Best Italian Cooking Classes On The Peninsula

San Francisco Baking Institute specializes in teaching the art of cooking artisan bread and pastries. For professionals and novices alike, there are in-depth classes as well as weekend workshops. Among its offerings are workshops that focus on specialties like pizza and Italian bread. Walk away with knowing how to make a pizza from scratch and a variety of Italian breads including ciabatta, focaccia, pugliese and fougasse.

Home Chef Cooking School has a range of cooking classes ranging from knife basics to world cuisine. The calendar is updated regularly so you can sign up for a listed workshop or you can call to arrange a private event. Workshops currently include risotto and pizza, where you get the basics to cook them from scratch at home. There are also more intensive workshops like dinner in Rome and date night in Sicily that focus on multi-course Italian cooking. All adults receive a complimentary glass of wine to accompany you while you cook in class.

Draeger's Cooking School has a diverse line-up of chefs that teach their craft and what they specialize in. Check the calendar often since classes sell out and their waitlist because of the popularity of the school. Classes vary from seasonal to basics to course meals. Currently, it offers subjects such as ravioli, pizza, Italian desserts, a taste of Calabria and an Italian farmer's table. Classes are hand- on and you receive a collection of the recipes you cooked to take home.

Chef Isaac Scuitto is based in Burlingame, but classes are offered in your home in San Mateo and San Francisco counties. Customize your cooking class and invite your friends over to take part. To get your cooking off to the right start, Scuitto teaches a class in essential skills that include saute basics, making pan sauce, breading and making a vinaigrette. Chef Isaac will also teach you and your group how to prepare a dinner party for four or eight. Menu planning, food/wine pairing and knife skills are all included in the course.

Rainbow Chefs offers a variety of cooking courses to kids teaching life lessons with a hands-on experience in the culinary arts. It currently offers a summer camp week with the theme of five days in Italy where children can learn a variety of recipes and techniques in Italian cooking. Enrichment programs can also be set up for schools and other organizations involving children. Private events and lessons are also available, where you choose the focus and the little ones receive a nutritious and tasty culinary experience.