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Photo courtesy of Sugar'D Bakery
Whether you’re an experienced home cook or a total beginner looking to build confidence in the kitchen, hands-on classes are one of the most engaging ways to learn something new while having fun along the way. Around Metro Detroit, a wide range of cooking, baking, and beverage-focused classes invite participants to roll up their sleeves, learn from experts, and leave with new skills (and often something delicious to enjoy at home). Here’s a look at some standout spots offering memorable culinary classes across Metro Detroit…
EATALIANA HOMEMADE PASTA
52901 Shelby Road, Shelby Township
Eataliana Homemade Pasta brings traditional Italian techniques to life through small, hands-on pasta-making classes. Led by owner and instructor Eleonora Jaku, these sessions teach students how to make fresh pasta, like fettuccine, gnocchi, ravioli, and tortellini, and sauces from scratch. Jaku shares, “Our small class size allows you to be hands-on in making fresh pasta from scratch and delicious sauces using the traditional Nonna method, focusing on fresh ingredients and a fun family-style cooking, eating, and learning experience.” Every session is intentionally designed, where you learn how to mix and knead fresh dough, roll and cut traditional shapes, prepare sauces, and even cook and plate your perfect Italian meal. Classes are held every Sunday, with hands-on sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. It’s a great time for those who want to learn the art of homemade pasta.
FOR THE LOVE OF SUGAR
30000 Ford Road, Garden City
For the Love of Sugar operates The Sugar Studio in Garden City, an extension of its Detroit bakery that’s dedicated entirely to teaching decorating and baking classes. The team shares, “Owner, Manal, opened the studio in Garden City, catering to teaching all of the fun decorating and baking classes!” The studio offers a wide range of classes, from cake filling to French macarons made from scratch, along with baking fundamentals, make-and-bake cinnamon roll workshops, kids’ cupcake classes, and cookie decorating. Many classes are also available for private parties, perfect for birthdays, bachelorette celebrations, and team outings. With some gluten-free and vegan options available, the studio creates a welcoming environment where students can explore both classic and creative baking techniques.
ZINGERMAN’S BAKEHOUSE
3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor
Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor is home to BAKE!, a dedicated teaching bakery that has been sharing its love of baking since 2006. With more than 60 different classes offered in bread, pastry, and cake baking, BAKE! welcomes everyone from first-time bakers to seasoned home cooks. Classes are available in several formats, including hands-on in-person sessions where students make recipes from start to finish and take their creations home, hands-on virtual classes that bring instruction into your own kitchen, and demonstration-style classes that focus on technique, history, and tasting. No prior experience is required; tools and measured ingredients are provided for in-person classes, and offerings range from single-session workshops to all-day bread-baking experiences. BAKE! also hosts special events with visiting experts and cookbook authors, making it a go-to for anyone serious about baking or simply curious to learn more.
SUGAR’D BAKERY
43347 Joy Road, Canton
Sugar’D Bakery approaches classes as creative experiences that go beyond simply making dessert. Built around the idea of “turning sugar into art®,” Sugar’D offers hands-on classes focused on cake decorating and curated workshops designed for all ages and skill levels. The classes feel just as suitable for date nights, celebrations, and team bonding as they are for learning a new skill. Each session emphasizes creativity and connection, as Founder/CEO/Sugar Artist Sarah Debs shares, “…Our classes are about the satisfaction that comes from creating something with your own hands, learning a new skill, and walking away proud of what you’ve made.”
PIETRZYK PIEROGI
1429 Gration Avenue, Detroit
Pietrzyk Pierogi offers Pierogi Making 101 classes rooted in family tradition and community. Owner Erica Pietrzyk shares, “You will experience the art of pierogi making through the lens of our elders’ teachings. From beginner to experienced, there are always new tricks from generations of knowledge to help perfect your craft and pierogi pinching style.” These three-hour sessions guide participants through the full pierogi-making process, from dough and fillings to pinching, boiling, and packaging. Each student prepares, makes, and packages two dozen pierogi using classic farmer’s cheese and a custom potato-and-cheese blend. Designed for intermediate to advanced culinary explorers, the class also covers food safety and troubleshooting common issues, offering a deep dive into one of Eastern European cuisine’s most beloved comfort foods.
EVELYN’S MIDTOWN KITCHEN
2934 Russell Street, Detroit
Evelyn’s Midtown Kitchen, located inside Shed 5 at Eastern Market, focuses on community-driven cooking classes led by Chef and Owner Evelyn Stokes. The offerings range from date-night dinners and seasonal cooking to youth and family sessions, baking workshops, and more. Classes are hands-on and collaborative, with students working in small groups of four and sharing equipment while actively cooking throughout the two to two-and-a-half-hour session. Many classes provide wine pairing suggestions, if you’d like to bring your own selection. Designed to promote healthy eating, cultural awareness, and connection, these classes are equally suited for team-building events, private parties, or anyone looking for a way to sharpen their skills in the kitchen.
DETROIT CITY DISTILLERY
2462 Riopelle Street, Detroit
Detroit City Distillery offers a completely different kind of class with its Blend Your Own Bourbon Experience, designed with whiskey lovers in mind. This immersive, two-hour experience begins with a guided tour covering the history of bourbon and Detroit City Distillery’s role in its production, followed by barrel tastings led by a whiskey expert. Participants learn how to identify flavor notes, understand blending techniques, and then step into the role of lead blender to craft a custom bourbon from four unique barrels. Each guest leaves with a 750ml bottle of their personalized blend, complete with a custom label, making this class both educational and highly memorable. With limited class sizes, the experience feels intimate and hands-on from start to finish.
From baking and pasta-making, Metro Detroit’s class offerings prove that learning in the kitchen can be just as fun as it is rewarding. Whether you’re looking for a unique date night, a hands-on gift experience, or a way to expand your culinary skills without needing to clean your kitchen afterwards, these classes offer something for every interest and skill level.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on June 9, 2023, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
