Stir Up Something Special: Cooking Classes to Gift This Christmas

If you’re searching for a meaningful gift…especially for someone who already seems to have everything…consider giving an experience instead of another thing. Experience-based gifts are often the most memorable, and cooking classes are one of the best you can give. Cooking classes invite recipients to discover new flavors, learn fresh techniques, and explore culinary traditions from around the world. A cooking class gift certificate also adds a personal touch, allowing your loved one to choose exactly what they want to cook, bake, or master in the kitchen.

Below, you’ll find a curated list of some of the best cooking schools offering an impressive range of classes. Whether you’re shopping for an aspiring chef or someone who simply loves to cook at home, there’s a perfect option waiting. From hands-on, in-person lessons to interactive virtual classes, these schools make it easy to find an experience that fits any schedule or skill level.

Each option on this list brings something unique to the table, with offerings that span classic cooking fundamentals, global cuisines, and specialized baking and pastry courses. No matter who you’re gifting, these cooking classes are sure to inspire creativity, build confidence in the kitchen, and create lasting memories long after the last dish is served.

1. Ballymaloe Cookery School

I first heard of Ballymaloe Cookery School from the Bake From Scratch Authentic Ireland issue. Some of my family is from County Cork in Ireland and I really want to visit and take a cooking class while I am there.

They offer full-time culinary instruction as well as some specialized short courses. The short courses start at 90€ (approximately $106) for in-person classes.

Click here to purchase a Ballymaloe Cookery School gift voucher today.

2. Cook’n With Class

Cook’n With Class is a cooking school offering classes in Paris, France. They start at 100€ (approximately $118). The class offerings are so diverse anyone will find something they love. Currently, they are offering Macaron classes, Marie Antoinette Dessert classes, French Bread Baking classes, Croissant Baking classes, Family cooking classes, Buche De Noel classes and so much more.

Click here to purchase a Cook’n With Class gift voucher for classes in Paris today.

3. Cozymeal

Cozymeal is an online platform that offers culinary experiences hosted by chefs, mixologists, and more. You have the option of the host coming to you for the class or you going to their venue. Plus, they offer online experiences too. They have hosts in over 120 cities worldwide with options in a wide variety of cuisines from Asian food to pasta making to vegan cuisine – everyone will be able to find something they want to take. Classes start at $39 and range depending on whether they are online or in person and where they are offered.

Click here to purchase a Cozymeal gift card today.

4. Le Cordon Bleu

Definitely the most famous cooking school on this list, Le Cordon Bleu offers Gourmet & Short Cookery courses for beginners and gourmet enthusiasts. The classes are offered all over the world including Paris, France and London, England. In London, the courses start at £60 (approx. $71). I can’t wait to travel back to Europe to take a course – the Easter chocolate class is calling my name.

Click here to purchase a Le Cordon Bleu London gift card.

5. Lets Eat The World

A unique travel experience focused on food. The trips they offer include accommodation, hands-on cooking classes, exploring the culture of where you are and a lot of the dinner and lunches. Currently they are offering ones across the globe including Senegal, and Tanzania in Africia; Seville, Uzes, Paris, Parma, and Georgia in Europe; and Oaxaca, Peru, and Colombia in South America. It’s the perfect gift for the travel-loving foodie in your life.

Click here to book your Lets Eat the World trip.

6. Masterclass

Masterclass is a streaming platform that allows you to watch classes taught by over 100 of the world’s best in many fields. Classes are offered in categories such as cooking, writing, acting, sports and more. The cooking classes are taught by chefs Gordon Ramsey, Wolfgang Puck, Dominique Ansel (the creator of the cronut) and more well-known chefs. The membership includes all the classes across all the categories for a yearly subscription of $60.

Click here to purchase your gift subscription to Masterclass today.

7. Milk Street Cooking School

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Cooking School offers a variety of cooking classes including live stream classes, self-paced pre-recorded classes, and in-person classes. These classes are great for someone who doesn’t just want to learn a recipe but new techniques and approaches to cooking. Some classes are free to take and the rest start at $19.95.

Click here to purchase a Milk Street Cooking School gift card.

8. Molly J Wilk Pastry

Molly Wilkinson is a trained Le Cordon Bleu pastry chef. She offers bespoke pastry classes in Versailles in an 18th-century apartment. Le Baking School is her online pastry school which offers multiple new classes every month, guest experts, and an amazing baking community. It costs $28 a month or $280 yearly. Don’t worry if your loved one isn’t ready for the pastry school you can also take individual classes that start at $28. Make your gift complete by including a copy of Molly’s book French Pastry Made Simple*.

Click here to purchase a Molly J Wilk gift card today.

9. Sur La Table

Sur La Table has been offering cooking classes for a long time. They are now offering online and in-store classes. Online classes start at $29 for a household. In-store classes start at $89 per person. It’s a great place to take a class and they even offer knife skills classes which are so helpful to every home chef.

Click here to book a Sur La Table class today or buy a gift card.*

10. The Chef & The Dish

The Chef & The Dish offers private and group virtual cooking classes. Once you book a class they have a kitchen assistant contact you to make sure you have everything you need for the class. At class time the Chef video calls you and you have your lesson. You can learn how to make pasta from a Chef in Italy to Chicken Paella from a Chef in Spain. Classes start at $79 for the group virtual classes. They also offer some class pass options with multiple classes over a period of time. All of their classes are a great gift for a date night.

Click here to purchase The Chef & The Dish gift card today.

11. The Dusty Knuckle Bakery School

The Dusty Knuckle is a bakery and cafe located in London, England. They work to utilize their busy operations to help at-risk youth take forward steps in their lives with on-the-job training and mentorship. The bakery school they run offers classes in pasta making, bread making and more. Classes start at £96 (approx. $113).

Click here to purchase a course at The Dusty Knuckle Bakery School today.

12. Traveling Spoon

Traveling Spoon connects travelers with local, vetted hosts to learn about culinary traditions while enjoying a home cooked meal. Who wouldn’t love to take a Moroccan Tajine class with a Chef from Morocco while you are traveling there? The classes vary in cost depending on where they are. Plus, they have now started offering online classes, which start at $50.

Click here to purchase a Travelling Spoon gift voucher today.

So, whether you’re shopping for a seasoned foodie, a passionate home chef, or someone who’s just starting their culinary journey, a cooking class gift will provide them with the knowledge and skills to whip up delicious dishes with confidence. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to bond with loved ones over the joy of cooking. Your gift is sure to be a recipe for success and unforgettable memories shared in the kitchen.