The District boasts a burgeoning and increasingly venerated restaurant scene, but an overlooked way to take advantage of all that culinary talent is to have local chefs teach you how to become a great cook, too. Whether you’re someone who can burn water or precisely sear a savory slab of tuna, D.C. has likely got the perfect cooking class for your vibe and skill level. Taking a cooking class is a great way to learn more about a different culture or your own, or can serve as an interesting and romantic date night out (or as a way to keep your munchkins gainfully occupied.) There are a variety of options in the region, from professional cooking schools featuring celebrity chefs to one-off classes aimed at people who don’t know a salad spinner from a spaghetti-maker. Here are some of our picks for the best culinary classes around Washington right now.

(Photo by LaTur)

Cooking With Maura
The Italian Cultural Society of Washington, D.C. puts on a regular cooking series with Chef Maura, who instructs in Italian (and English when necessary). Guests are encouraged to sip wine as they learn the fundamentals of fresh, sophisticated Italian cooking. Kids can attend too! Maura has sessions on Mondays from from 12:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., and teaches on Thursday and Saturday upon request. While you’re at it, check out the other offerings the Italian Cultural Society has to offer.

Price: $75 for drop-ins, $210 for a 3-class session
Where: Private home in Bethesda, MD. Call 301-215-7885 for address.
Good for: Folks who want to practice their Italian

Cooking With Mike Isabella’s chefs
Each month, chefs from Mike Isabella’s restaurants take over the kitchen at G to demonstrate how to concoct their favorite cuisines and styles. You’ll get samplings of the dishes paired with the perfect wines. It’s a great way to learn to cook like a pro, with as much or as little involvement as you’d like. Classes are not always announced far in advance, so check back at their website frequently.

Price: $95 per class
Where: G by Mike Isabella in Shaw (2201 14th St. NW)
Good for: A classy, thoughtful date night

Crostini at G. (Photo by LaTur)

Farm to Table with Chef Kisha
If you don’t feel like you’re taking full advantage of your farmer’s market or the weird veggies in your CSA, let Chef Kisha guide you into making local ingredients sing. She’ll teach out how to pick out top quality produce and pair them together to create truly impressive dishes. Guests are welcome to bring wine and beer to enjoy during the class.

Price: $75
Where: Chef Kisha comes to your house
Good for: Those trying to eat local, whether to support their neighbors or Mother Earth

Lebanese Taverna classes
A few times a month, Lebanese Taverna offers lessons in preparing various seasonal dishes, from beet salad to shrimp kebab. Guests are greeted with appetizers upon arrival and are plied with wine throughout the class, which ends in a scrumptious meal. They’re on a hiatus until September, but be sure to check out their classes when they resume. Private classes are also available.

Price: $70
Where: Lebanese Taverna Market (4400 Old Dominion Dr., Arlington)
Good for: Wine lovers (who also want to learn to cook Lebanese food)

Macaron Workshop
We couldn’t neglect L’Acadamie de Cuisine, a venerated school for chefs and bakers, on this list. Besides professional instruction, they also offer classes for amateurs who simply wish to cook like chefs. In this workshop, Chef Neil Wilson teaches the Parisian art of creating buttercream-filled macarons, and will answer questions via email after the class to help you succeed at making them at home. This class is on October 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Be sure to check out the other courses at l’Acadamie, such as healthy baking, croissant workshop, bourbon and beef, and cooking for couples. They also offer various classes designed for teens during the summer. Classes are at all different times and dates, so check their website for more information.

Price: $145
Where: L’Adadamie de Cuisine (5021 Wilson Ln., Bethesda
Great for: Those with a sweet tooth (or an appreciation for fine dining)

Colorful macarons. (Photo by Jessica)

Meatless Makeovers With Mimi Clark
Mimi Clark has a wide variety of interesting vegan courses, but this one is especially useful. Guests learn to transform favorite family dishes into vegan meals, and past classes have included crab cakes with Chipotle mayo, sweet and sour meatballs, General Tso’s chicken, beef stroganoff, and pepper steak. Participants are encouraged to bring a favorite family recipe to “veganize” in class Upcoming classes are on October 23 and 30.

Price: $55 per person or $100 for two people
Where: Fairfax, VA, call 703-643-2713 for address
Great for: People who are transitioning to veganism

Mexican Table, Hosted By Chef Pati Jinich
Every year, the Mexican Cultural Institute hosts about four cooking sessions that explore the varied culinary traditions of different regions around Mexico. The evening begins with a lively cooking demonstration with Chef Pati Jinich, followed by dinner served with wine, beer, and cocktails. Each class comes with home recipes and ingredients to get started replicating the dishes at home. October’s class, the The Magic of Oaxaca, is sold out, but there are still openings for Rediscovering Baja on December 7 at 6:45 p.m.

Price: $105 per class
Where: Mexican Cultural Institute (2829 16th St. NW)
Good for: Mexican food aficionados, who want to expand their skills beyond tacos and fajitas

Ceviche at the Mexican Cultural Institute. (Photo by Mr.TinDC)

Monthly $5 Community Classes At The YMCA
For those on a budget, the YMCA offers classes exploring all kinds of cuisine and food preparation for all skill levels and ages, tots to seniors, including this $5 monthly class sponsored by the American Heart Association. Some other classes include Georgian Table, where guests learn to cook traditional dishes from a country that once hosted Silk Route traders and whose cuisine straddles Europe and Asia, and a taste of African heritage, a six-part series bringing the African Heritage Diet Pyramid to life. Check their website for details on dates and times, as they vary.

Price: $5
Where: Culinary studio of YMCA Anthony Bowen, (1112 16th St NW)
Great for: Anyone who wants to learn to cook (and is on a budget)

Northern Thai Cuisine With Pimnuch Panma
Learn the savory secrets of the cuisine hailing from the Northern mountain side of Thailand. Chef Pimnuch Panma will teach you how to bring the tastes of Chiang Mai, the regional capitol, to your kitchen at home. The next one is on September 3 from noon to 3 p.m. Also highly recommended is chef Nongkran Daks’ classes at her restaurant, Thai Basil, in Chantilly, Virginia.

Price: $85 per person
Where: CulinAerie (1131 14th Street NW)
Good for: Thai food enthusiasts

Sophisticated Surf And Turf With Chef Chericia
The warm, multitalented Chef Chericia is a D.C. native, and her cooking influences range from her mother’s southern cooking to international cuisine of all kinds. While you can’t go wrong with any of her classes (some of which are kid- and date-friendly), this sophisticated surf and turf is a great choice for a corporate activity or team-building exercise. Her menu includes herb-crusted filet mignon, lobster risotto, asparagus with charred lemon, and a raspberry souffle. The next class is August 16 at noon. Guests are welcome to bring alcohol.

Price: $135 per person
Where: Chef’s place or yours, headquarters are at (1300 I Street NW)
Good for: Team-building

Teen Skills For Life At Calbra Classics
Just a hop and a skip outside of the District limits, Calbra Classics offers Nigerian and other West African cuisine and catering. They’ve also started providing cooking lessons aimed at couples, families, and teens. Not only do young people get to discover how to make healthy West African recipes, but they also learn fundamental cooking skills that will serve them in the kitchen for years to come. Classes are on Saturdays at noon until 3 p.m. or 3:30 pm.

Price: $40
Where: (7528 South Arbory Lane, Laurel, MD)
Great for: Teens of course, but also any lover of savory West African sauces