not searching with the right words.

Any ideas on where I could look to find something like that?

Check your local universities/community colleges. The New School in New York has lots of classes like that.

I tried that... all their classes are wine tasting and cheese eating.

Try Craigs List if there is one in Austin or similar message boards.

Ha! I already tried craigslist, which is huge in Austin.

Maybe I can find a local cooking messageboard and someone there can direct me.

Find a restaurant in Austin that serves the type of food you'd like to learn how to cook, and ask them if they know of any classes.

Alternatively, you could poke around on Chowhound.com which has an Austin forum.



Actually, yes. Definitely check on Chowhound. Looks like you have lots of options including Central Market, Whole Foods, UT Informal Classes, a restaurant called "Malaga" (sounds vaguely Mediterranean to me ) and others. Dunno if they're all super expensive. But they certainly exist.

Put an ad on Craigs list...asking if somebody wants to give the classes. .

The other place to try is Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma stores. High end Kitchen stores give classes on cooking ...maybe somebody there can direct you.

Also, see the Cooking blogs written by local Austinians...maybe somebody there would know.

MMMMmmmm...Mediterranean!

I'd go to a restaurant (or a few) and ask around. Or try and talk to the people at Phoenicia Bakery and Deli (4701 Burnet or 2912 S Lamar). Since they specialize in Mediterranean groceries, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

You just missed the Mediterranean Festival by a month, which would've been a good source to ask around. But perhaps you can contact the folks from St Elias Church to see if you can get some leads. You never know, someone may want to teach you one on one.

Good luck!

Great ideas!

I hadn't thought of actually posting on Craigslist.

I might just contact St Elias church... I would actually prefer one-on-one lessons.