My son and future DIL live in San Francisco and I’m thinking of gifting them an Asian Cooking Class gift certificate. Just wondering if anyone has gifted a cooking class and if there is anything I need to look out for. I do see some in SF that look like they might work. TIA
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I have done it but I knew the place I was gifting to pretty well - enough to know it would be worthwhile!
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My friend gifted me a class (and she then went to it with me) and I really enjoyed it! I’m sure there are reviews online from wherever you choose.
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My husband has given surprise gift of Sir La Table cooking classes (which we both attend). It helps that he knows our schedule. Having said that… our kids sometimes gifted us show tickets (and once a cheese making class)…. and the date has always worked without calendar conflict.
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See if you can gift them a certificate for a cooking class and they can choose the date/class they want. We received that from S as a gift a few years ago.
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I’ve heard the Sur La Table cooking classes are informative and fun. If someone gifted me a cooking class I’d be delighted.
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Yes, that is my intent. I just wasn’t sure if there is something I needed to look out for, not evn sure what that would be. I know some come to your place, but they have a tiny apartment I think they would rather join others at one of the established places to learn to cook Asian. I have sent some messages to a couple for additional details on a gift certificate which wasn’t really shown as available on their website. We shall see what comes back, if anything.
I personally would only purchase a cooking class for someone to attend - not that someone comes to your place and teaches you there. Part of the fun is being in a fun kitchen space maybe we other people and relaxing outside of your home. My opinion!
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I agree, I think you have fun with other couples and make friends there.
#1D and SIL gifted us a King Arthur Flour class; it was a lot of fun. I would, however, give them a certificate for a class of their choice.
I received a birthday gift of a gin crafting class at a local distillery from the girls and their partners. I made a custom gin — best gift ever.
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I gifted one of my kids a Sur La Table cooking class a few years ago and it was great.
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We did it for our son and his GF when they were studying abroad, and they could choose the date they wanted to attend. The best part is when they came home and cooked us an amazing meal based on what they had learned in class
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My D and SIL love them. I’ve given them several over the years. I’ll probably get them another GC for one in SF this year.
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My daughter has attended several cooking classes at Eataly. I gift them to her, as they are expensive. But she enjoys them a lot.
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Just checked out their web site. Lots of Black Friday specials. Love their sense of humor; Black Friday specials included Set of 4 Red Wine Glasses as well as a Set of 4 White Wine Glasses with the only difference being the color of the wine in the glasses.
(Maybe they should just call them Reversible Wine Glasses.)
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My husband and I have done several Sir La Table cooking classes. They can be expensive. So we prefer it when we find a sale. And ideally with a menu that seems like we won’t be hungry when done…. that makes it a nice “eating out” date night.
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I have done this on more than one occasion. When I have done it for a single person, I have given them two classes so they have the choice of going once with a friend (often the choice when the class involves a sit-down meal at the end) or twice alone. Doesn’t sound like this is your situation!
One time, the recipient swapped the class for something the place sold. (This was a local cooking school, not Sur La Table). I was surprised as the giftee struck me as someone who would love a class, but I was also thrilled that they got exactly what they wanted. So if you are unsure, a place that offers this flexibility could be a good option.
At many places where I have taken a class, especially if they specialize in a certain cuisine, they offer a lot of ingredients that may be hard to source or specially prepared by them (and not coincidentally, used in the dishes we prepared in class!) . You may want to increase the amount of the gift certificate a little bit to allow them to purchase these and replicate the dishes at home.
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Cooking class tip - our Thai dinner instructor put all the ingredients (from nearby Asian market) on the counter, let us take photos to aid our shopping for recipe recreation at home.
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I’ve gifted cooking classes to my kids (who enjoy cooking). I’ve also gifted specialty classes to my husband, e.g., local butcher shop had a meat cutting class. Recently, I bought a pasta-making class at a charity auction (it was for four people). I’m inviting a good friend of mine as well as her daughter and my daughter (they are BFFs).
I think the key is to make sure the recipient of the gift is interested in the class topic and also to check out the place that’s offering the class.
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