As much as I like to eat, learning the techniques, tips and tricks of a real chef is a priceless gift. Dear friends of mine planned a day for us with Lisa, who made everything look effortless! From the incredible setting in Lisa's spacious kitchen to the actual sit down meal served with a stunning view of Diamond Head, ocean and sky --- it was flawless! Our custom plant-based menu began with making dessert. Why you ask? A chef knows you start with the item that takes the longest to make. Everyone got to help make the strawberry peach fruit crisp, from slicing the fruit to making the crumble topping. The forbidden black rice with herbs, cashews and coconut was next, followed by green beans with a toasted sesame "dressing" and the ubiquitous miso soup with wakame, shimeji mushrooms and silken tofu. Meanwhile, Lisa also whipped up pan fried tofu with a scallion chili ponzu. Deeelicious!! Lisa patiently and eloquently explained the ingredients and where she sourced them. We tasted an amazing sesame seed found only in Kyoto and a flavorful soy sauce with a round mouthful that made all others pale in comparison. Needless to say we were awestruck and enlightened. Every bite was savored and every flavor stamped in memory! I'll not soon forget this amazing experience with a trained nutritionist who turned cooking into a culinary adventure! Even the pictures may not tell the whole story as all the ingredients held their own and shined in a way that turned the ordinary into extraordinary. Thank you to Lisa and my dear friends Tracy, Cheri, Laura, Susan and Velvet for the Best. Birthday. Surprise. Ever! Highly recommend! read more

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We had the best time with Wellness Hawaii! We booked this as part of a Christmas gift for our kids, 17 & 14. Lisa was accommodating with a family member's allergies and helped us pick the perfect menu for my picky eaters. The kids had the best time making gyoza! They even were surprised at how much they liked the dessert (made with tofu)! We learned so much and plan to make the dishes at home. I cannot recommend this experience enough! If you are visiting Oahu - this is one of the best experiences you can book. If you live here, the view alone is worth it! I will definitely be back with some friends to celebrate their retirements. read more

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This experience was one of the very best I've had in Hawaii, like top 3! Lisa is a wonderful teacher, with a wealth of knowledge and information. We did the Japanese Cooking Class and it was wonderful. From the lore about the ingredients to the opportunities for all of us to participate to the chance to enjoy the fruits of our labors, it was exceptional. Not to mention the incredible views from her home above Honolulu and her delightful dogs (who only came out at the end because we begged her to share them). Definitely time well spent on Oahu! read more

Wellness Kitchen - Enjoying the wonderful Japanese food we prepared with Lisa! - Cooking Classes Near Me

What an amazing way to celebrate a birthday! From the moment we arrived, stunning kahala and ocean views, a bright, comfy, modern minimalist, and a relaxed vibe that made everyone feel right at home. Chef Lisa took things to another level. Not only is she super knowledgeable about food, but she's also incredibly kind and easy to talk to. She kept things fun and organized, teaching us about healthy ingredients and where to shop for them, and shared ideas for creative meal options. Hanging out with her and her beautiful dogs, were honestly the highlight of the day. Lunch was delicious--a beautiful vegan spread curated just for the guest of honor. Everything we super delish!!! Each dish was packed with flavor, high grade ingredients and made with so much care. We all sat around the table, enjoying it all, with loads of love and laughter. It felt like the perfect gathering. We all agreed: this was hands down the best birthday any of us had ever been to. Good people, amazing food, and we left already looking forward to the next get-together, hopefully in this special place. read more

Where do I begin and where do I end? I highly recommend this experience--as well as Lisa's other courses--to anyone interested in learning about healthy, delicious, home-cooked meals. The food was outstanding: fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. Lisa's knowledge of nutrition and healthy cooking is truly impressive, and she shares it in such an approachable and engaging way. My wife and I had the pleasure of taking one of her classes, and we'll absolutely be returning for more. During our session, we prepared fresh chicken meatballs with teriyaki sauce, miso soup, brown rice, and a crisp cabbage salad with homemade dressing. Every dish was both nourishing and full of flavor. If you're looking to learn how to make fresh, wholesome meals from scratch, look no further--Lisa delivers a top-tier experience. Her home and kitchen are impeccably clean and well-organized, adding to the overall quality of the class. Lisa is exceptional, and while we wish we had more time on the island to attend additional classes, we are already planning our return. - BJ read more

