Cooking Classes

 
 

IN-PERSON COOKING CLASSES:

In-person cooking classes are available in the San Francisco Bay Area and can be customized based on your interests and dietary preferences. Your group will love this creative and unique activity!

 

WHO ARE THESE CLASSES FOR?

  • Couples looking for a unique date night activity

  • Friends celebrating a special occasion

  • Families wanting to eat more plant-based and feel more confident in the kitchen

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Sample Class Offerings:

  • Learn a mix-and match-formula for meal prepping flavorful and nourishing grain bowls using a variety of seasonal vegetables and plant-based protein.

    In this class we will cover:

    • An introduction to knife skills & seasoning to taste

    • How to cook grains

    • Quick-pickled onions 

    • Easy preparations for plant-based proteins 

    • Quick and flavorful sauces

  • Let’s have a taco fiesta! Try your hand at making tortillas from scratch and we’ll fill them with a variety of colorful and seasonal ingredients!

    This class will include:

    • An introduction to knife skills & seasoning to taste

    • Easy and delicious plant-based taco fillings

    • Homemade corn tortillas on the stove

    • Freshly made guacamole and seasonal salsa

    • Quick-pickled onions

  • Learn the basics of making pie dough and fill it with delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables!

    This class will include:

    • An introduction to knife skills & seasoning to taste

    • Making a basic pie dough (vegan and gluten-free options available)

    • Work with seasonal produce to make delicious fillings

    • Learn to roll dough and shape galettes

    • Optional: make a delicious seasonal side salad and dressing to round out the meal!

This is just a sample of what I can offer. Have a particular topic in mind, skills you want to learn, or want to hear about other seasonal options? Let’s chat!

VIRTUAL CLASSES:

Virtual cooking experiences are available over Zoom for groups of all sizes. Learn more about unique corporate or community team building opportunities!

WHO ARE THESE CLASSES FOR?

  • Corporate teams seeking unique ways to boost morale and support wellness

  • Communities wanting to stay connected virtually

  • Couples looking for unique and meaningful date ideas

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Sample Class Offerings:

  • Happy Hour Celebration (featuring a seasonal snack and beverage)

  • Introduction to Plant-based Eating (webinar style with demo)

  • Sauerkraut and Vegetable Fermentation 101

 

PUBLIC CLASSES

Chef Melissa shares her passion for nourishing plant-based cooking and mindful fermentation with these free on-demand classes for you to watch any time! Her gift to help support your wellness journey!

 
 
 

TESTIMONIALS

Class Testimonials

Melissa taught us a delicious menu that satisfied our foodie wants! She was a delight to have in our home because she was easy to talk to, and an effective teacher. In addition to the menu she taught us, we had also asked her to teach us knife cutting skills. The entire evening was fun and insightful to learn how to prepare new recipes and to learn the proper technique for different types of cuts, how to hold the knives properly, and how to do additional things like make a garlic paste. She also was happy to accommodate our dietary needs with the menu she created. We are so grateful and highly recommend Melissa!

~ Sarah, December 2023

Chef Melissa brought an unforgettable culinary celebration to our home for my best friend's birthday. Her expertise in crafting plant-based savory galettes made the experience both delicious and educational. The inclusive atmosphere she created allowed kids to join in, making it a fun and memorable occasion for everyone. Highly recommended for a unique and delightful culinary experience!

~ Suzanne, February 2024

Melissa’s cooking classes are a true delight and lifetime gift to anyone who has ever had the privilege of participating in them. She creates a sacred safe space for participants to truly connect with their food in a deep and meaningful way. Melissa is a unique, authentically sweet, and very humble chef and cooking instructor who empowers her students with the knowledge, tools, and skills to eat and drink our way to a better and more balanced life.

~ Nayad Silva Abrahamian

I enjoyed very much Chef Melissa’s cooking classes. I am very touched by her enthusiasm, preparation and strong organization in teaching. She makes the class very easy for us to follow and we always have a lot of fun in learning. Her loving and grateful heart for Mother Nature and her vegetables makes her cooking classes very special. The dishes are not only delicious but also beautiful and full of appreciation. I also learned a lot of good tips from her for my daily cooking, such as adding some salt in the boiling noodle pot and a good way to cut the onion.

~ Anne

Each of Chef Melissa's cooking classes has been nourishing in far more ways than just the food we eat. Each recipe is simple yet flavorful to make it accessible to cooks of ANY level! Newcomers will be able to jump in feet first to make restaurant quality food and experts will find a phenomenal base to experiment with and build upon into their own creation. I walk away each session feeling light and satisfied instead of heavy and lethargic. I would recommend Chef Melissa's classes to anyone looking for great food, healing community, and beautiful presence!

~ Nick B.