Cooking
Palo Alto Adult School offers an excellent cooking curriculum at the best prices in the area. With an award-winning, cookbook publisher and professionally trained chefs as our instructors, our students return each quarter to enhance their culinary repertoire.
NOTE: Most of our classes are participation style, allowing you to learn as you cook. Cleanup is minimal. Food fees are included in the registration fee, so don’t come full! No refunds will be given for missed classes. Classes are listed in date order. Bring containers for possible leftovers.
- SUSHI MAKING
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One session · March 23
Tuesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »Back by very popular demand! Tonight will be a hands-on workshop on making California Rolls, Philadelphia Rolls, Ahi, Shiitake Maki and Cucumber Rolls. In addition we will make a classic Miso Soup along with a delightful Asian salad with scallions, sesame seeds and radishes in a ginger, rice vinegar dressing.
- CHOCOLATE CAKES AND CREATIVE DECORATING
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One session · April 7
Wednesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Cindy Roberts cinroberts@sbcglobal.net Register Now »
Advance your knowledge of chocolate and
never set foot in the bakery for a cake again.
We’ll learn a Classic Chocolate Cake and
an Almost Flourless Cake, accompanied by
glaze and frosting. Learn various creative
decorating techniques to use on either cake:
stencils; marbling; and chocolate rolls, walls,
triangles and leaves. - APPETIZERS SURE TO PLEASE!
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One session · April 20
Tuesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »Does your appetizer repertoire need a boost? We will make Ruby Port Soaked Dried Figs with Prosciutto; Gorgonzola in homemade wonton cups; Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Quesadilla with horseradish and dill; Guiltless Mushroom Pate with savory mushrooms, sherry and parsley; and Asian Eggplant with sesame seeds and soy on crostini.
- PICNIC IN THE PARK
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One session · April 21
Wednesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Cindy Roberts cinroberts@sbcglobal.net Register Now »
Bring fabulous homemade dishes for your next picnic in the
park or concert in Stern Grove. Learn to make interesting
yet easy dishes that will spice up your next picnic such as:
Marinated Zucchini, Eggplant and Peppers with Hoisin Sauce,
Spicy Chicken Noodles, Baguette Sandwich with Roasted Eggplant,
Tomatoes with Pesto and Ooey Gooey Brownies. - MAKE AHEAD FOR A BUFFET PARTY!
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One session · April 22
Tuesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »Our menu includes: artichoke, cheddar and scallion frittata; chicken with mushrooms, lemon and sundried tomatoes in a creamy wine sauce; and orzo with caramelized shallots, oregano and olives. Lastly, dessert: chocolate chip bottomless cupcakes with a creamy cheese filling.
- CHEESE, CHEESE AND MORE CHEESE!
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One session · April 27
Tuesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $60
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »
Back by popular demand, Steve Rasmussen
from the Milk Pail Market in Mountain View
will discuss many cheeses, such as triple
cream, soft cheese from Europe and goat
cheese. Yannette Edwards will demonstrate
Savory Rosemary and Parmesan Crackers,
Goat Cheese Wrapped Grapes rolled in
crushed pistachio nuts and Goat Cheese
Mushroom Crostini. - MEXICAN FIESTA
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One session · May 4
Monday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early! We
will make the best ever homemade Guacamole,
traditional Tortilla Soup from Guadalajara
with all the trimmings, Baja Shrimp
with green chilis and tequila, and Mexican
Chocolate Cake with cinnamon. Yannette
will share several award-winning Margarita
recipes from Cancun!) Yum! - INDIAN COOKING
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One session · May 5
Wednesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Ramesh and Bharati Joshi Register Now »If you think Indian food is too spicy or high in fat, think again! The Joshis will take the mystery out of aromatic, mild, low fat and nutritious Indian cuisine. Learn from experts how to prepare delicious Chicken Curry, Pullao (rice), Puri (fluffy bread), Chole (spicy garbanzo beans), and Aaloo Gobi (potatoes and cauliflower). Taste and enjoy! Bring leftover containers.
