Discover the Best Knife Skills Classes in Los Angeles
Have you ever dreamed of cooking like a chef? Or maybe you’ve seen a chef who can chop vegetables so quickly you can barely see their hands moving? You, too, could have this kind of kitchen know-how and knife skills.
Knives have been around for most of recorded history dating all the way back to hunting and gathering. Those knives were made of bone, although for practical purposes they did many of the same tasks as modern knives, especially for food preparation.
Around 43 AD, people began making knife blades out of metal, although it was a luxury item. Only the wealthy had metal cutlery, and they didn’t even provide it to guests. Interestingly, knives were a part of everyday life. Men and women carried them for daily tasks, but this was different from the dinner cutlery.
When other popular utensils came about, knives remained important but were less scarce. Spoons were one of the earliest eating utensils, many think because it mimics the hand’s ability to cup food. Forks came about later, although they didn’t become popular awhile— the church (and others), even considered them scandalous for awhile. Today, many cultures don’t think twice about using utensils. Knives are still present at the table, and pocket knives are still prevalent. In hunting and fishing communities, larger knives are also common.
Knives fall into the cutlery category alongside razors and scissors. All are typically used to cut items, particularly meats and other consumable goods. In addition to knowing how to do different styles of cutting, knife skills include elements of:
- Safe practices
- Learning appropriate terminology
- Caring for knives
There are many types of cutting to learn. From basic chopping and mincing to a more advanced julienne or chiffonade, knowing the names will help you read and prepare recipes accurately.
Why You Should Learn Knife Skills in Los Angeles
Every adult should have some basic cooking skills, even if it’s not their favorite thing. As the second biggest city in the United States (after New York City), and the home of street food, LA is an amazing place to learn culinary skills, including knife skills.
With many cultures, there’s a truly diverse population of people to learn from. About a third of the population is made up of immigrant communities, allowing you to learn cooking skills from around the world.
LA is often thought of as a place of stardom and success. It is, after all, home to Hollywood and many major motion picture studios. But it wasn’t always like that, and despite its reputation, there’s more to Tinseltown than being on the big screen. When you learn how to cook in LA, you can reap a sense of satisfaction that you’re caring for yourself. When you take knife skills courses, you can get involved and support the communities around you.
If you’re looking for a career change, LA is a great place to learn new skills. Almost every food service job, whether you want to own a food truck or have your own creative restaurant, will require you to know how to use knives because they’re a tool of the trade.
In-Person Knife Skills Classes in Los Angeles
LA is a great place to take in-person knife skills classes. There are many schools to choose from and a variety of ways to grow your skills once you know the basics.
Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom on the West Side of LA hosts all kinds of cooking courses. If you’re starting out, consider Knife Skills. In 2 1⁄2 hours, the course will cover the basics of how to hold and care for your knives before getting a deeper understanding of cutting techniques. Chef Eric will show you how professionals use their knives, and by the time class is over, you’ll be practicing advanced cuts like the Batonnet. When everything is said and done, you’ll get to share a meal you helped create with your peers who are in class with you.
If you’re interested in learning basic cooking skills, this 4 Week Culinary Basics Series, also by Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom, could be a great place to start. The first class is about sauteing and knife skills, followed by other foundational skills such as baking, fresh pasta, and meal preparation. Throughout the sessions, you’ll learn and enjoy your new skills with a meal to share at the end of each class.
Taking a specialized cooking class is a nice option if you want to learn how to make a specific meal or see knife skills in action while you’re learning. CocuSocial offers a Handmade Dumpling Party that’s a fun way for cooks at all levels to learn the art of making the perfect dumpling. Located at Eagle Rock near downtown/northeast LA, this course could be a fun solo or group learning experience. Learn knife skills as you create the filling for your dumplings— pork and vegetable options are both available.
To get a completely unique knife skills experience, try Fruit & Vegetable Carving by Los Angeles City College in downtown/northeast LA. Rather than focusing on creating a meal, you’ll work with fruits and veggies to create gorgeous decorative pieces. These are techniques you could use to create centerpieces and holiday garnishes. In order to participate, you’ll need to bring yoru own paring knife, cutting board, and towel.
Virtual Knife Skills Classes
Learning knife skills is a hands-on task, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still take an online class. In fact, there are many online knife skills classes available. Because online classes are location independent, you can join from anywhere with a strong internet connection. There are often more topics to pick from, and you’ll likely work with a group of people you may not have otherwise met.
Although you’re likely to have to provide your own materials and equipment, sometimes that gives you an advantage because they’re more familiar. For those who have allergies or dietary restrictions, providing your own ingredients may alleviate anxiety and make the experience more relaxed. Many courses will ship key ingredients to your house, too. You’ll want to look into that when you register.
If knife skills are brand new to you, consider taking a class like Knife Skills 101 (Online) by Taste Buds Kitchen. By the end of class, you’ll have sliced, diced, and minced your way to making tortilla chips, salsa, sweet potato fries, and jalapeno lime dipping sauce. Enjoy your creations confidently knowing you can make them again on your own when you want.
For a more integrated learning experience, try Introduction to Korean Cooking by Home Cooking New York. You’ll discover ingredients, cooking techniques including knife skills, and Korean food culture during this class. At the end, enjoy a sumptuous home cooked Korean meal including sweet potato glass noodles with seasoned veggies, seasoned sesame cucumbers, and spicy braised tofu.
As with most virtual schools, when you register, they’ll send you a list of ingredients and kitchen tools you’ll need in order to prepare for class. Once you’ve stocked up, all you have to do is show up for class and learn alongside the chef.
Private Group Knife Skills Classes in Los Angeles
Want to provide a knife skills class as a fun team-building event for your business or organization? Or maybe a cooking class where everyone can learn to make a dish together? CourseHorse has knife skills classes for private groups live online.
During this 60-minute Virtual Knife Skills Workshop, individuals of all skill levels from beginners to advanced cooks will enjoy learning and practicing new techniques. Beginners will learn knife basics. For those who already know their way around their kitchen tools, this course will show them how to be more efficient with their knife skills.
Before class, you’ll need to purchase some supplies including:
- A chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Veggie peeler
- Fresh vegetables
When you register, you’ll get a list of everything you need and the quantities, to keep preparation simple. You can have a group of up to 500 participants for this class, which means easy prep work will be.
Even if your group is small (the minimum number of participants is ten), you’ll still reap the benefits of working with an expert. After you register, you can update your roster and finalize the headcount for no additional cost. If you have a large group, you can customize your group by adding games or additional expert guidance or an extra $150.
There aren’t any booking fees, and you’ll receive a confirmation within 24 hours of reserving your group, which is a nice feature, especially for corporate groups who will be expensing the class or getting reimbursed.
On a more technical note, CourseHorse recommends Zoom as the video platform, but can support others as well if your company has a preference. Have questions or want to request a demo? Visit the CourseHorse website and reach out via their contact form.
