Private Cooking Classes
You can find a recipe anywhere. This is how you learn to cook.
Beyond the Recipe
Recipes tell you what to do. Here you learn why it works, so you can cook without one.
Bespoke
A class created just for you.
Professional Instruction, Privately
For 25 years, I taught at the Institute of Culinary Education. Now that instruction comes to your kitchen.
What You'll Learn
With over three decades of teaching experience, I don't just show you how to cook. I teach you how to think in the kitchen.
You'll learn how to build flavor, recognize when food is properly cooked, make substitutions, adjust seasonings, and fix things when they don't go as planned.
You'll understand what makes a dish work, so you can follow a recipe when you want to, change it to suit your tastes, or create something delicious with what you already have.
Private Cooking Experiences
Customized Private Classes
Enjoy a personalized 2 1/2 hour cooking experience in your own home. Menus are 100% customized to your interests, preferences, and what you'd like to learn. Each class combines hands-on cooking with professional instruction to build your skills and confidence in the kitchen.
In Person Classes
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Single Session (1 or 2 people): $500 for a 2½-hour class
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Each additional person: $200
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Classes are capped at 5 people
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Series of 3 Classes (1 or 2 people): $1,425
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Series of 5 Classes (1 or 2 people): $2,250
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Weekly Private Lessons: 4 lessons per month, $1,700 per month with a 3-month commitment.
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Please note: The cost of classes does not include the cost of groceries.
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Grocery shopping is available for an additional $50, plus the cost of groceries.
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A travel surcharge may apply for locations outside our regular service area.
Virtual Classes
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Single Class: 300. for a 2-hour class
Weekly Private Classes: 4 lessons per month, 1,080. per month with a 3-month commitment
Beyond The Recipe
Learn to cook with greater confidence, creativity, and independence. These lessons are five 90 minute technique-driven series goes beyond following recipes to explore how cooking works, why techniques matter, and how to bring out the best in your ingredients.
You'll learn to build flavor, recognize when food is properly cooked, make substitutions, and adjust as you go. With a deeper understanding of cooking techniques, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to make a wider variety of meals your own.
In Person Classes
• Five 90-minute classes: $1,750
• Classes are capped at 2 people
• Classes take place in your home (Westchester County only)
• Please note: The cost of classes does not include the cost of groceries.
•Grocery shopping is available for an additional $50, plus the cost of groceries.
Virtual Classes
• Five 90 minute classes: $1,250
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Classes are held in the comfort of your home.
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Recipes are designed to make enough food for four people.
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The cost of ingredients, groceries, and equipment are not included in the class fee.
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A detailed shopping list will be sent to you one week before class.
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If you'd prefer us to handle the shopping, there is a supplemental charge of 50. plus the cost of groceries.
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We clean as we go during class. Post-class cleanup is handled by participants.
Important Details
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Payment in full is required to secure the date for a class.
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Private classes are non-refundable.
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If you need to cancel, we’d be happy to work with you on rescheduling your class with at least 48 hours notice. Extreme weather or other extenuating circumstances not withstanding, canceling with less than 48 hours notice, means you will be forfeiting your class.
What People Are Saying
Melanie is a phenomenal cooking teacher! We had a private class with her and learned so much! She customized the perfect experience for us.
Karen
"I received a gift certificate for a private lesson and it truly exceeded my expectation. Chef Melanie made this class most enjoyable with her incredible knowledge and passion for cooking/baking.
Kacey
Melanie came to our house to conduct a cooking class as a birthday gift... She was very professional, punctual, had planned well, gave thorough instruction, answered all questions, and made it fun.
Marissa
The menu was exactly what we wanted and it turned out so delicious… we already booked another lesson and can't wait.
Nufar
Meet Melanie
Melanie Underwood began her career as a pastry chef, including opening The Four Seasons Hotel in New York City and working at The Plaza Hotel and other NYC restaurants. She then spent 25 years teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education, and has taught more than 50,000 students in 30 years.
She is the author of Making Artisan Cheesecake, an Amazon Editor's Pick, co-author of Art & Cook, and a contributor to multiple cookbooks. She has appeared on Food Network, ABC, NBC, and CNN and featured in Business Insider, Parade Magazine, Martha Stewart and The New York Times.
She grew up on a family farm in Virginia, where mistakes were welcomed and every meal was a conversation. She still teaches that way.