Cooking Classes in Albany

Born and raised in Italy, Chef Luana inherited a culinary passion from her grandmother. She has enjoyed entrepreneurial success at a beachside restaurant in Italy mainly due to her mastery with the pizza oven, as she is one of Italy’s few professional female pizza makers working with a wood burning oven. Chef Luana's old world recipes and techniques find new life in her classes with quality ingredients and genuine flavors.

A true culinary virtuosa, Chef Parsati has worked as an instructor teaching private cooking lessons and after-school programs for an international educational platform that teaches kids math, science, and geography through cooking, and also previously worked for Williams Sonoma in a culinary capacity. Chef Parsati loves researching new recipes, experimenting in the kitchen, and hosting small, private, interactive cooking classes for clients.

Chef Shan is a native of India and has been teaching Indian cooking in a variety of settings for more than 20 years. She has also authored a cookbook and has been featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and on PBS. Join Chef Shan on a culinary and cultural journey and you will discover modern techniques for obtaining timeless flavors and leave eager to incorporate Indian cuisine into your everyday cooking routine.

After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Danushka’s culinary career quickly rose to prominence. An experienced culinary instructor and highly sought after private chef, she has worked for celebrities and high net worth clients across the U.S. Chef Danushka was a contestant on "Chopped" and "Cutthroat Kitchen," a finalist on "Comeback Kitchen" and "Next Food Network Star," and is the winner of Food Network’s "24 Hour Restaurant Battle."

Chef Lisa has had a long standing appreciation for food, cooking, and nutrition. This passion led her to study Human Foods and Nutrition in college. She was given the opportunity to further her career by working as an executive pastry chef for resorts and hotels, as an healthy eating specialist for Whole Foods Market, and now has her own culinary business, where she helps others explore food, and ultimately, better their lives.

The cuisine of Tuscany has its roots deep in the countryside where the ingredients are plentiful and are brought to market fresh daily. The recipes are simple and have survived the test of time. We put our history of beautiful skin, creative minds and wellness on the table, and this history is still alive today! I was trained by my grandmothers in Tuscany, and I can teach you to quickly prepare fresh, quality meals that are delicious and nutritious.

For Chef Jordan, cooking is truly an art form. He learned how to combine various flavors and aromas in a captivating way from several professional experiences, including at Eleven Madison Park, a three-star Michelin restaurant in New York, and experiencing the Spanish culture that helped him develop his own style of food. Chef Jordan, who has worked as a chef for many years, plans to spend the rest of his life learning new techniques and cooking styles.

Chef Melissa uses cooking to bring food enthusiasts together, and to celebrate cultures and curiosities. After spending her youth in her home country of Taiwan, she worked as a food writer and spent dozens of years in Boston honing her craft alongside renowned chefs. Part story-teller, part educator, and part food and wine lover, Chef Melissa blends her Asian roots, her world travels and her love of food and culture to bring joy and inspiration to people everywhere.

Chef Laura has an incredible culinary rГ©sumГ© that includes graduating with honors from the International Culinary Center. Previously, a caterer and chef instructor, Chef Laura currently hosts fun and exciting cooking classes where she shares her sharp culinary knowledge and techniques. She knows exactly how to prepare a menu using optimal seasonal ingredients that bring out the best aromas and flavors for a truly beautiful dish, so prepare to up your cooking game!

Chef Dirk’s deep passion for food and global cuisine stems from his travels to more than 20 countries. Classically trained as a gourmet chef and hospitality manager in Germany, his native country, Chef Dirk has served celebrities and worked at five-star restaurants. His vast culinary, hospitality, and leadership experience, and enthusiastic personality make for deeply engaging, entertaining, and truly unforgettable classes.

Chef Landi began his foray into the restaurant industry over 20 years ago as a server in Italy, and quickly found himself working in the kitchen, learning the skills and techniques that have been foundational to his now successful culinary career. In 2001, Chef Landi moved to the U.S. and discovered a newfound passion for teaching. Now, he is both a chef at an Argentinian steakhouse and a lauded culinary instructor.

A Chicago native, Chef Andy has worked in many professional culinary roles from Culinary Director to Food Content and Menu Developer. With years of experience as a culinary instructor for both adults and kids, Chef Andy and his team are well-versed in a wide range of cuisines from sushi to classic European dishes. Whether led by Chef Andy or a Resident Chef, these engaging classes and private dining experiences offer fun, expert guidance and kitchen secrets that will leave you hungry for more.