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Lisa was a wonderful teacher! This was the 2nd class my daughter and I have taken with her and we loved both. She's patient, kind, knowledgable, and her recipes are delicious. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves to eat or cook. read more

Great class, easy recipes to follow, fantastic teacher and wonderful over all experience. Learned a lot of tips. Can't wait to try and make these dishes at home for my family. They were all so yummy. Looking forward to attending another class soon! read more

We had the most wonderful experience with Lisa and cooking a plant based meal! The view was absolutely stunning & Lisa's sweet pups made the whole atmosphere even more warm & welcoming. The food was incredible--fresh flavorful & a perfect way to celebrate a dear friend's milestone birthday with such special friends. We made the following dishes: Korean Pam-Fried Tofu with Scallion Chili Ponzu, Green Beans Dressed with Toasted Sesame (Goma-ae), Miso Soup with Wakame, Shimeji Mushroom & Soft Tofu & Forbidden Rice Salad with Fresh Herbs, Coconut & Cashews & our dessert was a Peach Strawberry Fruit Crisp which was beyond delicious. Lisa does an amazing job guiding us through the class, sharing some simple yet powerful cooking tips that made a lasting impression. This definitely was a fun, memorable, and inspiring afternoon. I would HIGHLY recommend taking a class from Lisa! read more

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we are still savoring the misoyaki butterfish , the Dashi soup, oh!, dreamt of the simmered kabocha squash and the fresh, lively daikon salad just delighted! Lisa is personable, gracious, and educational as she wields knives with precision ! my family could not stop talking about the experience -the incredible view below and what we learned about Japanese cooking and culture. oh the popovers and mango butter... I am afraid the extra did not make it home! I have already ordered the pan and ingredients to make the soup this week. I will enthusiastically recommend this class to anyone who has the good fortune of having a few hours on Oahu to take home a memory that I will never forget! we are already planning a return to this cooking class next year! read more

I can't say enough amazing things about our experience with Lisa at Wellness Kitchen. From pre-booking to the very delicious dessert course, every interaction was wonderful. Lisa is a kind, patient, and knowledgeable host and teacher. We loved learning from her and chatting with her. Every dish was made with lots of aloha and clearly the highest quality of ingredients. Lisa gave us loads of practical advice since we're novice cooks, and we felt very confident that we could duplicate these recipes at home (though we very much wish we could always have Lisa guiding us in the kitchen)! Our experience was so outstanding that I immediately booked our next class so that we could continue to learn from her. I highly recommend this unique, memorable experience and will continue to rave about Lisa to anyone who will listen :) read more

We are 3 baby boomers who gladly wear the title of repeaters, our 4th visit 2 weeks ago. Lisa has created a serene haven in her home, filled with understated sophistication, neutral Zen palette of color. Although it's furnished with few items that speak of designer quality, it still conveys a warm, comfy feeling, allowing her 2 furry companions the run of the house. They were a delite. Lisa once again created another fantastic repast, India themed this time, commencing with flaky samosas. Followed by palak paneer, South Indian green bean poriyal, North Indian butter chicken, which sauce we gladly devoured with garlic naanbread and jasmine like rice. As a final cleansing of the palate, she concocted her own version of Indian masala Chai, not the overly sweetened drink, but a more authentic version which'll spoil you. So once again, thank you Lisa. From the 3 baby boomers, who look forward to our next (5th) culinary adventure. Lisa is also a walking encyclopedic of spices, pantry items that she deconstructs to make it more user friendly. read more

My daughter and I spent a lovely time with Lisa learning to make a Thai meal . We made spring rolls, pad thai and green curry, as well as popovers and a tofu chocolate mousse. Not only great fun but we feel proficient to make these dishes at home. Lisa is a great person as well as a great teacher read more

