Mary has been cooking and has been teaching cooking for more than 20 years. This is a place where…read moreyou'll understand what food is, what are basic, necessary elements to a dish, what elements go together, where to buy the groceries from, what liquor, wine, beer, alcohol or non-alcoholic drink would pair the best with the dish. She has an extensive knowledge about food, wine, restaurants, ingredients and holistically culinary art. She can cook different cuisines from French classic to Italian pasta, which will make you wonder why you shouldn't pay more than $15 for a pasta at a restaurant. The sea food classes are from fresh lobsters, clams, etc., from the east coast. She has the seafood ingredients flown in during the right time of the year, that's the reason you'll get limited seafood classes. I highly recommend at least one seafood class. The bourbon class has been a hit since last few years (approx. 7) and you'll understand what can you do with a simple Jim beam. The Indian cuisine is made with the exact Indian ingredients you will get in India, and spoiler alert, she will tell you the exact place you can buy turmeric and black pepper for $2 and not $20. What's the difference between a store bought mayonnaise vs homemade mayonnaise, real vanilla vs the imitation vanilla, when are where you should pay for food and why, and when are where you shouldn't waste your money on expensive food and why. The Mexican town tour is a must attend. Mary and her team will take you to Mexican town and have you taste the authentic Mexican cuisine, suggest places you should buy your fresh ingredients. Obviously Taste A Cook's Place is a success because of the entire team. Sammy has been an excellent cook, Baker, server and a helper in the kitchen. She has been vegetarian for last 5-6 years, but knows how to cook a chicken breast and steak. All this comes from Mary and her training. Mary Christopher has been an excellent Baker and her preciseness towards perfection is an example of how a baker should be. Jen is an excellent helper and will be focused on her test, and will work faster and concentrate on quality. And if you have gotten this far reading the review, you might wonder how do i know these things, and why i appreciate this place so much; it's because Mary and her team has made this business into a family, and experience and you can't beat what you get here. You will hear a lotta stories alongside cooking instructions and you will walk out with an intention to open your own restaurant. You pay a reasonable dollar amount (approx $70-$90, depending on the menu) and you get (5-6 dishes) a salad, an appetizer, a soup, two main dishes, a dessert, etc. You are allowed to bring your own wine and you get to take home the recipe with all the hidden secrets, so next time you invite your friends over, you can serve then the best pierogies (polish dumpling) they have ever eaten. 5/5 star.

I realize that this place is called "Taste," however, be ready to engage all five senses when you…read moreattend any of Mary's cooking classes. I have been attending cooking classes with Mary for several years now, and have developed quite a huge stack of recipes from those classes! After my first class (which was a Julia Child-themed class I believe), I was HOOKED... The smell of wonderful things cooking right before your eyes (like interactive LIVE Food Network!) and the relaxed, laid back atmosphere are some of my favorite things about Taste. Of course, my absolute favorite is how wonderfully delicious the food is, and that I usually have to ask for to-go containers because they give you very generous portions of the food that is prepared in each class. The recipes and tips that Mary gives while cooking each dish are priceless, and you can ask her anything during class to help you when you are in your own kitchen at home. The staff is very friendly and eager to accommodate any needs that you might have. Mary is also very knowledgeable about where to purchase and how to purchase various ingredients, like where to buy the best fish and what it's supposed to look like and smell like, or where to go to get the best phyllo dough, and the best (and fastest) way to drain spinach, etc., etc., etc... If you are looking for a pretentious, overpriced, meager-portioned food encounter, go spend your hard-earned money elsewhere. But for a much better value, and the most outstanding food, and the best cooking experience, look no further than Taste: A Cook's Place in Northville, and at www.tasteacooksplace.net/cooking_classes for the latest schedule.