San Diego Culinary Classes

San Diego Culinary Classes is the public class arm of California Culinary Arts Institute (CCAI). CCAI trains professional chefs and pastry cooks through certificate programs. You cook in commercial kitchens with certified chef instructors. Chef Sohrab Zardkoohi comes up again and again in student testimonials.

Public classes cost $150 each and center on one classic dish. Past menus include Beef Bourguignon, Coq Au Vin with Rice Pilaf, Shrimp Ravioli with Beurre Blanc Sauce, Roman Beef Ragu with Fettuccini and French Macarons. Most lean French or Italian, with the odd detour to gumbo, sushi or Tortilla Española. Private lessons run $150 per hour per person, Monday to Friday between 2 and 5 pm. You can come alone or with one other person and build your own curriculum.

For young cooks there is a six-week weekend course for ages 10 to 16, plus birthday parties for ages 5 and up. Parties range from cupcake and pizza parties to Chopped and Cupcake Wars competitions. This place suits people who want real technique more than a social night out.