Sharpen your skills with these cooking classes in Marin

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, expand your repertoire, create a gift or find inspiration, the coming months bring a tempting lineup of options throughout Marin. The Cavallo Point Cooking School in Sausalito offers a diverse range of hands-on and demonstration-based classes through April in its 1,200-square-foot teaching kitchen. Prepare for Valentine’s Day on Feb.

11 with San Francisco chocolatier Michael Recchiuti, who will guide participants through molding chocolate hearts and dipping champagne truffles. A light dinner is included, along with gift bags and ribbons for packaging the handmade creations. On Feb.



14 and 15, embark on a culinary trip to Paris and recreate the flavors of the city’s iconic cafés and bistros. Traditional Vietnamese food is featured on Saturday and March 16; Greek-inspired dishes are on the menu on Sunday and March 2; Spanish paella arrives on Feb. 22.

Experience Korean cuisine at Seoul Food Sunday on Feb. 23 and April 6, or try your hand at making dumplings on March 1 and dim sum on March 9 and April 13. Step into the warmth of a Burmese kitchen on March 15 or explore Japanese izakaya fare on March 21, 22 and April 19.

Cook French countryside fare on March 23 and April 27, or Italian regional specialties from Sicily on April 5 and Rome on April 20. Classes are from 5 to 8 p.m.

or 6 to 9 p.m. at Cavallo Point at 601 Murray Circle in Sausalito.

Prices range from $175 to $275 and include two complimentary drinks (wine, sparkling wine, craft beer or nonalcoholic beverages). For a full schedule, menus and reservations, visit cavallopoint.com or call 855-730-6984.

Chef events Michelin-starred chef Seth Stowaway of San Francisco’s live-fire restaurant Osito headlines the next Fresh Starts Chef Event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb.

20 in Novato. His seasonal menu highlights foraged ingredients, and he is joined by wild food purveyor Bryan Jessop of Morchella Wild Foods, who will share his expertise on mushroom hunting and wild edible plants in the North Bay. From 6:30 to 9 p.

m. April 17, chef, instructor and author Anna Voloshyna explores the stories, culture and cuisine of Ukraine, blending classic recipes with a modern approach. Her award-winning cookbook, “Budmo! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen,” will be available for purchase.

Fresh Starts Chef Events hosts a rotating lineup of guest chefs for cooking demonstrations and storytelling, followed by a meal prepared in the showcase kitchen, at the Key Room at 1385 North Hamilton Parkway in Novato. Each event includes dinner and two glasses of wine and supports training, shelter and housing programs at Homeward Bound of Marin ($100). Book by Feb.

19 at bit.ly/FS-chefevents . Floral cupcakes Master cupcake baker Sarah Thongnopneua of San Rafael-based Baked Blooms leads beginner-friendly workshops on making intricately piped spring floral cupcakes from 7 to 8:30 p.

m. Feb. 25, March 11 and April 7 and 22 ($100).

Practice piping daffodils, peonies, tulips and roses and take home four decorated cupcakes. All supplies are provided, with an option to purchase a piping tip kit after the class. Workshops are at 2100 Fourth St.

, suite A, in San Rafael, where you can purchase a limited selection of cupcakes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.

m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.

m. to noon Sundays. Pre-order cupcakes or bouCAKES, register for classes or arrange for a private cupcake decorating session for eight to 12 guests at bakedblooms.

com . For information on birthday parties hosted at Baked Blooms and managed by 38north Design Co., visit 38northdesignco.

com/baked-blooms-birthdays . Fun with baking Madrona Bakery in Mill Valley has a few spaces left in two of its upcoming workshops. Learn the fundamentals of baking sourdough, from feeding a starter to proofing a loaf, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.

m. March 1 ($130). Participants take home a starter, proofing basket and oven-ready dough.

From 4 to 5:30 p.m. March 22, master the art of making fluffy biscuits and tender scones and leave with six of each ($100).

Workshops are at the bakery at 17 Madrona St. in Mill Valley. Look for future classes or order baked goods at madronabakery.

com . Family fun Slide Ranch in Muir Beach holds a variety of adult and family programs through spring. Discover the basics of making kimchi, sauerkraut and pickled red onions at a fermentation workshop from 10 a.

m. to noon Feb. 22 at the Farm-To-Table Teaching Center ($75).

Family Farm Days kick off on Saturday with a Valentine’s Day gathering featuring baking cookies, wool crafts and candle making. Other themes include farm to belly on March 15 (farm-to-table cooking and harvesting), tide pool adventures on March 22, Slide in bloom on April 5 and a Mother’s Day celebration on May 10 ($40). Add overnight camping for $60 per person (free for children under 24 months).

Slide Ranch is at 2025 Shoreline Highway in Muir Beach. Find details and register at slideranch.org .

Sweet treat Gourmet chocolate instructor Pooneh Yamini of Mon Rêve Chocolate Art Studio in the Mill Valley Lumber Yard will host a fundraiser from 11 a.m. to noon Feb.

15 to help those impacted by the Los Angeles fires. You’ll recreate the TikTok-famous “Dubai chocolate bar,” a chocolate-enrobed treat with toasted kataifi pastry and pistachio cream. The class covers techniques such as tempering dark chocolate and casting, filling and sealing a chocolate mold ($100).

All proceeds go to Baby2Baby to provide essential supplies to families in need. The class is at Mon Rêve Studio at 129 Miller Ave., second floor, in Mill Valley.

Register at monrevechoc.com or call 415-569-0057. Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist.

Email her at [email protected] with comments and find more local food news at therealdealmarin.

com ..