Cool Cooking Classes for Fun Dads

Sure, ties and personalized coffee mugs are great, but memories trump well-wrapped presents every time. Cooking classes, food tours, and beer tastings are the must-have culinary gifts for Father's Day this year. To make your life just a little bit easier (and so much tastier) we've rounded up some of the best culinary adventures in LA, Texas, Chicago, Miami, and New York City.

From snout to tail pig butchering demos to craft beer sampling to family-friendly food tours and date night paella classes, no matter where his interests lie, we've found just the class for him. Just reserve a spot or two and day dream of all the funny cooking stories you'll share. Enjoy!

Texas

Central Market 

Central Market, with nine locations across the Lone Star state and fun cooking demos every day of the week, is one of our top picks for Father’s Day classes. If the man you’re shopping for has an eye for brews, indulge his fancy at the Central Market “Brooklyn Brewery Dinner”, where the technical director of this exceptional brewing company will hand select dishes that pair perfectly with the elements of the best Brooklyn beers. Or take your honey out on a date night to Central Market’s “Couples Cook: Paella” for a romantic and hearty Spanish meal. 

Los Angeles

Culinary Wonders 

Valencia's Culinary Wonders is the only recreational cooking studio of its kind and offers demos as well as hands-on and family-friendly classes. You can spend Father's Day making a hearty steak and potatoes dinner at their "Grilling with Dad" class or learn how to make Memphis-style Pork Ribs, Smoked Shrimp, and Avocado Salad at the "Ribs and Smoking" class. For the movie buff with an adventuorous streak, we suggest reserving a spot at Culinary Wonder's "Pirates of the Caribbean", a rum-filled exploration of the West Indes packed with Conch Fritters, Chicken and Chickpea Curry, and Breadfruit in Coconut Sauce.

Hip Cooks 

At Hip Cooks in East LA, measuring implements are banned, tasting is encouraged, your inner chef is invited to play, and every class ends with a dinner party. Just in case you're not convinced, let us mention that their calendar includes classes like "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "Oh, Brazil", both of which are packed with hearty and homey recipes perfect for a dad that's looking forward to a summer full of soccer matches.

Next up, heading to NYC for beer tastings and cooking demos…[pagebreak]New York City

Brooklyn Kitchen 

Nothing affirms manliness quite like drinking a beer while watching a snout-to-tail pig butchering demonstration. This grocery and kitchenware store has two locations in New York and provides so many recreational cooking classes that you are bound to find the perfect Father's Day present for the man in your life. "Sausage Making"? "Low and Slow BBQ Ribs Dinner"? "Empanada and Hand-Pie Making"? We say all of the above.

Top Hops 

Along with a great casual ambiance and staff with dizzying knowledge of all things beer, this beer shop and tasting bar also provides a slew of Saturday classes taught by a certified cicerone. All classes cost only $40, and include (very generous) beer samples and a 10% discount on store purchases. Classes range from general surveys like "For the Intro Beer Drinker" and "Intro to Deductive Beer Tasting", to specific niche topics like "Summer Beers Tasting" and "American Founders and Innovators of Craft Beer from 1980 Onwards", so regardless of whether or not the man in your life knows his pilsner from his IPA, Top Hops has just the Father's Day present for him.

Haven's Kitchen 

This recreational cooking school, neighborhood cafe, event space, and specialty food shop is dedicated to creating delicious, seasonal and sustainable cuisine, perfect for the health-conscious dad. Much like their quirky locale, a renovated carriage house just off Union Square, their cooking classes are unexpected and eye-opening. The upcoming "Lessons in Libations" class, for example, is a study of the history and many permutations of the iconic Gin and Tonic. However, if a family-friendly Father's Day treat is what you seek, the "Haven's Kids in the Kitchen: Chicken and Biscuits with Dad" class is the way to go. This cooking class includes instructions for a family feast of fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, baked beans, and pie for a chaperone and his young sous chef! 

Click on for the best culinary classes and food tours in Chicago and Miami…[pagebreak]

Chicago

Wooden Spoon

Family-owned Wooden Spoon has offered high quality kitchenwares and informative recreational cooking classes to Chicago natives since 2002, and they show no signs of stopping, at least in part due to their impressive class schedule. Along with their "Father's Day Grill", we also suggest you check out the Wooden Spoon's "Mexican Madness" class, complete with Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Ancho Flank Steak with Avocado Relish and Spiced Brownies! Or learn how to form perfect gnocchi and marinade chicken wings to perfection at their "Herbs, Marinades and Rubs" class in late June.

Chopping Block 

The good people at Chicago's Chopping Block put their outdoor patio to good use with tons of grilling classes and demonstrations including "Thrill of the Grill" and "The Argentine Grill", both conveniently scheduled on Father's Day weekend. If Plantain Nachos and Orange and Cumin Pork Medallions sound more his speed, take him on a trip to Cuba without air fare or tricky politics with Chopping Block's "Culinary Adventure: A Trip to Cuba". Or if his idea of Sunday involves an ice cold brew, send him over to the Chopping Block for their "From Beer to Eternity" class, where he can learn how to use his favorite ales and lagers to add depth to braised chicken, sweet corn fritters, and a warm couscous salad. 

Miami

Two Chefs Restaurant 

Two Chefs Restaurant in South Miami is known for its weekly menus that feature local and seasonal creations. Best part? You and the dad you're shopping for can take part in their "Culinary Experience" classes and learn how to make their signature towering soufflés in no time! On Father's Day weekend, Two Chefs has a mouth-watering menu fit for a king: Jumbo Crab Cake, Peruvian Yellow pepper Sauce, Curry Rubbed Chicken, Classic Beef Wellington, Guinness Battered Onion Rings, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus, and Stone-Ground Pistachio Soufflé. 

Miami Culinary Tours 

Think the idea of making the father in question cook on Father's Day won't fly? That's ok! Instead, he can learn about Little Havana's history and culture while sampling the traditional, rustic Cuban cuisine of Calle Ocho. The "Little Havana Food Tour" is a great way to get the entire family together and venture off the beaten path to uncover some of the area's hidden gems. Learn about the art behind every Cuban hand-rolled cigar, the rich spiritual history of the area, and munch on picadillo empanadas and tostones filled with sofrito chicken!