Consider Yourself a Cook? Brush Up on Your Skills at These 13 NYC Cooking Classes
Julia Child famously said, "Always remember, if you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always pick it up. Who's going to know?" Well, you will. But that's no big deal. What other people will know is if your food tastes delicious and is well made. They may not know that you dropped the lamb, but they can tell if something is under or overcooked. And since you consider yourself a cook, it may just be time to brush up those cooking skills and add new recipes to your arsenal. Here are some of our favorite picks for cooking classes in New York.

Put the fun in fundamentals in this technique-based class

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You're never too old or too experienced for a brush up on your basic knife, skillet, cooking and roasting skills. And this class is exactly that—back to the basics. Bring a bottle of wine, an open mind and a positive attitude and you'll learn something new that will last with you in any kitchen.

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Steam, roast, sauté, repeat

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Most cooking classes focus on appreciating cuisine and recipes with an emphasis on fundamentals. Here, it is the reverse. Rather than learning how to follow a recipe, you'll practice basic cooking techniques like roasting, sautéing and steaming until you can cook perfect dishes every time. Remember: perfect practice is better practice.

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My big fat Greek home-made cooking class

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A famous Greek saying goes like this: Boukia kai syghorio. "One bite and all is forgiven." Aka one bite and you're asking for forgiveness for indulging in such deliciousness. That is the essence of Greek food. In this tailored class for foodies, you'll learn how to prep easy, healthy meals in under 30 minutes so you can enjoy healthy eats like the Greeks do. Brush up your recipe collection by learning new ones from these Greek mother approved, home-made dishes.

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Cooking is an art; baking is a science; combine the two and you get French pastries

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To master making French desserts, a chef needs to know that unlike other baking, this is part art and part science. In this class, you'll brush up on important techniques to make that perfect, flaky pastry crust, proportioned cream filling and flavor pallette so your desserts are the talk of any party. Great for both beginners and well-seasoned chefs and bakers, this is a class any aspiring good cook should indulge in.

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Test your taste buds with this food and drink pairing class

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Your food is only as good as the drinks you pair it with. Okay, that might not be entirely true, but a good drink makes all the difference. In this class, you'll put your taste buds to the test to sip on a variety of beer, wines and spirits before heading over to taste food prepared by a professional chef. Then you'll combine the two tasting experiences to see what works best for your next menus.

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It's all about technique and time for quick puff pastries

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"Quick puff pastries" is actually an ironic term—they can actually take a long time to make and an even longer time to master. This class helps chefs sharpen their techniques and work faster by emphasizing the use of modern tech (i.e. the food processor) and unique rolling techniques to do the work for you. Here, you'll learn how to make an assortment of savory and sweet treats from a Tomato and Anchovy Tart to a Bistro Apple Tart.

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Indian cooking is more than just curry

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Foodies, of course, know that Indian cuisine is more than just curry—there are tons of healthy, spicy options to make delicious food. If you're looking to learn how to make authentic Indian food, look no further. This class introduces you to five staple Indian dishes—Potato Samosas with Cilantro-Mint Sauce, Braised Fish in a Tamarind-Coconut Curry, Saag Paneer (spinach curry with fresh cheese), Chana Masala (chickpea curry) and Homemade Indian Roti (soft flaky bread)—and how to prep them using the best Indian spices and cooking techniques. Oh, and did we mention it's BYOB?

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Expand your horizons by trying this Afghan cooking course

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Self-described chefs like yourself are probably very open-minded when it comes to both trying and learning how to cook new cuisine. And since you live in the greatest city in the world, you have access to all types of food from all types of cultures. So why not try this Afghan cooking course, where you will prepare a decadent four-course meal with both familiar and exotic ingredients. Leave with a full stomach hungry for more as well as a booklet of family recipes, a starter kit of specialty ingredients and an inside scoop into an underappreciated cuisine.

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Sharpen your breakfast and lunch skills by taking this brunch cooking class

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Sweet, savory and paired with a mimosa or two or three… you get the idea. Learn to twist classic brunch recipes and sharpen up your technique to chop up your favorite ingredients to create mouth watering brunch staples.

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Mixology 101

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You could blame it on the alcohol, but this class is crazy fun for foodies who appreciate a good cocktail. Experiment brewing potions to make a dull evening a fun one or a fun evening an even better one by concocting the best mixed drinks and beverages for your next soiree.

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Sharpen up your knife skills

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When it comes to cooking, safety comes first. Whether you're an assassin or a chef, you need to have stellar knife skills—unless you don't mind having 7 fingers instead of 10. Here, work with fruit and vegetables of different sizes to get a firm grip on cutting up food. In this case, that food is French.

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Four courses and a cooking class

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America's favorite pastime of family dinners is all but lost, yet it doesn't have to be. All it takes is one extraordinary meal to gather everyone around the table. In this family-oriented class, you'll learn to prepare a full-course meal in just one evening with a partner in crime/cooking. Focusing on a healthy repertoire, the menu consists of Bibb Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette and Asian Pears; Cedar Plank Salmon with Blood Orange Glaze; Roasted Asparagus, Peas, and Basil; Herbed Quinoa; and Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberries Soaked in a Balsamic Reduction that will have everyone begging for seconds.

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Unleash your inner cookie monster

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Fact: milk and cookies are the best combination of all time. There's just no way to dispute this. We love cookies any time, any day, so it's time to up your cookie game. From cookies easy to prepare to cookies more ambitious in nature, you'll always have the most delicious goodies at any bake sale or potluck. Also: you can eat these bad boys all class long.

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