As long summer days turn to shorter fall days and we find ourselves in our homes instead of outside of them, we often turn to our kitchens for fun and excitement. It’s the perfect time to sharpen your cooking skills or learn about a new cultural dish. We’ve collected a few options for your consideration.
Taste of Asia Pacific, Tacoma
Asia Pacific Cultural Center on South Tacoma Way presents Taste of Asia on the first Saturday of every month. The class starts at 11:00am with fees of $20 for APCC members and non-members pay $25. Come prepared to eat what you make! Philippines: September 5; Rapa Nui: October 3; Tokelau: November 7; Mongolia: December 5. Register at asiapacificculturalcenter.org/tasteofasia
Bayview School of Cooking, Olympia
Bayview offers a tantalizing array of culinary classes that emphasize the fresh flavors from our own Puget Sound region, and ethnic cuisines from around the world including Indian, French, Italian, Asian, and more. bayviewschoolofcooking.com
East Kitchen, Buckley
East Kitchen, located in Buckley, teaches cuisines from an array of cultures: Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese, Chinese, Middle Eastern/Mediterranean, and Korean foods. This woman-owned business can come to you or you can come to them for classes on Friday nights and throughout the day on Saturday at the Buckley Culinary Center. eastkitchenwa.square.site
Maggie Magee’s Bake Shop, Fircrest
This neighborhood gem offers hands-on cookie and baking classes. These classes are held at the bakery and cater to the beginner cookier or people just looking to have fun learning a new skill. Walk away with six cookies and a lot of knowledge to use at home in your own kitchen. maggiemagees.com/online-menu
Olympia Food Co-Cop, Various Members
This member-owned, not-for-profit grocery store co-operative has two retail locations and a variety of cooking classes offered at their member’s locations like GRuB Farmhouse and Grist Urban Stone Mill Flour Shoppe & Grainery. From pie making to wheat sourdough baking classes, from tamales to ceviche, you have a variety of class opportunities. olympiafood.coop/events
Star Center Venture Kitchen, Tacoma
A dedicated demonstration kitchen, the STAR Center Venture Kitchen is operated by Parks Tacoma. They host recurring, budget-friendly culinary workshops (often around $10 per session) covering everything from knife skills and basic techniques to global cuisines and 50+ senior-focused classes. parkstacoma.gov/cooking-at-star-center
BY LYNN CASTLE