American Cooking Classes NYC

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Discover the Best American Cooking Classes in NYC

American cuisine is as diverse and complex as the people that make up the country’s population. Immigrants from across the globe, enslaved people, and indigenous populations have all contributed to the culture and food of the country, making the U.S. into the melting pot it is today. 

American cuisine can also vary by region. The south is well known for its barbecue and is infused with influences from France (think New Orleans) and the descendants of enslaved people, like the Gullah Geechee. The dishes of the West are a blend of Native American, Latin American, and Mexican, while the Midwest is proudly known as the home of meat and potatoes, thanks to a large population of European immigrants. 

While defining American food can be complicated, there are a few dishes that are commonly associated with the nation’s cuisine: cookout food (hot dogs and hamburgers), southern (barbecue, grits, fried green tomatoes), meat and potatoes, and international recipes that have been given an American twist (pizza, pasta, Chinese food).

These dishes are all delicious and satisfying when prepared correctly, so learning to cook American cuisine is a worthwhile endeavor for any novice or advanced cook. You can master mouth-watering burgers, successfully cook seafood, or prepare a perfect (albeit American) pizza when you enroll in an American cooking class.

Why You Should Learn American Cooking in NYC

There is, perhaps, no city that better represents the melting pot analogy than New York. Home to Ellis Island which processed over 12 million immigrants in its time, NYC is known for its diverse, vibrant, and adaptable immigrant population. Hybridized foods like Italian-American, which was technically invented after the civil war, are a testament to both the unique fabric of this nation and the tenacity of those who move here. 

Learning how to cook American dishes can have many benefits. Modern life is filled with work, relationships, and seemingly never-ending lists of chores. There is also a constant connection to technology, from laptops to phones to televisions, which is known to cause stress. Learning to cook can help you to slow down by focusing on learning techniques and recipes. There are even studies, like this one cited in Southern Living, that claim that people who frequently take on small, creative projects like baking or cooking report feeling more relaxed and happier in their everyday lives.

You can also use your cooking class as a way to meet new people. You’ll instantly have a shared interest with other students and may be given opportunities to work together while you practice various recipes. American food is a mix of many culinary styles and attracts people from all backgrounds, so you can become acquainted with people from communities different than your own. You can also use your new-found skills to cook delicious meals for your current friends and family, becoming known as the king of the cookout or the expert on at-home pizza nights.

Are you a current line cook or chef looking to level up? Learning new recipes and techniques in an American cooking class can be a great career move. You can gain a better understanding of the cultural fusion that is central to American cuisine and then infuse your restaurant’s menu with that flare. You might even find your restaurant listed alongside these top contenders on Mash’s The Absolute Best American Restaurants in the U.S. 

In-Person American Cooking Classes & Schools in NYC

The Bronxville Adult School offers BBQ/Smoking 101 which explains the difference between grilling and barbecuing while giving a rundown on all things BBQ. Participants will learn the tools and techniques needed to make top-notch barbecue, including types of smokers, fuels, fire starting, and maintaining temperatures. You’ll even get a lesson in sauces and rubs so you can make your own mouth watering meats at home.

Home Cooking New York in SoHo offers a Southern BBQ course. Led by South Carolina native Chef John Scoff, this class will teach students how to make four southern comfort staples: sweet and spicy BBQ spareribs, coleslaw, creamy macaroni and cheese, and fresh fruit hand pies. Come ready to eat!

French Quarter at Taste Buds Kitchen is a culinary trip to New Orleans without ever leaving Manhattan. Calling on all the cajun flavors of Louisiana, this class will teach you to make several dishes including jambalaya and the famous Mardi Gras King Cake. This class is BYOB so make sure to grab your favorite beverage on the way!

Or, you could flex those Midwestern cooking skills in this steak cooking course also at Taste Buds Kitchen in Manhattan. Meat and potatoes are staples in the Midwestern diet and this class will teach you to make elevated versions of both. You’ll learn to pan-sear a flat iron steak and master making a red wine reduction, truffled mashed potatoes, and a blue cheese chopped salad. This class is designed for pairs so grab your guest, a bottle of wine, and get ready to cook!

You could also learn to make bagels in the East Village at Atelier Sucré. Their New York Bagels course will teach you to make authentic bagels just like the ones you can find in the Big Apple. You’ll also make your own toppings and fillings, and each student can take home their creations to share with their friends and family after class. 

A prime example of American fusion, this Chinese Takeout class will help you master some of your favorite Chinese-American dishes. This class covers four recipes (General Tso’s chicken, chicken scallion dumplings, honey soy dipping sauce, and fortune cookies with handwritten fortunes) and is designed for pairs, so grab a friend, a bottle of wine, and come hungry. 

Feeling like a little French influence could do you some good? Try out this Homemade Beignets course and be transported to eclectic, romantic New Orleans. This 2.5-hour class will teach students to prepare delicious fried puff pastries while understanding how to make, bake, and fry yeast dough. For those with a real sweet tooth, you can add a variety of extra sweet fillings to the beignets such as home-made chocolate and fruits.

Virtual American Cooking Classes & Schools

Online classes are a great option if you live in an area with limited in-person classes or have a complicated schedule. You can attend an online class from wherever you choose, may have more options available, and can forget about traffic and parking. While you do typically have to buy your own materials and equipment, online American cooking classes offer enough flexibility to offset that minor inconvenience. 

The Chopping Block Lincoln Square has a Southern brunch course described as an intensively interactive two-hour workshop. Trained chefs will guide students through the steps and techniques to prepare some classic Southern dishes like shrimp and grits, buttermilk biscuits, and a spinach and grapefruit salad. Each student will be given a recipe packet, equipment list, and class syllabus upon registration to help them prepare.

A true example of the fusion of American cuisine, chicken parmesan originated from Italian immigrants in the Northeast. You can try your hand at cooking this dish in this virtual chicken parmesan class that also includes a delicious orzo salad with sautéed asparagus, artichokes, and lemon. You’ll get to select quality chicken that you will then pound, bread, and pan-fry. The class will also teach you to know when your chicken is perfectly cooked, how to make sauteed green vegetables, and practices for working with fresh herbs.

What could be more distinctly American than a bagel? Brought to the U.S. by immigrant Polish Jews, bagels are now seen as a staple breakfast food across America (but particularly in New York). You can master the art of making warm, comforting bagels in this virtual bagel workshop. You’ll learn to mix, proof, shape, boil, and bake New York City-worthy bagels, with classic toppings like sesame and poppy seeds, and fillings like cinnamon and raisins. You’ll also whip up some flavored cream cheese and butter to top off your doughy masterpieces. 

Private Group American Cooking Classes in NYC

Do you have a group or team deserving of a one-of-a-kind event? CourseHorse offers American cooking classes for private groups that they can deliver to you. 

There are currently several private group classes available that can teach you and your team to make delicious American dishes. This virtual apple crisp workshop teaches you to make America’s most iconic dessert, with a twist! Similar to an apple pie, apple crisp is an easier, slightly deconstructed version. Instructed by a professional chef, your group will make streusel topping, prep apple filling, and bake your tasty creation. You’ll also mix up some apple cider whipped cream to dollop on top. All supplies for this class are provided and will be shipped directly to you!

Booking your private group class with CourseHorse is easier than you may think. With zero booking fees, confirmation within 24 hours, and the ability to adjust your group size up to 72 hours before your event, scheduling is a breeze. Multiple supported platforms add to the accessibility of online classes and you can even request to have your in-person class brought to your office or home.