- COOKING FOR SINGLES… OR A SPECIAL SOMEONE
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One session · May 11
Tuesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »Feeling uninspired when cooking for one? Come to class tonight and learn to make: Black-and-White Sesame Chicken Breasts with a rice vinegar/cilantro marinade; Pork Medallions with a green peppercorn and Dijon/wine sauce; Almond Crusted Salmon with capers and lemon; and Mango Chutney Chicken. It is all inspiring!
- INDIAN CHAAT (SAVORY SNACKS)
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One session · May 12
Wednesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Ramesh and Bharati Joshi Register Now »"Chaat' refers to small plates of savory Indian snacks, typically served from roadside stalls or carts. Professional chef couple Bharati and Ramesh Joshi will teach you to make Chaats such as: Bombay Bhel (spicy yellow noodles, puffed rice and chutney), Sev Puri and Dahi Puri (puffed puri filled with yellow noodles, chopped onions, chutney, yogurt and spices), Dahivada, Samosa and Chhole.
- FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTERTAINING WORKSHOP
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One session · May 18
Wednesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »
Tonight we will break down the elements of party planning.
Learn how to plan menus, set an elegant table, create
invitations and choose wine and cocktails. We will also make
Grapefruit Minted Ice, a perfect in-between course and palate
cleanser, and an elegant Scallop Ceviche in a mini-martini
glass. Bring your questions. - ITALIAN COOKING AND TASTING IN ITALIAN — Cuciniamo e parliamo italiano!
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Session 1
One session · May 20
Thursday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Session 2
One session · May 27
Thursday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Stefania Filigheddu, stefania.filigheddu@gmail.com Register Now »Session 1 (May 20). Class conducted in Italian
Register Now »
Let’s cook Italian food while speaking in Italian! Stefania, a native Italian and kitchen-lover, will teach you to prepare authentic fresh fettuccine starting from eggs, followed by filetto al pepe verde. Finally, taste a homemade dessert and learn how to use the classic Italian moka espresso! machine (regular or decaf coffee). Buon appetito!Session 2 (May 27). Class conducted in Italian
Taste Italian specialties and speak Italian! Discuss regional festivals, cheeses and affettati, such as: Prosciutto di Parma, Speck Alto Adige and Burrata from Puglia. Taste soft, semisoft and seasoned cheese from cows or sheep. Learn how to present them using fruit, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil or honey. Buon appetito! - PASTA AND RISOTTO
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One session · May 25
Tuesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »
Tonight learn the secrets to making perfect pasta and
creamy risotto. We will make four dishes: Lemon Broccoli
Risotto, Smoked Scallop and Hazelnut Fettuccini in a
creamy sauce, Pasta Amatriciana (a fusilli pasta with tomatoes,
pancetta, olives, capers in a spicy sauce); and Risotto
with onions and smoked salmon in a cognac reduction. - SPECTACULAR SUMMER SALADS
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One session · Jun 1
Tuesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Yannette Fichou Edwards, yannette@culinary-events.com, www.culinary-events.com Register Now »Summer heat is just around the corner, so be ready with some cool, refreshing salads. Something different: Tuna Carpaccio with spicy arugula and shallots; South Seas Beef Salad with Thai basil, ginger, mint and Cilantro; an unusual three bean salad of edamame and black and white beans with red onion and celery in lime dressing; and Asian Cabbage Slaw with snow peas, radishes and sliced almonds in a soy vinaigrette.
- ALL ABOUT TOMATOES: BEYOND TOMATO SAUCE
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One session · Jun 2
Wednesday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Cindy Roberts cinroberts@sbcglobal.net Register Now »
Come explore the unique qualities of the
vast array of tomatoes on the market with
a tomato taste-testing. Then learn how to
turn your tomatoes into a Mexican or Italian
menu. Menu for this class: Mexican Rice;
Fresh Tomato Salsa; Summer Vegetable Tart;
Insalada Tri Colore; Tomato, White Bean and
Sorrel Soup; and Linguine with Tomatoes,
Fennel, Olives and Walnuts.
Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges