New Orleans: Cooking Class & Louisiana Meal with Drinks

Summary

Cook, taste, and laugh with locals in a small New Orleans kitchen

You’ll join locals in a lively New Orleans kitchen to chop, stir, and taste classic Louisiana dishes side by side with a small group. Sip wine or local beer as you learn recipes from a pro chef, then sit down together for a meal that feels more like family dinner than class. Leave with new skills—and probably some flour on your shoes.

What’s the experience like?

Li was already chopping onions when I walked in — she waved me over like we’d met before. The kitchen felt warm and a little chaotic, but in a good way. Our chef, Chef Marcus (he said to call him just Marcus), handed me an apron and grinned when I fumbled tying it. “You’ll earn that by the end,” he joked. There were nine of us total, all strangers at first but not for long. Someone spilled flour almost immediately; nobody minded.

I picked gumbo for my main dish — I mean, how could I not? Marcus showed us how to get the roux just right (“darker than you think!”), and the smell of toasted flour mixed with peppers made my stomach growl. He poured us each a glass of Abita Amber (local beer — tastes kind of nutty?) and told stories about his grandma’s Sunday dinners. At one point I tried to pronounce ‘étouffée’ properly; Li laughed so hard she nearly dropped her spoon. Cooking classes in New Orleans really do have their own rhythm — loud, messy, full of tiny surprises.

By the time we sat down together to eat what we’d made — yam-crab bisque for starters, then gumbo piled over rice — it felt like dinner at someone’s house more than a class. The pralines were sticky and sweet; my fingers still smelled like pecans hours later. We swapped numbers with two sisters from Houston who’d never cooked shrimp before today. You leave with recipes and an apron (mine had a butter stain already) but honestly it’s the laughter that sticks longest.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on Louisiana cooking class

• Join small cooking class
• Cut, season, and prepare meal
• Cook starter, main, and dessert
• Enjoy wine, beer, and meal
• Take home recipes and apron

Top questions

How long is the New Orleans cooking class?

The cooking class lasts 3 hours.

Is alcohol included in the cooking class?

Yes, red or white wine and Abita Amber Beer are included.

Do I get to eat what I cook during the class?

Yes, you’ll sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared together.

Are there vegetarian options available?

Please advise specific dietary requirements at booking; options may be available.

What dishes can I learn to cook?

The menu includes choices like yam-crab bisque or gumbo, BBQ shrimp and grits or jambalaya, plus bananas foster or pralines for dessert.

Is this cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible.

How many people are in each cooking class?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Can singles join or do I need a partner?

Singles are welcome; you may be paired with another individual at a cooktop.

What’s included

Your day includes hands-on guidance from a professionally trained chef in New Orleans, all ingredients for your chosen Louisiana meal, unlimited red or white wine and local Abita Amber Beer (plus non-alcoholic drinks), use of an apron you’ll take home along with printed recipes from class—so you can try it all again later if you want.