Where to Take a Cooking Class in Calgary

Brush up on your skills, learn something new and hang out with friends at the same time.

Step away from the microwaveable meal. It’s time to kick it up a notch in the kitchen. Learn to create healthy, delicious meals that will impress your taste buds — and your guests. These locations all offer informative cooking classes, taught by qualified instructors.

It’s time to start julienning.

Atco Blue Flame Kitchen

Learn to cook in the bright and modern Atco Blue Flame Kitchen. These instructors here know you have a busy schedule and have arranged classes that work for anyone’s schedule. There are lunch hour “Lunch ‘n’ Learn” demonstrations, evening classes and weekend classes. Weekend and evening classes are either hands-on, where guests receive guidance do some cooking themselves, or Chef’s Table events, which are demonstration classes. Corporate team building events, cooking camps for kids and birthday parties are also offered here. Atco Blue Flame Kitchen also has demonstration and hands-on classes at the South Health Campus Wellness Kitchen.

Atco Blue Flame Kitchen — Learning Centre, 909 11 Ave. S.W.; South Health Campus Wellness Kitchen, 4448 Front St. S.E., 403-245-7630, atcoblueflamekitchen.com

Cookbook Co. Cooks

Cookbook Co. Cooks is both a store and a culinary school. It has been teaching Calgarians how to cook delicious, healthy food since 1984. This venue is spacious and emphasizes that cooking can be fun, not stressful. You’ll learn everything from how to source ingredients to brewing the perfect cup of coffee to putting together exotic dishes you didn’t think you could make. Two kinds of class are offered here: instructor demonstration classes and hands-on classes. Hundreds of cooking and wine classes are offered each year and are hosted by chefs, food professionals and food writers. Private classes can also be booked. All classes include two glasses of wine that are paired to the menu by Metrovino.

722 11 Ave. S.W., 403-265-6066, cookbookcooks.com

Cuisine et Chateau

Cuisine et Chateau is located in Kensington and the classes are offered for everyone, from the total beginner to the die-hard foodie. Choose between hands-on and hands-off classes. In the hands-on classes, students are guided as they make a three-course dinner. The hands-off classes are less interactive and more about showcasing food and wine. Classes include a beverage and a recipe booklet, and many of the hands-on classes also include an apron to take home. Cuisine et Chateau also has kids programs and wine and food pairing classes.

103, 227 10 St. N.W., 403-764-2665, cuisineandchateau.com

Paintbox Lodge

Travel to Canmore for a delightful cooking experience in this boutique hotel owned by cross-country skiing champs Sara Renner and Thomas Grandi. The hotel hosts Kitchen Parties, which include a welcome glass of prosecco, cooking demo and a meal. There’s wine and beer available for purchase or bring your own bottle of wine and pay the $15 corkage fee. There’s also the option to book private cooking classes if you have a minimum of eight guests. Parties are hosted by chefs from the Bow Valley area and you’ll often find Colin Metcalfe and Aviv Fried from Sidewalk Citizen Bakery in the kitchen.

These courses sell out fast. Book in advance and book a stay in the hotel while you’re at it.

629 10 St., Canmore, 403-609-0482, paintboxlodge.com

Poppy Innovations

This group offers a variety of programs in Calgary for kids, teens and adults. You can take a six-week cooking course with your kids and learn from dieticians at the South Health Campus or the Crowfoot Calgary Co-op. Or you can choose a one-time class where both the parent and kid learn basic cooking skills. Poppy Innovations also plans “Gate to Plate” cooking classes for adults interested in preparing a nutritious meal, as well as courses in canning and preserving. (They also offer gardening classes, if you’re interested in farm-to-table style cooking.)

Various locations, 403-919-0176, poppyinnovations.ca

SAIT Culinary Institute

SAIT’s downtown cooking school has a team of instructors that are all professional chefs, as well as state-of-the-art facilities. Improve your existing cooking skills or learn entirely new ones in evening and weekend courses. SAIT’s courses include baking basics, essential cooking techniques, courses for couples and classes in preparing exotic dishes from around the world. SAIT also offers cooking, baking and mixology classes at its main campus.

226, 230 8 Ave. S.W., 403-284-8535, culinarycampus.ca

The Spice Chica

​Join Marina Mellino, a spice creator and chef, in a fun, stress-free cooking class that will take you far from Calgary. Each of Mellino’s classes take students to a new destination (like Italy or Mexico) and sometimes they correspond with one of The Spice Chica’s spice blends. These classes are hands-on and photo-taking is encouraged. You’ll learn new skills here, such as how to make ricotta gnocchi, fresh pasta or empanadas. Classes take place at Raw Canvas in Kensington where you can also sign up for paint nights.

1130 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-667-9811, thespicechica.com 

Sunterra Keynote Market

If you like variety when it comes to cooking something up in the kitchen, Sunterra Keynote Market has it. The market offers one-hour lunch and learn classes, classes for kids, and social, three-hour cooking classes where a Red Seal Chef shares recipes and techniques. Customizable private cooking classes, classes for kids and wine pairings are also offered here.

200 12 Ave. S.E., 403-261-6772, sunterramarket.com

Get a weekly serving of suggestions for how to experience Calgary's restaurants, bars and markets by signing up for Avenue’s Food & Drink Newsletter.

Related posts

5 Things We’re Excited to Eat in April

Alana Willerton

Sharon Ruyter and Erin McQuitty | Calgary’s Food & Hospitality Game-Changers 2024

avenuecalgary

Filipino Restaurant Month Returns to Calgary in April

Alana Willerton

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy Policy

Privacy & Cookies Policy
Avenue Calgary