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Step inside the New Orleans School of Cooking for a lively, hands-on Cajun culinary class. Chop, cook, and savor traditional dishes like Chicken and Andouille Gumbo and Bananas Foster crafted with expert guidance in the heart of New Orleans.
Step inside the New Orleans School of Cooking for a lively, hands-on Cajun culinary class. Chop, cook, and savor traditional dishes like Chicken and Andouille Gumbo and Bananas Foster crafted with expert guidance in the heart of New Orleans.
Book with The New Orleans School of Cooking
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by The New Orleans School of Cooking · New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in the heart of vibrant New Orleans, Louisiana, the New Orleans School of Cooking offers an immersive culinary adventure that invites visitors to dive deep into the city’s rich Creole and Cajun food traditions. This intimate, hands-on cooking class focuses on crafting classic dishes like Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, Gulf Fish with Brown Butter Amandine, Gulf Crab served with Pecan Rice, and the iconic Bananas Foster dessert. Set against a backdrop of lively southern charm, this experience is a standout for travelers wanting more than just a meal—they want a story on the plate.
With a maximum of ten participants, the class ensures personalized attention from expert chefs passionate about authentic Louisiana cuisine. Guests will actively chop, season, and cook each component, learning techniques such as building the dark roux essential to gumbo and seasoning the Gulf fish with Creole spices. After creating this multi-course feast, diners savor the fruits of their labor in a convivial setting, accompanied by local touches like house red and white wines and Abita beer, a staple Louisiana brew.
This school is more than a cooking class; it is a cultural hub within New Orleans’ outdoor recreation landscape, linking the city’s famed culinary heritage with its dynamic food scene. The dishes taught here feature locally sourced ingredients like Gulf fish and crawfish, reflecting the region’s unique ecosystem along the Mississippi River delta. Visitors gain insight not only into cooking but also the history woven into Creole and Cajun food, shaped by French, African, and Native American influences.
Ideal for adults 18 and older, the class lasts about 2.5 hours and hooks food lovers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a culinary novice or seasoned home cook, the expert team guides you through every step with clarity and warmth. Located downtown near the French Quarter, it’s an accessible stop for visitors based in New Orleans who want a taste of genuine local flavor and culture.
What sets this experience apart is the unique combination of preparation and celebration. You’ll leave not only with recipes and a keepsake apron but with newfound confidence in recreating classic dishes at home. This hands-on approach, combined with the chance to enjoy locally brewed beer and regional wines, makes it a compelling reason to book when visiting New Orleans. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, or small groups, it’s a memorable exploration of Louisiana’s culinary identity.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels—ability to stand and move around the kitchen for the duration required.
No, due to liability restrictions, only participants aged 18 and older can join these cooking classes.
No prior cooking experience is necessary; classes are suitable for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Please contact the school directly for any dietary needs or restrictions before booking.
The class is held at the New Orleans School of Cooking, conveniently located downtown near the French Quarter.
Yes, each participant receives printed recipes for all dishes prepared during the class.
House red and white wine, Abita beer, and non-alcoholic beverages like iced tea and lemonade are included in the class experience.
The New Orleans School of Cooking has been sharing Creole culinary traditions since the 1980s, preserving recipes passed down through generations.
The school emphasizes sourcing local, sustainable ingredients and educating visitors on the ecological importance of Gulf fish and seafood.
The New Orleans School of Cooking is a culinary school in New Orleans, Louisiana that specializes in hands-on and demonstration classes teaching Cajun and Creole cuisine. Located in the heart of the city, the school offers intimate classes where participants learn classic regional recipes from experienced instructors. Classes include hands-on sessions—often limited to a maximum of 10 participants—so students can chop, season, and prepare dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish pie, seafood gumbo, beef grillades, and chocolate or original pralines. Demonstration classes run approximately 2.5 hours and feature step-by-step preparation of regional favorites such as shrimp and artichoke soup, crawfish étouffée, corn and crab bisque, and pecan pie, with recipe cards to take home. The curriculum covers techniques like blackening and cast-iron cooking, sauce preparation, and classic Creole seasoning. Offerings include themed experiences such as brunch and mixology events, holiday hands-on menus, and specialty classes like blackening 101 and Coolinary dinner and brunch sessions. Classes culminate with participants sharing the meals they prepare, including desserts like bananas foster, bread pudding, and beignets. The New Orleans School of Cooking serves both locals and visitors seeking an authentic food-focused cultural experience. The school emphasizes hands-on learning, regional recipes, and a small-group setting that promotes personal instruction and a memorable tasting experience. Many demonstration classes last approximately 2.5 hours, and recipe cards give participants the instructions needed to recreate dishes at home, applying learned techniques in their own kitchens. Menus often feature regional staples such as gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee, pralines, and bananas foster and desserts.
Book with The New Orleans School of Cooking