Hands-on cooking and baking classes in Santa Monica
Welcome to The Gourmandise School
Since 2011, The Gourmandise School has grown into the Westside’s largest recreational cooking school. Located in downtown Santa Monica, we offer small, hands-on cooking and baking classes for all skill levels, from date nights and knife skills workshops to kids’ camps and multiweek professional-level series. Our professional chef-instructors emphasize seasonal, sustainable cooking and strong foundations in classic culinary technique.
West LA’s largest recreational cooking school with hands-on, technique-driven cooking and baking classes for beginners to professionals.
Celebrations, team building, and fully customizable for your group. Our hands-on events are designed for every skill level.
We offer cooking & baking classes for kids and teens. During the summer, we offer camps for kids (ages 8-12) and teens (ages 12-16).
Our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen is available for filming, photo shoots, demonstrations, teaching, recipe testing, etc.
OUR SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
THE WESTSIDE’S LARGEST RECREATIONAL COOKING SCHOOL
Escape the ordinary and make unforgettable memories together in the kitchen! Our Date Night Classes are hands-on, fun, and designed for couples who want to learn new culinary skills while enjoying a delicious meal with wine pairings. Spend an evening cooking, laughing, and savoring exquisite dishes you and your partner prepare.
Build unshakable confidence in the kitchen with hands-on classes designed to sharpen your foundational culinary skills. Learn essential techniques from knife proficiency to mastering meats and sauces one class at a time. Mix, match, and curate your own custom culinary education around your schedule.
Looking for a fun way to spend quality time with your child? Our 2.5-hour Parent & Child classes are an excellent way to introduce your little chef to the kitchen! Your child (ages 6-12) will learn baking and cooking skills at their level from professional instructors. Parent and Child classes feature a variety of dishes and sweet treats.
'TIS THE SEASON...
EXPLORE OUR SEASONAL CLASSES
Whether you’re a beginner looking to build confidence or an experienced home cook eager to refine your skills, our immersive series courses are designed to build technique, creativity, and intuition in the kitchen. Register today and start cooking and baking with confidence!
Our cooking & baking series courses meet once a week, blending guided instruction with hands-on practice so you can master essential skills and elevate your craft. We offer 4-week, 6-week, and 10-week series courses.
Series Courses beginning in January 2027:
Learn to Cook: 10 Weeks
Zero to Hero: 6 Weeks
Cooking 101: 4 Weeks
Meal Prep Series: 4 Weeks
Baking 101: Foundations: 4 Weeks
Baking 201: Pro Techniques: 4 Weeks
At The Gourmandise School, we create private events that bring people together through the joy of cooking and baking. Guided by our expert chef-instructors, guests work in small groups to prepare their menu entirely from scratch, learning techniques and tips along the way. Our hands-on events are designed for every skill level, making them engaging, interactive, and fun. After the cooking is done, everyone comes together to share the meal they’ve created, which is a delicious and memorable experience from start to finish!
Seasonal Menus
Special menus available October - February
Charcuterie Options
Select a cheeseboard or a charcuterie board for your guests to enjoy.
Gift Bags
Give your guests a special gift to take home
7 Days a Week
Start your booking on our private events page
GIFTS, RESOURCES & MORE!
We’ve curated an assortment of baking kits and gifts for the home that will undoubtedly level up your or your gift recipient’s culinary skills and kitchen/hosting game.
As a student of The Gourmandise School, you’ll enjoy exclusive savings on premium culinary brands that elevate your cooking experience at home.
After years of student requests, we created a curated collection of tried-and-true kitchen tools and essentials! Our Chef-Instructors handpicked every featured product after rigorous testing.
Gift certificates are valid for our series courses, classes, and workshops. They never expire, are the perfect gift for any occasion, and can be purchased in any amount.
MEET OUR PARTNERS
We partner with these brands because we love and trust their products in our kitchen! When you use our promo codes to make a purchase, The Gourmandise School may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Indulge your chocolate cravings and elevate your skills with our array of specialized chocolate classes. Whether you’re eager to learn the delicate art of chocolate tempering, embark on the journey of crafting your own artisanal chocolate from bean to bar, or create homemade bonbons that rival those of a chocolatier, we have the perfect class for you.
Even if you simply want to refine your palate and appreciate the nuances of fine chocolate, we’ve got you covered. Discover our upcoming specialty chocolate classes and treat yourself to a world of sweeter possibilities!
Whisking Up Smiles
Hear what our past students have to say about their time in the kitchens!
WE'RE SOCIAL... ARE YOU?
We love it when students tag us in posts, stories, and reels. Show us what you’re cooking up in the kitchens by tagging @GourmandiseLA!
Follow our Instagram for the latest updates on classes, tips & tricks, recipe videos, and more! PS: We love it when students tag us in posts, stories, and reels. Show us what you’re cooking up in the kitchens by tagging @GourmandiseLA!