Sur La Table Cooking Class

Took a class last night, saying it was a disappointment would be a generous compliment. Started badly when I discovered only one knife and cutting board per couple (one gets the experience and the other watches). Too large of a group (16) to have around the instructor close enough to hear her, especially when the cleanup crew was clanking mixing bowls and dishes, running the dishwasher, and even the refrigerator made too much noise. They should use a mic, and speakers in the overhead. Buy a book and watch a video on YouTube — don’t waste your time and money on these classes.

I took a class to make french macarons at the scottsdale fashion center location this morning with my mom. I’d like to say that for a 70.00 class, to be told that the product we just made would be set out as samples for other customers and store employees was ludicrous. I had to insist that chef Renee allow the guests to take some of them home. She was very concerned that her «boss» wouldn’t know what she had done that day if we didn’t leave them behind.
That was my major concern. So. basically, for 70 dollars a piece, my mom and I were sent home with printer paper that had circles drawn on it (templates for your cookies. as if no one could figure out how to make a circle blob of dough on a cookie sheet without circles drawn on paper). and a recipe that we could have found online for free and some cookies we had to kind of fight for.
Furthermore, the information provided at the class was generic at best. When the chef was asked what temp to set the ovens to, we were told «it depends on your oven». When asked how long to bake the cookies for, we were told «it depends on the thickness of the batter». The printed recipe does have the information, though. but it was not discussed in this 2 hour class.
The class seemed geared toward ten year olds with zero kitchen experience, though everyone in that class was 30 or older. This was reminiscent of the cooking classes I taught children at the park when I was younger. I will not pay sur la table for a class again. I hoped this would be a fun thing to do with my mom on the weekends. But it was certainly not worth the money. For the two of us, it cost me 138 dollars. and if i had not said anything, we wouldn’t even have anything to say for it. awful.

DA Rocks!
My husband and I participated in the Cozy Dinner for Two Class last night and had a GREAT time. It’s just enough hands-​on so that you get the idea but not so much that you’re exhausted at the end and and need a nap. Wonderful group of couples do in’ «the Date Night Thang», everyone had a great time, got some good tips and the meal was DEElish!
TIP: Get there a half hour early, go across the way to V95 Wine and Coffee Lounge, have a glass of wine (they’ll even suggest something that pairs well with the class menu) and relax or get a bottle at 30% off that you can take to class and enjoy with the group!
I have to give a shout-​out to Chef DA’s support staff; they were very helpful and took care if all the cleanup.
Best Date Night in awhile…
GOOD TIMES!

Since my last review I’ve been in two more times for cooking classes with D.A. and I had a wonderful time! The menus are awesome, everything is well prepared, and the staff makes sure that you have a good time. I’ll definitely be back!