Travel Tips

Big Name Vs. Independent Cooking Schools

Locations in this article:  Toronto, Canada

Sure, taking a cooking class on the road can be a rewarding way to experience the local culture. But are you better off choosing a big-name school or an independent program?

You might be familiar with brand names like Viking, CuisinArt and Calphalon.

Well, these companies not only make kitchen appliances and products; they also have cooking classes.

The bonus is that along with the class, you can also get discounts on products.

Viking Cooking School, which can be found in 16 U.S. cities, offers 10 percent off kitchen products purchased that day.

Calphalon Culinary Center in Toronto offers hands-on classes for about $70, and you get 20 percent off most items in the store.

So if learning new skills and stocking your kitchen is your goal, it can be a good deal.

But if you’re more about experiencing the regional flavor, there are better options.

CuisinArt has a different approach—it’s a destination resort in Anguilla, where guests learn to cook with a chef, using local ingredients from the organic farm.

In New York, you can tour the Greenmarket with a chef, and then make a meal with those ingredients.

And in parts of Southeast Asia, not only are there plenty of cooking classes that start at the market, but you get to cook in the chef’s home!

Just because a cooking class has a branded name doesn’t mean you’re getting the best or most authentic experience. Shop around before making your decision.

For more ideas, visit our Culinary Travel section.

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