If you're looking for a fun activity and laughs with your friends or family I highly recommend Lisa & wellness kitchen. Myself and 2 of my girlfriends spent an amazing afternoon with Lisa. Not only did we have SO MUCH FUN cooking food, but we learned so much about the food and the history behind the food we were eating. I was always very nervous in the kitchen, but the dishes we made were so simple (they didn't look simple) and delicious. It boosted my confidence in the kitchen and showed me healthy and delicious go hand in hand. OH! And Lisa has the most adorable doggos that keep you company and give you any emotional support you may need. read more

Wellness Kitchen - Yellowfin tuna collar, miso soup, kombucha, and tofu salad - Cooking Classes Near Me

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My boyfriend and I had an amazing couple hours cooking with Lisa! She gave us so many tips for how to make delicious and nutritious meals at home, and was kind enough to even send over her favorite cream puff and salad recipes after. We really enjoyed how we didn't just learn to make a couple dishes, but learned about soy sauce brands and how to make flavored butters. Highly recommend the misoyaki butterfish with the popover add-on! Definitely one of our highlights in Honolulu. Thank you Lisa for having us at your beautiful home (with the cutest dogs)! read more

Wellness Kitchen - Cooking Classes Near Me

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My best friend's daughter gave us a gift certificate to Wellness Kitchen. We didn't know what to expect because we've never been to anything like this before, let alone being in someone's house. What a great experience! We felt very welcomed from the start, like going to a friend's house for lunch. Lisa not only teaches you how to cook her dishes, she also adds some education about the ingredients used - like when to use olive oil vs avocado oil, why kosher salt, and what umami really means. Lol. We LOVE dogs and her two pups were so sweet and lovable. Added plus for sure!! Already shared the experience with my girlfriends and we are thinking about booking a group experience. We just have to first agree on what dishes we're going to cook! read more

Wellness Kitchen - The cutest pups that we loved playing with - Cooking Classes Near Me

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This cooking class was a fun and an awesome class! We learned a lot about cooking methods, quality products, and how to prepare tasty dishes. Our food was so delicious! Lisa was very kind and fun to work with. We laughed and talked story. She taught us new things that surprised us. The house is clean, comfortable, and has the most beautiful scenery. We had a wonderful experience. I definitely recommend this cooking class. This cooking class was a gift that I am so pleased with, it was totally worth it. Wellness Kitchen HI cooking class is a good idea for friends or family to enjoy together, while learning and eating good food, you're also making wonderful memories. Thank you, Lisa! read more

We booked Lisa's cooking class to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. Not only did we had a fun time, but we learned so much about the dishes that Lisa thought us to cook. Her home is warm and welcoming and Lisa is just an absolute joy to be around. She made us feel welcome and comfortable and we all appreciated her expertise and gentle way to guide us throughout the cooking class. Thank you for having us Lisa and all your patience and kindness! read more

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Of all the treasures of Hawaii, Lisas class was gold! She was so warm & welcoming, & such a fantastic teacher & kind soul. She taught me & my sweet man the science behind everything we prepared & ate-leaving us with knowledgeable about eating nutritious foods that also taste good. Whenever a friend asks me what my favorite part about my trip to Hawaii was, "Lisa's Wellness Kitchen" is always my response. I highly recommend making a wonderful friend with Lisa in her kitchen read more

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Lisa was an amazing host and instructor. Her place was easy to find. She made us feel comfortable and safe from the start. You are provided 3 recipes to take home. Some ingredients were unique and we look forward to using them in our own cooking at home. The recipes were healthy, and tasty, and will be added to our at-home rotation. Our experience was amazing and will be shared with others. We look forward to returning to another class. Bonuses: Lots of fun and laughter, breathtaking views, and two friendly dogs. read more

Lisa continues to deliver. She has her own granola blend that I buy monthly and it is seriously THE BEST. They are more like "granola chunks" which make them that much easier to eat and enjoy Some times I'll break them up to make an acai bowl or add to my greek yogurt. OH and if you are thinking of special holiday gift ideas, I HIGHLY recommend buying a gift card for the experience. I purchased a couple for two friends that are getting married and they mentioned it is one of the best meals/experiences they have ever had. Highly, highly recommend!! read more

My first visit to Wellness Kitchen (Lisa's home) was memorable, enlightening and by far beyond exceptional. Lisa is warm, attentive and bubbly - she makes you feel right at home as if you're family or a longtime friend. I instantly felt comfortable the moment she greeted my mother and I outside of her home. She prepares everything for you ahead of time so you don't have to go through the trouble of stressing out before attending the class. The produce/ingredients are hand-picked and selected specifically to your dietary needs and the amount of individuals attending the class. She measures out the ingredients beforehand and designates small stations in her kitchen for each recipe. We do everything simultaneously so the timing is perfect and you're not standing around for extended periods of time waiting for items to cook/bake. Her recipes are straight-forward and can be easily modified to your tastes or needs. Her dishes are not labor intensive and can be used for any occasion from weekday dinners to holiday/special events. This is ideal for busy individuals with families or demanding work schedules who can't devote half a day to preparing meals. She breaks everything down into detail so that minimal thought is needed when you cook the recipes on your own. Her kitchen is an encouraging space for learning the fundamentals of nutrition and cooking. She makes the overall experience fun and interesting. You learn how to discern quality ingredients at the grocery store to using certain brands/products that are healthier alternatives or efficient in terms of cooking time and zero waste. The best part after you cook everything is that you get to eat together in her beautiful living area. I truly believe that this class is priced right. The drive from the west side was definitely worthwhile. You won't get this kind of experience anywhere else. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a unique learning experience from someone that genuinely loves what they do for a living. read more

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I hired Wellness Kitchen to do a virtual cooking class for my birthday during the pandemic. Wow, what a hit!!! Everyone had a blast and couldn't believe how delicious and fun the food was to prepare. It was not only a fantastic experience during the class, but it was also an outstanding dinner and a lesson that so many attendees used again and again. In particular, Lisa was able to plan an appropriate menu, send ingredient lists in advance, navigate between multiple screens, guests, and questions coming at her, all while remaining calm and collected. She was knowledgeable in response to all questions, and you can tell she understands ingredients, sourcing, and nutrition. And she kept the trains running on time! She sequenced everything perfectly so that there was no awkwardness, and everything was ready at the right time. What a treat to be able to learn from Lisa, and to share it with people all over the country. I'd take her class again virtually, and then I'd fly to Hawaii to take it again! Do the class - trust me, you won't regret it. I'd recommend it not only for personal experiences, but also corporate events. read more

Being this is my first yelp review, I loved the cooking class so much that it was worthy of taking the time to write about it. We felt very welcomed from the moment we stepped into Lisa's home, which felt like a private high-end restaurant itself. The views captured our attention as it overlooked the city and ocean (so beautiful!). If you're not a big cook like myself (I'm a three to five ingredient type of cook), this is a perfect class because it doesn't feel like you're doing too much kitchen work yet you get to reap the benefits of multi-dishes with so many different ingredients. And, the food is delicious! Along the way, she also gives you tips on cooking and quick interesting lessons on food. She grocery shops right before your class so the ingredients are fresh (& healthy/clean). I am so grateful for this experience that not only turned into a daytime date with my fiancé, but more so because Lisa catered to my very specific allergies and food sensitivities. Prior to the class, we were able to email and talk about my food restrictions in order to customize a menu for us! She created or tailored all the recipes to ones that I could eat. I loved the butternut squash and carrot soup topped with hazelnuts. A plus, we didn't feel rushed throughout the cooking and were able to enjoy each step of the way. read more

