ESSENTIAL COOKING SKILLS

Tacos al Pastor
Street-Style Tacos
Ginger Chicken Scallion Lo Mein
Hone Your Knife Skills + Epicurean Cutting Board
Roasted Vegetable Focaccia
Rustic Homemade Breads
chef chopping herbs
Knife Skills
Artichoke Mezzelune with Lemon Butter
Mastering Filled Pasta
Cherry Turnovers
Quick & Easy Puff Pastry











Culinary Essentials: Mastering Fundamental Cooking Skills

Great cooking starts with great technique. Whether you're an aspiring home chef or simply looking to sharpen your skills in the kitchen, Sur La Table’s Culinary Essentials classes provide hands-on instruction in the fundamentals. Knife skills form the foundation of any successful dish, but our classes go beyond the cutting board—helping students master pasta making, bread baking, sushi preparation, and puff pastry. With expert guidance from professional chefs, you’ll gain the confidence to cook with precision, efficiency, and creativity.

The Importance of Knife Skills in Cooking

A well-honed knife technique is more than just a timesaver—it’s the cornerstone of every great meal. From dicing onions to filleting fish, mastering proper knife skills ensures safety, efficiency, and precision in the kitchen. When you know how to handle a knife correctly, you move with greater ease, ingredients cook more evenly, and your dishes look as impressive as they taste. Whether you’re new to cooking or looking to refine your technique, learning to wield a knife like a pro will transform the way you cook.

Knife Skills Classes: Learn to Cut Like a Pro

A sharp knife and the right technique can transform the way you cook. In a Sur La Table knife skills class, you’ll explore the fundamentals of knife handling while working with a professional chef instructor. Depending on the class, you might cover:

  • Proper grip and hand positioning to maintain control and reduce strain
  • Common knife cuts such as dicing, julienning, and mincing
  • Choosing the right knife for different tasks and ingredients
  • Basic knife care and maintenance to keep blades sharp and safe


With hands-on instruction and expert guidance, you’ll build confidence and efficiency—whether you're slicing vegetables, trimming proteins, or prepping ingredients for your favorite dishes.

Knife Techniques for Every Skill Level

Knife skills are an essential part of cooking, but they take time to master. Our classes are designed to meet students where they are, so whether you’re new to the kitchen or looking to refine your technique, you’ll walk away with valuable skills. Topics covered might include:

  • Beginner techniques like safe knife handling, basic cuts, and chopping with precision
  • Intermediate skills such as slicing proteins, uniform vegetable cuts, and knife control
  • Advanced techniques like breaking down poultry or filleting fish


No matter your experience level, you’ll gain practical knowledge that helps you prep ingredients more efficiently and safely at home.

Food Safety and Knife Care

Taking care of your knives is just as important as knowing how to use them. In our classes, you might learn tips for:

  • Safe knife handling practices to reduce the risk of accidents
  • How to clean and store knives properly to maintain sharpness and longevity
  • Sharpening and honing techniques to keep blades in top condition


These fundamentals ensure that your knives remain reliable tools in your kitchen—helping you work smarter, not harder.

Expanding Your Culinary Skills Beyond Knife Work

Once you’ve mastered knife techniques, why stop there? Sur La Table offers a variety of hands-on cooking classes that take your skills to the next level.

Handmade Pasta: Rolling, Cutting, and Cooking from Scratch

Experience the joy of making fresh pasta from scratch—from kneading and rolling dough to shaping classic pasta styles. Learn the art of perfecting texture and cooking pasta al dente, and discover simple, yet delicious homemade sauces.

The Art of Bread Making: Kneading, Proofing, and Baking

Bread baking is both a science and an art. In this class, you’ll work with yeast, dough hydration, and fermentation, mastering the techniques needed to create artisan loaves with perfectly crisp crusts and soft, airy interiors.

Mastering Sushi: Knife Precision and Ingredient Preparation

Sushi-making requires exceptional knife precision. Learn how to slice fish, roll sushi with confidence, and handle delicate ingredients to create restaurant-quality sushi at home.

Choosing the Right Cooking Class for You

With so many options, finding the perfect class depends on your interests, skill level, and culinary goals.

  • If you want to build confidence in the kitchen, start with a knife skills class.
  • If you love comfort food, try a pasta or bread-making workshop.
  • Want to impress at your next dinner party? Sushi or pastry classes will take your plating skills up a notch.


No matter your experience level, there’s a Sur La Table class designed to inspire and challenge you.

In-Person vs. Virtual Classes: Find the Best Fit

Not sure whether to take an in-store or online class? Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • In-Person Classes: Hands-on learning in a professional kitchen, with direct guidance from expert instructors. Perfect for those who love a social, immersive experience.
  • Online Cooking Classes: Learn from the comfort of home with live, interactive instruction. Great for those who prefer flexibility or want to practice in their own kitchen.


Experience Gift Cards: A Perfect Gift for Food Lovers

Prefer to Cook at Home? Try an Online Class!

Looking for a thoughtful, unique gift? A Sur La Table gift card is perfect for anyone looking to hone their skills, try something new, or enjoy a fun culinary experience. Whether they dream of mastering sushi, baking the perfect loaf, or finally learning proper knife skills, a cooking class is a gift they’ll truly appreciate.

Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or a seasoned cook refining your technique, mastering essential cooking skills will transform the way you work in the kitchen. From knife skills to pasta, bread, sushi, and pastry making, Sur La Table’s expert-led classes provide the knowledge and hands-on experience to help you cook with confidence.

Take the next step in your culinary journey—sign up for a class today!