Jordan McCraeAs some of Auckland’s biggest self-proclaimed foodies, our team has hundreds of restaurants on file. We’ve hunted far and wide to taste the city’s food and have tried everything from the worst to the best food joints you can ever imagine.
So one day, we decided, why not learn to make the food we love so much ourselves? That’s when we went on a new tour of the city, this time taking cooking classes in Auckland!
Turns out, the month-long process was worth it as we’ve found the city’s best spots to take our cooking skills to the next level. So now, we’ve added regular potlucks to our team get-togethers, where all of us show off new recipes we’ve learned.
Want to upskill yourself similarly? Luckily for you, we’ll show you which places ended up on our team list of the best Auckland cooking classes today!
Good From Scratch
Website: https://www.goodfromscratch.co.nz/
Address: 376 Taiapa Road, Muriwai 0881, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 411 8808
Admission Fees: Starts at $120 per person
Located in Muriwai, just a 45-minute drive from Auckland’s CBD, The Good From Scratch Cookery School offers cooking classes centered on a fun farm experience. Chef Michael Van de Elzen and his wife run this farm school, where you’ll dive into full-day, hands-on classes.
Classes here involve picking and gathering ingredients for the day’s menu from the kitchen gardens and then learning how to cook from scratch.
Additionally, each class is highly educational, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, observe techniques, and gain skills. At the end of each class, they’ll also teach you how to prepare and present the food with some secret tips!
One of their most popular offerings is their butchery class, where they teach students how to break down a whole animal into small meat cuts and sausages. Of course, it’s accompanied by lessons on how to make side dishes and sauces to complement.
Prices for these classes vary, but they typically start at around $120 per person for a full day. If you’re keen to join in, just hop onto their website to check availability.
Sachie’s Kitchen
Website: http://www.sachieskitchen.com/
Address: 1.4/91 Saint Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 302 7680
Operating hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Admission Fees: Starts at $125 per person
Originally from Japan, Sachie Nomura has been spicing up her cooking classes at Sachie’s Kitchen for over 10 years.
She treats Aucklanders to the flavors of Southeast and Central Asia through three-hour classes. They’re mainly focused on Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Malaysian cuisine.
When you sign up for one of their classes, you’ll get to roll up your sleeves at your very own cooking station, equipped with everything you need – an induction cooktop, fridges, pots and pans, cooking utensils, and fresh ingredients.
You don’t need to bring anything except yourself, though you’re welcome to bring containers to take your food back home. And don’t worry – even though you’re in full control of cooking here, the teachers are there to lend a hand whenever you need it.
Each class at Sachie’s comes with an apron for you to wear and recipes to follow. For regular classes (with up to 14 people), just go to their website, click “Class Calendar,” book, and pay online for instant confirmation.
They are also open for events, groups, or private functions. If that’s something you want to experience, give them a call to make arrangements.
Homeland Cooking School
Website: https://homelandnz.com/cooking-school/
Address: 11 Westhaven Drive, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 869 7555
Operating hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission Fees: Starts at $195 per person
Cooking and eating together are some of life’s best moments, and Homeland Cooking School in Auckland is the perfect spot for both. Their Fisher & Paykel state-of-the-art kitchen has all the latest gear – induction cooktops and fantastic ovens – ideal for mastering any cuisine.
From Peter’s Kaimona Masterclasses to Louise’s baking sessions, there’s always something new cooking up here. There are even guest tutor classes that cover everything from Singaporean street food to Kiwi Italiano, Jewish dishes, Ceviche, and Margaritas.
Everyone, including your kids, will love learning the basics of cooking here, since the classes are open to little ones too. In fact, their weekends are all about fun family activities – you can bring your flatmates, parents, grandparents, and kids along!
On top of that, the vibe at Homeland is relaxed, with cooking stations shared by up to six guests, making it perfect for group fun. And if you’re flying solo or with a buddy, you might just make some new cooking pals too.
Cinnamon Lotus Cook School
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CinnamonLotusTapas/
Address: 48 Robley Crescent, Glendowie, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 21 150 4551
Admission Fees: Around $45 per person
At Cinnamon Lotus Cook School, they make cuisine easy to understand. Run by Chef Patron Vinay Gupta, you can join various cooking classes focusing mainly on Asian dishes.
Apart from those, they also have Moroccan, Italian, Spanish, and other Mediterranean cuisine to the mix.
The best way to check out their activities is on their Facebook page to see what’s coming up. Choose the one that suits you best – maybe you’re interested in the Beef Seekh Kebabs Workshop, Dumpling Night, Vietnamese Spring Roll Evening, or Chicken Satay Lessons.
Regardless of the choice, you’ll learn valuable cooking skills, and pick up tips and tricks to replicate these tasty dishes at home. The best part is that you get to enjoy the food you’ve prepared at the end of the session.
Each of Chef Vinay’s classes lasts for more than 3 hours and comes at a reasonable price of about $45 per person, which already includes the cost of ingredients.
Social Cooking
Website: https://www.socialcooking.co.nz/
Address: 79a Saint Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 22 586 8633
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Admission Fees: From $109 per person
Looking to spice up your group activities? Give Social Cooking a call to sign up your crew for their team-building event – it’s a unique competitive cooking experience for corporate teams or groups of friends!
Here, teams can bond and learn new ways of working together through a fun and fast-paced shared cooking challenge. The focus is on collaborating on familiar kitchen tasks and using everyday skills to tackle new cooking challenges.
To give you an idea, they have the Mystery Box Challenge, the Recipe Challenge, the Christmas Banquet, and the Winter Banquet.
With each one, you can expect the competitive thrill of a cooking showdown, with the added fun and time pressure of creating a delicious meal following a recipe.
While they don’t stick to a specific cuisine, the recipes are usually beginner-friendly. So, consider their events if you have a team that has zero cooking skills as of yet.
Auckland Seafood School
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Website: https://aucklandseafoodschool.co.nz/
Address: Level 1/22 Jellicoe Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 379 1497
Admission Fees: From $80 to $150 per person
If you’re keen on learning seafood cooking, head over to the Auckland Seafood School. They offer fun, hands-on classes focused on using the freshest seasonal seafood New Zealand has to offer.
Located at the Auckland Fish Market, you’ll have plenty of seafood to work with. Classes range from $80 to $150, but considering you get 2 to 3 hours of learning, the high price is totally a great value for money.
Each class starts with a chef demonstration, followed by hands-on cooking where you can put your newfound skills to the test. And the best part? You get to enjoy your delicious seafood dish with a glass of New Zealand wine at the end!
Kako Chocolate School
Website: https://kakochocolate.co.nz/
Address: 161 Apirana Avenue, Auckland Central, Auckland 1072 New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 521 6063
Are you a chocolate lover? How about learning how to make your own at Kako Chocolate School? In addition to producing the best chocolates, the shop also offers courses to train budding (and wishful) chocolatiers.
When you sign up, you’ll be split into teams for fun tasks like tasting tests and mood experiences with chocolate.
Of course, you’ll get to make your own chocolate, with plenty of sampling along the way. With the help of the Kako staff, you’ll learn the step-by-step process and mold your chocolate into any shape you fancy.
Don’t forget to bring an apron and a container to take your treats home. And if you get hooked, you can grab chocolate supplies on-site to keep the fun going with your fam.
Main Course
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Website: https://maincourse.co.nz/
Address: 20 Beaumont Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 302 1460
Admission Fees: Basic cooking classes start at $120 per person
The Main Course isn’t just the go-to spot for cooking events in Auckland – it’s also a fantastic spot where you can learn some serious cooking skills.
They offer a variety of public classes covering everything from breadmaking and pasta to desserts, and veggie dishes. They also teach various cuisines such as Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese.
But what’s cool is that they have beginner-friendly courses too, so you can start from scratch if you want.
How does each class go? You’ll get hands-on with their chefs, who share their knowledge in a super relaxed, easy-to-communicate way. It’s pretty straightforward – you watch a demo, then jump in and cook up a meal using their awesome facilities.
And of course, you’ll feast on your creations afterwards, chilling around the table with your classmates. Just remember to book through their website to secure your spot. Prices vary depending on the class, but basic ones start at $120 per person.
Cook the Books
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Website: https://www.cookthebooks.co.nz/
Address: 78 Kelmarna Ave cnr, Trinity Street, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 360 6513
Operating hours: Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission Fees: Starts at $60 per person
Not your average bookstore, Cook the Book also hosts a series of culinary workshops aimed at spicing up your cooking routine. Workshops are held in their purpose-built demo kitchen at night and run for 2.5 hours.
Here, you can expect to find a variety of cooking classes focusing on Asian street food, coastal Moroccan cuisine, Mexican dishes, fresh Sri Lankan delicacies, and even cheesemaking at home.
If you prefer smaller groups, you’ll love it here. They ensure the best experience for guests by limiting each workshop to just 16 participants. It’s small, intimate, and you’ll get up close in their demonstration cooking space.
Now, if you’re searching for affordable cooking classes in the city, they have you covered too. Classes here start at $60 and include everything you need for the class, even a copy of all the recipes to take home!
French Private Chef
Website: https://www.arnojullien.com/
Address: 91a Hebron Road, Waiake, Auckland 0630, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 22 492 3206
Want to impress your family, clients, or colleagues with a delicious culinary experience? Then hire a French Private Chef for a private cooking class!
The best thing about them is that their at-home cooking classes can teach you whatever you want. Just tell the chef what dish you’d like to learn, and they’ll guide you through each step, sharing invaluable techniques and tips to boost your cooking skills.
But if you’re particularly interested in diving into the world of French cuisine, they sure do have the knowledge for that (pretty sure their name already gave it away!).
Each class with them includes ingredients, recipes, and chef’s secrets that will leave you inspired. However, since this is an at-home cooking class, you’ll need to provide the equipment yourself.
Enjoyed the whole experience? French Private Chef is also available to hire for private dining – perfect if you want that luxurious dinner feel.
New Zealand School of Food and Wine
Website: https://foodandwine.co.nz/
Address: 3/104 Customs Street West, Viaduct, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 377 7961
Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission Fees: Start at $4,220
If you’re particularly looking for full-time cooking courses that lead you to becoming a professional, then enrolling at the New Zealand School of Food and Wine is the right move.
They offer NZQA-accredited full-time training in cookery, culinary arts, and baking programs from Level 3 Foundation, Level 4 Advanced, all the way up to their Level 5 Diploma.
Classes here provide a truly hands-on experience and take place at the school’s facility. Every student gets to enjoy a complete set of equipment available, up to advanced cooking standards.
Besides acquiring industry-demanded cooking skills, you’ll also learn about food safety in a commercial kitchen. All these will help you prepare for work in a café, restaurant, or international hotel.
For full details on how to enroll, head over to their website and check out all the requirements, especially the course fees. And since you’re aiming to enroll in a full-time cooking course, expect to pay a hefty amount for just one course!
The Loft Yoga Lounge
Website: https://theloft.org.nz/events/vegan-cooking-class/
Address: 103 Beach Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 210 685 433
Operating hours: Monday – Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Sunday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
At The Loft Yoga Lounge, you can join cooking classes alongside other cool events like yoga sessions, live music, lifestyle talks, guided meditation, and more.
Vegans will especially love it here because they offer vegan cooking classes, which they proudly call Auckland’s most popular ones for beginners and intermediate cooks.
In these hour-and-a-half sessions, the chefs will show you a detailed explanation of the recipes and techniques used. You’ll get to dive into new recipes and classic Loft dishes, while exploring different flavors and cooking styles from around the world.
Simply put, you’ll be signing up for a cooking demo with some interactive fun, ending with a delicious vegan feast. Since these classes happen occasionally, make sure to book your spot through their website to avoid missing out.