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@Wellnesskitchenhi hit my radar awhile ago. But due to COVID, the first shutdown, and the second shutdown I never had the opportunity to check it out. Until now! . . . Setting up a time was easy, a simple message via IG and I got a quick response from Lisa, the owner who is also a registered dietician and cooking instructor for the class. She gave me the information and led me to her website for me to choose a menu. The menu can be adapted to meet dietary needs, but there are so many options to choose from that I'm sure you'll find one that sparkles your interest and gets your appetite whet. They will get adjusted based on the what's in season. A simple PayPal transaction and VOILA, you're set. . . . It was easy to find the home, located on the hills of Kahala with a spectacular view of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. It is a gorgeous view to cook to. Lisa is a wonderful friendly host and she followed safety and cleanliness precautions from hand washing to having adequate PPE. . . . We were greeted by fresh popovers with a maple butter and a mango butter to lather on them - a great way to get the experience flowing. Also, her golden retriever Ehu was nearby as a silent observer. Very sweet and mellow. . . . With the recipes in hand, our "Date Night" menu consisted of Delicata Squash with apples and spiced pepitas, Creamy Braised Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic, and a Vegan Chocolate Lava Cake. Based on your comfortability you can jump right in to cook as she gives directions or step back to watch as you assist to prepare various components. I say JUMP IN! . . . The meal was delicious. And we definitely were full but the end of it all. But the best part was the experience of it. There's a certain satisfaction when you're able to cook your own meal. Dane and I both are adept cooks - but even this was enjoyable. We were able to develop a rapport with Lisa and she was receptive and open to the interaction. . . . The classes are available for 1-5 people and pricing is based per person. Gift cards are available. She provides water, PPE, aprons, and her home as part of the class. Want to drink something besides water? It's BYOB. It truly was a lovely experience. We were glad to be able share it for our celebration week. . . . . #yelphawaii #yelpelitesquad #frolichawaii #hawaiifoodie #yelpelitehawaii #yelpelite #foodie #hawaiifoodies #honolulufoodie #honolulufoodies #hawaiisbestkitchens #eatdrinkhawaii . . . PC: @wellnesskitchenhi and @no1els read more

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My husband and I took Lisa Matsunaga's cooking class in her home today. It was so much fun and delicious. She is a dietitian and makes healthy and appetizing dishes. The view of Honolulu and Diamond Head is amazing! It was a great activity for all ages. Give it a try! You won't be disappointed! read more

Great recipes and just enough hands on to make it fun. Lisa is a gracious teacher & shared her recommendations - she chose very healthy, but tasty ingredients - (e. g., subbing some of the sugar w/pureed roasted beets). Our menu was lava cake, daikon salad w/umeboshi/vinagrette, tomago (scrambled egg) roll w/grated daikon & tofu:Dashi soup and miso butterfish & brown rice. We shared chopping/cooking duties between six of us, so not everyone was hands on at all times. The food was delicious - seriously delicious. The butterfish was as good as what you get at a high end restaurant (we ALWAYS go to Roy's at least once for the butterfish & the lava cake .... Now we can cook our own..!). Lisa's house is the perfect setting, high in the hills/a gorgeous view of the ocean & downtown. The kitchen is well appointed and she has all of the kitchen equipment/dishes/bowls, etc. to make it a great experience. read more

After my husband and I enjoyed our cooking class with Lisa, I knew I had to bring my mom. We chose the authentic Japanese misoyaki lunch, and added popovers. The ambiance is so peaceful and soothing-- it really felt like we were on vacation. Lisa is warm and friendly, and of course has a wealth of knowledge. Although my mom is a good cook, Lisa shared many tips and tricks that she didn't know about. The menu Lisa has curated is simple enough to replicate at home, especially with her seemingly minor yet important kitchen hacks. Each dish is satisfying and delicious. The Wellness Kitchen provides the perfect cooking class-- a fun and engaging experience, recipes we can cook ourselves, and a decadent meal in a beautiful setting. We would love to come back and try all of Lisa's menus, and of course add on her delicious popovers every time! Thank you for a wonderful experience, Lisa! read more

Wellness Kitchen - Seared Scallops with Silky Mushroom Risotto - Cooking Classes Near Me

Took an awesome cooking class on Oahu today. Lisa with Wellness Kitchen was a phenomenal instructor. Made misoyaki butterfish, kabocha, clear soup, daikon salad and popover with mango and maple syrup butter. Everything was DELICIOUS. Can't wait to try out all the dishes!! read more

My girlfriend and I signed up for this amazing cooking class. We needed a "date night" without our kids around and this was perfect! It was hands on from start to finish. We got to choose our level of involvement based on our personal comfort level and cooking skill. Lisa is very knowledgeable in what shes teaching us. Very friendly and inviting atmosphere. In the end, we got to eat all the food we cooked. My girlfriend, who isnt a cook, was so happy she cooked something so delicious! The recipes were so easy and now we want to go back for another class already. Lisa understands the need for HEALTHY food but not at the cost of flavor. She was able to balance everything to keep it healthy (and even dessert was VEGAN) and tasting like a 5 star restaurant. This was beyond a fun bonding experience and would highly recommend it to any couple that wants to learn some new tricks in the kitchen. read more

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We had an amazing afternoon cooking with Lisa. Her ingredients are incredibly fresh, and she shares a ton of knowledge about every component of the meal. Sooo enjoyable and absolutely delicious. Absolutely recommend! read more

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What an amazing experience! I decided to do something different... and elected to take my wife to a cooking class for her birthday. Lisa, the owner of Wellness Kitchen, was an amazing instructor. She was so giving with her knowledge and made the entire experience really enjoyable. We are already planning our next two classes with her. Five star experience and a five star instructor. read more

What a wonderful experience. Fun, relaxing, educational and most importantly delicious.

My husband and I were looking to celebrate our anniversary a little differently this year. Why not take a cooking class? Lisa and the Wellness Kitchen did not disappoint! The menu we selected (Mediterranean) was excellent, the venue (Lisa's home) was gorgeous, and Lisa (our teacher/host) was so kind and fun! I've told all of my friends and family about our experience and would recommend the Wellness Kitchen to anyone who'll listen. Maybe this will be a new anniversary tradition?? Thanks again Lisa! read more

Wellness Kitchen - Making desert, apple crisp - Cooking Classes Near Me

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Lisa made us feel welcome from the moment she opened her door to her lovely home. My husband and I learned a lot about Japanese dishes and how they are prepared. Lisa was great, very knowledgeable, very helpful, and the 3 hours we were there just flew by. We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend the Wellness Kitchen for a private cooking class. read more

Lisa was so amazing! She explained everything she was doing as well as why she choose certain ingredients and ways of preparing the dish. Everything was very clean and safe. The food was so delicious and I can't wait to try it at home!! I will definitely go back for more! It was a great experience overall!!! read more

Really enjoyed the cooking class. I took my 11 year old grand daughter (who wants to be chef) and she learned a lot from Lisa. I would definitely recommend the cooking class! Food was awesome too!! read more

If you are looking for a thoroughly delightful and marvelous culinary experience like no other, I highly recommend Wellness Kitchen Hawaii by Lisa Matsunaga. I discovered this priceless treasure while reading about her cooking class in the Oct/Nov issue of the HI Luxury magazine. Intrigued by the concept of cooking a savory, yet healthy meal in the intimate setting of her beautiful home (she takes up to 5 participants), I eagerly signed up with little expectations except that it would be a somewhat fun adventure. What I actually experienced was a memorably blissful and incredibly joy filled afternoon. Upon your arrival, Lisa makes you feel instantly welcomed with her warm and charming personality. Lisa uses only the freshest of organic ingredients, gives you interesting nutritional information and offers many helpful tips on the preparation of the food. I learned a lot. Her recipes are easy to follow, yet have enough detail and uses familiar ingredients so they can be easily replicated at home. As we prepared everything, her kitchen smelled heavenly. We completed a rustic, home cooked meal with an entrée, salad and dessert in no time. I was thinking that this was would be an ideal meal to prepare with friends/family and consume with a nice bottle of wine. The culminating event was sharing this meal with Lisa. While overlooking a fabulous panoramic view of east Honolulu, I couldn't help but think that this moment is truly as good as it gets. Sharing food brings people together and there is no better way to enjoy one another. Time flew by too quickly. When it was all over, I vowed to return with more friends soon. read more

For tasty and healthy recipes you'll want to make for yourself and share with others, Lisa provides that balance served in a welcoming setting with one of the most breathtaking views of Waikiki and Diamond Head. The Japanese meal was a big hit with my family and so easy!Buying the ingredients was also easy because Lisa tells you where to source all the items so you're not running all over town. The best part is you'll want to make the recipes because they aren't fussy, and I feel good about cooking healthy food to share with family. Can't wait to take her other classes! read more