came as a plus one for a company event! if you're viewing this experience from that perspective, i…read morethink it's a great! they're super organized and know how to cater to a large group (~25 people) really well. we assembled a berry tart to bake at the start then got to build our own bruschetta combos. there was whipped feta, turkish apricot, and orange chutney as bases, and you could top it with mint, tomatoes, bell pepper, and cucumber. at the end before we ate, we took turns seasoning the chicken and watched a demo on how she made the carrot hummus. i didn't learn as much actual cooking as i was hoping. i'll have to try their public classes instead!

Such a fun date night experience! The cooking classes are held in a beautiful space in east Austin…read moreand are lead by very talented and kind chefs. They describe it as a "recreational" cooking class, which means there is some light cooking involved but they've done a lot of the heavy lifting which takes the stress out of the experience and maximizes enjoyment. There were about 15 people total in the class. It's BYOB and they give you all the recipes after. We attended the New American Mediterranean class. Menu items included strawberry gazpacho, an arugula salad, carrot hummus, lovely grilled chicken marinated in Mediterranean spices, and berry ricotta tarts for dessert. Each item was more epic than the last. My girlfriend and I agreed that this was the best meal we've had in a long time. Absolutely delicious! We can't wait to try some of the recipes at home, and attend another cooking class (possibly the Italian one!) soon.

This review is for their Blue Ribbon courses only. I attended a six hour, Saturday course for…read morecooking a Tuscany menu. I purchased the gift card from Travelzoo at half price. So, based off what I paid and the food we ate, the skills we learned, and the class itself, I definitely recommend it. The class started at 9am and we spent 3 hours going through basics of cooking broccolini, cannelloni beans, prime rib, and a pine nut cake. We spent roughly 1.5-2 hours preparing the meal and eating it. For someone who has never taken a cooking course and a husband who is not adept at cooking, this made a great date and fun meal. Of course, I will not say it is for experts or someone looking to go into culinary schools. However, it was fun, different, and interesting. It was also a lot of work. Get ready to learn, sample, and produce. And, eat whatever you produce. Take notes. Come early because the location is totally confusing if you have never been. The instructors were very nice, knowledgable, friendly, and had fun tips. Maybe these are tips people already know who cook, but they were new and fun to me. I recommend this class for a somewhat adventurous spirit, as a couples' date, ladies' day out, or for people who want to check out what it feels like to work in a commercial kitchen. Do NOT go if you feel like you are a master chef already or you will be disappointed. Don't go if you don't want to cook or sit and learn for a few hours. The (I'm assuming) students helping were very nice and cleaned all your dishes, cleared your area, and helped out if you had questions.

This is a long one...I apologize. Basically--from start to finish, this "school" was a big scam…read more I attended the culinary program. The admissions guy, Brent, sold the program very nicely. Made it seem like I'd learn how to be a chef and be ready for a career in the industry, in fact, an externship was a requirement to graduate. I signed the papers and paid for the school...it was not cheap. Almost $20,000. One year and a half later all I have to show for it is a nice set of knives, some books, a $10 an hour job and a much lower credit score. My experience here was horrible. Several students left out of frustration. Most of the instructors seems knowledgable and had some experience in the restaurant industry. However--they would frequently arrive to class late. When everyone else is there at 7 am, it's frustrating when there is no instructor. Also--the curriculum was ridiculous. The instructors usually just read from the PowerPoint presentations that they barely knew how to operate and that obviously weren't prepared by them. We were presented with so much information and such little structure, I don't really understand that they really expected us to retain the information, rather they were just trying to cram as much into such a small amount of time. Needless to say, much of what was presented (if it wasn't written down) was useless. I suppose that we did work with some pretty good ingredients, it was occasionally fun and very, very easy. But that's not really what I was hoping for, exactly. The admissions director sold the school as being something completely different. There was no structure at all. We never even learned the basics of working in a kitchen or even the tools that we'd use in a kitchen. Frequently the instructors would just do everything themselves without explaining how they did it, simply because it was faster than having us do it. Having someone talk you through the process of making gnocchi is great, but it doesn't give you any of the skills you need for a job making pasta in a restaurant...because for that you need experience. When I started my externship (which I had to find completely on my own) I was completely unprepared for the position. I was able to pick it up, through the help of my employers. On top of my fairly disappointing education I received from Le Cordon Bleu, I also received quite a shock when I checked my credit report. The school had taken out almost $5,000 worth of loans that I had not authorized. The money was eventually returned to "the government" and I didn't end up owing them anything, but it stills shows up on my credit report. They did this without my consent. It was unacceptable. Litigation is probable. After all this, if you're still reading, realize...you will learn a few things about food at this school. But that comes at a price that is completely not worth it. This school will not prepare you for any type of job in the industry. Please save your money and your sanity--get an entry level job in a kitchen and move your way up. It's much easier than you'd imagine. If you do decide to attend school here, remember that you will be paying the school for two months while you work...which means that Le Cordon Bleu will be making money off you even when they've done nothing to help you. It's a very elaborate scam. These private schools need to be stopped. They prey on the poor and market to parents and people with good credit so that they can make money off your loans and putting you in debt. Don't become a victim. There are plenty of other options.

I'll be perfectly honest with my review. The concept is understandable however if you are just…read morestarting or thinking about a career in food or hospitality then online is not for you. Do hands on. If you have been in kitchens for years like me then yes, apply. You will learn so many techniques. I guarantee you. Thank you Escoffier for a great experience!

VA/MILITARY STUDENTS BEWARE!!! Their process to certify your classes is non existent. The…read moreresponsibility falls completely on the student. The VA Department youre used to from other schools? Doesn't exist here. I've been to 4 schools, and this is the worst, most grossly inhumane experience thus far. As a student who DEPENDS on my benefits since the passing of my father, Escoffier has left me destitute. They do not care about your Military affiliation, nor do they have any resepect for your service to this country.

I signed up for The Naked Bite's "Quick Weeknight Meals and Variations" class last week. I am…read moretrying to incorporate more veggies into my diet, but knew I would need some help making them more exciting and flavorful. The class was a public class taught at Chef Amber's beautiful home, and I was joined by 9 other people eager to become more "green". Chef Amber was super personable, friendly, and clearly passionate about teaching us how to make healthy food that we want to eat, that is nutritious, and quick enough to put together for a weeknight dinner. I not only came away with 5 recipes I feel comfortable recreating on my own (and a multitude of variations, thank you!), but also picked up some knife skills, tips on kitchen utensils to use, tricks on how to store garlic and make my own veggie broth and so much more. Additionally, the atmosphere and vibe at Chef Amber's allows you to feel very comfortable asking questions, sharing life stories, cracking jokes (maybe that's due to the wine?), and overall having a ton of fun. I've already made a few of the recipes, Sunflower & Kale Pesto with Crudite and Kale Salad with Toasted Almonds, Avocado and Lemon Vinaigrette, for friends that we've had over and both received rave reviews. I highly recommend this class to anyone that is interested in eating great tasting food that makes you feel good. This class is not just for vegetarians! There were a few people in this class who had formerly shunned veggies and they came away the most excited about this experience. Can't wait to try out more recipes!

From the owner: The Naked Bite offers public and private cooking classes, as well as small event catering services…read more Our culinary style is plant-driven (though not exclusive) and integrates global flavors while focusing on local and organic ingredients. We believe that pure food is synonymous with enjoyment and overall health. If you are interested in adding some vibrant knowledge to nourish you and your family, our cooking classes or personal chef services are for you! If you follow a special diet such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, you'll find plenty of options here. Hope you're hungry; it's time to take The Naked Bite! ~Chef Amber Antonelli

Highly recommend doing a cooking class for the team event! As part of the planning team, I'm glad…read morethat this session received a lot of good feedback. This is also an element of surprise as this experience is refreshing compared to a normal dine out. 30 of us traveled from California and had our team offsite in Austin. We spent one night doing cooking class with SilverWhisk. The venue was a fancy $2.4M house with a pool. It looked right out of Vogue and amazing. By the time we arrived, the appetizers (Tuna crackers) and Sangria were already set up (delicious) and the chefs were preparing for the cooking session. The whole session was very organized and the staff were very friendly. While many of us are not good at the cooking, we received great instruction and the end result turned out to be great! Would totally do it again if our team ever visit Austin again.

Hi! We had a corporate team building activity with 11 people! We had SO MUCH FUN!…read more First off the space was GORGEOUS! Our Chefs (Chef Jerry and Chef Priscilla) were SO kind, patient, fun, and organized! The meals we made were awesome and something that we could all make at home, not "too fancy" where we'd have to go to a special store to get, but also just the right amount of "newness" for some of us that might not try on our own at home...like handmade pasta or from scratch chocolate mousse. We had two teams. One team took Italian and made a handmade Bolognese pasta dish. The second team cooked a Mexican Chicken and Rice dish. Both teams prepared a dessert as well. It was the most fun most people have had at a corporate event! *So much better than a stuffy overpriced steak dinner!* I could see this being a great way to start a bachelorette party, friend gathering, family reunion, birthday party, date night with other couples, etc.! We hope you open up more spots in different cities! Highly encourage it!

Now that I've graduated from TCA, I'm a little bitter. In the beginning they promised they would…read morehelp us get great jobs and be with us every step of the way. Bullshit. Those women in the career services department are worthless (trust me, I used to work with them) I was out of work for 6 months right out of school and they didn't lift a finger to help me. They wouldn't even return my phone calls. It was very frustrating. Also, this didn't happen to me, but like 5 of my friends. If you are behind on your RIC loan payments when you graduate, they will not let you have your diploma, which I don't think is fair at all. I went through 2 very shitty and humiliating jobs (minimum wage baking jobs with other TCA students.) before I gave up on baking, which seems to be the trend among my classmates. We started school with 32 people, less than 20 made it to graduation, less than 5 are actually working in kitchens now, and 3 have gone back to school to change professions. Most of us are unemployed, and some have found jobs that they could've gotten without burying themselves in debt. Save your money and just go get a job. The certificate you receive from this school does not help you get a job, it's just a huge waste of money. I sent out over 100 resumes last summer to plain ol bakeries and cupcake shops saying "Look, I have this degree, I know how to cook!" but the response I got from 99 of them was "But what's your experience. We don't care about this degree, where have you worked, how long have you been in the field" When I finally got a job, I think they hired me out of pity. Seriously, the best advice I can give to someone thinking about going to TCA is just go out and find a job. Save your time and money.

This is a horrible scam school which has had multiple class action lawsuits against them…read morenationally. They misrepresent the value of their education which is worthless at best. Most people that I know who went to this school have either defaulted on their student loans or are in a lifetime amount of debt. Most job prospects for graduates from this school are minimum wage jobs. Please do not go to this school. It is a complete rip off and is not worth the pain, heartbreak, and lifelong debt. I hate having to give this even 1 star...

We came here for a pasta bianca cooking class. I'd say it wasn't really a cooking class per se, as…read morewe were pretty much only responsible for making the pasta dough; the sauces and all the other dishes were prepared by the chef, with mostly showing and explaining. Going in, for some reason, I had the conception that we were going to be split into groups and then each group would be responsible for one of the dishes. Anyways, it ended up being more of a chill relaxing time, with the chef doing 95 percent of the cooking for us. So, I would classify this as more of an interactive meal experience, where you get to craft a tiny portion of the meal (in this case, the pasta dough), and do some light preparation, such as prepping herbs. It was pretty fun, tasty food and nice dessert. Also super friendly host. Oh yeah, they have chickens in the backyard. And there was this cute kitten around in the front.

1. Agenda: We attended the public Pasta Bianca class this Thursday from 6:30-8:30 PM. Before the…read moreclass officially started, we enjoyed an appetizer prepared by our instructor and took a brief tour of the lovely backyard. We had some casual conversations with the host and other guests, which made for a warm, welcoming start. The class began with a demonstration on how to prepare fresh pasta dough using semolina flour, water, and salt. After watching the technique, we each made our own dough, wrapped it in plastic, and let it rest. Next, we moved on to sauce-making -- a hands-on but light part of the class. The instructor led the process and explained the ingredients and techniques, while we assisted. We made pesto, tomato sauce, and a pepper vinaigrette, learning about how to choose quality ingredients and balance flavors. Then we learned how to shape malloreddus and trofie pasta. As we made our own versions, the instructor gave helpful feedback and prepped dinner items like salad with vinaigrette and homemade croutons. To finish, she cooked our pasta, tossed them with the sauces, plated everything beautifully, and we all sat down to enjoy the delicious meal we had helped create. 2. Venue: The class is hosted in a charming house on Chatham Avenue, decorated with cool artwork and featuring a lovely backyard -- cozy, relaxed, and thoughtfully designed. 3. Teamwork: There were two other groups in the class. Each group prepared their own pasta, and the food was cooked separately. We all enjoyed the fruits of our own labor, but the atmosphere encouraged casual conversation and mutual appreciation. 4. Instruction: Our host, Megan, was fantastic -- warm, funny, and highly skilled. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu (if I heard correctly) and has years of industry experience. She demonstrated key techniques for making flavorful sauces and shaping pasta, offering tips throughout without overwhelming us. 5. Recipe: Everything we made was completely vegan and absolutely delicious. Megan had her own creative twists on classic recipes, and they worked really well -- flavorful, satisfying, and fresh. 6. Tools: The kitchen has everything needed for pasta-making, plus some really neat cooking gadgets. I especially loved their pepper grinder and salt container -- simple but super handy. 7. Parking: Street parking is available. 8. Overall Experience: Megan went above and beyond. She prepared iced water, roasted broccoli, and hummus for us to snack on before class. Although the class was scheduled for two hours, we stayed nearly 45 minutes longer and never felt rushed during the class. When time needed to be managed, she let us know in a clear, friendly way. She also prepared complementary ingredients to pair with our pasta and sauces, and even prepared each of us a delicious vegan chocolate mousse topped with hazelnuts. The basil we used in our pesto came from her garden. Everyone in the class was friendly, and while collaboration wasn't required, conversation flowed naturally. One group offered to take pictures of my husband and me, while another shared pasta-shaping tips. We had such a great time and will definitely be back for another class.

I took an online class through Zoom to learn how to make fresh baguettes and loquat jelly. It was…read morean adult class and I had my 17 year old son engaged as well, mostly because he wanted to impress his girlfriend. My son and I worked side by side on our own batches, watching and listening to chef Pascal as she walked us through the process. Bake Austin provided a way for my son and I to spend special time together during quarantine. Not only that, we learned a great deal and have become better cooks because of it. Since the class I purchased an oven thermometer and a scale. I leaned that my oven takes much more time than I thought to come up to temp! My younger son watched a recording of a brownie class from Bake Austin and made a batch of brownies. The next day he flipped through my cook book and made a 2nd batch of brownies. He's baked at least once per week since watching his first Bake Austin video. I think the video made him realize he could bake, and bake he has! During our strange quarantine period Bake Austin and Chef Pascal have been a bright spot in our lives. I'm incredibly grateful for their time and effort and I hope they receive enough paying customers to make it.

Chef Pascal offered donation based quarantine camps for the kids. They were an absolute blessing…read more My daughter is hyperactive she and doesn't entertain herself well. We have a house with five kids so that led to many fights. Chef Pascal's classes kept her focused on something she has been interested in since she was little. They kept her busy, planning, buying, organizing, and led to nice treats for the family. While not everything she made was easy or worked out, she learned to work through it and learned from the mistakes for next time. She has grown much more confident in her abilities and excited to try new things in the kitchen. We look forward to Bake Austin's summer camps and other future opportunities.