Flavors on Fire

Flavors on Fire is a cooking studio in Katy, west of Houston, at 1806 Avenue D. Owner and executive chef Tim van Ee grew up in the Netherlands. He cooks rustic European food with Thai, Indian and Vietnamese influences, much of it over open fire. Chef de cuisine Shannon Sheikhi brings Turkish and Persian flavors to the kitchen.

Cooking classes are fully hands-on. You cook each dish from start to finish, with some prep done ahead, and then everyone eats what they made. Ingredients, tools, aprons and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Classes are public, so you share the kitchen with other guests, up to 15 people. There are kids classes too, plus camps during summer break.

The studio also runs chef's table tasting dinners. At those, the chefs cook in front of you, often on Big Green Eggs, and you don't have to cook. It also sells prepared meals. Groups of 10 or more can book a private event and choose the menu, the drinks and how much of the cooking they do themselves. BYOB isn't allowed, but you can order wine there.