Cooking Classes in Sonoma County
Residents in Sonoma County can enjoy hands-on, chef-led cooking classes in Petaluma that focus on practical culinary skills, global cuisines, and meaningful community impact.
Whether you’re looking for a lively night out, a unique way to celebrate, or a chance to sharpen your kitchen skills, our classes are designed to be welcoming and approachable for everyone. No fancy chef skills required, just bring your curiosity (and your appetite).
And here’s the best part: Every class you join helps fuel our mission to support local families with nutritious meals and provide job training for people facing barriers to employment. So while you’re learning to dice, sauté, or whip up something delicious, you’re also making a real difference right here in Sonoma County.
Upcoming Cooking Class Schedule
Please check back frequently, as classes are typically posted 1–2 months in advance. In the meantime, we invite you to sign up for our email newsletter, The Deep Dish, to be notified as soon as new classes are released.
Sonoma Family Meal and Chef Camille Western invite you to experience the depth, soul, and deliciousness of Puerto Rican cuisine through a hands-on, collaborative 2.5 hour cooking class inspired by her Puerto Rica roots. Puerto Rican food is a beautiful expression of cultural fusion, shaped by Spanish, African, and native Taíno influences that come together in bold flavors, comforting dishes, and a rich culinary tradition. From savory sofrito and plantains to slow-cooked classics and vibrant seasonings, each dish tells a story of heritage, resilience, and celebration. You will enjoy a family meal together at the end.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this class will offer a fun, engaging learning environment, while raising funds for Sonoma Family Meal’s free culinary job training and food-security programs. If you haven’t been to the SFM Kitchen yet, this class is also the perfect chance to visit and experience where the magic takes place and how the work gets done.
WHEN: Thursday May 14th, 5-7:30pm
WHERE: SFM community kitchen, 1370A Redwood Way, Petaluma
***PLEASE WEAR CLOSE TOED SHOES TO ALL CLASSES***
THE MENU:
Avocado Salad - Fresh avocado with Spanish olive oil, red onions and a touch of salt
Fried Plantains - Crisp, golden plantains served warm
Arroz Mamposteao - Savory rice and beans infused with sofrito and garlic
Camarones al Ajillo - Shrimp sautéed in garlic, peppers, olive oil, and spices
Tres leches - Silky sweet cake with a creamy, delicate sweetness
If you have a specific food allergy or have any questions about the menu, please contact hannah@sonomafamilymeal.org.
ABOUT THE CHEF:
Private Chef Camille creates wellness-inspired dining experiences that bring people together through vibrant, nourishing food. Her menus are inspired by California, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Asian, and Cuban-Puerto Rican flavors, with vegan and Whole30 options thoughtfully tailored to each gathering. Based in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, she offers private chef dinners and cooking experiences for groups of 2–50 guests. For a more interactive celebration, guests can step into the kitchen and learn how to prepare part of the meal alongside her.
Camille’s broader work is dedicated to helping people feel good in their bodies through massage therapy, nourishing food, and holistic lifestyle coaching. She approaches wellness from an Ayurvedic perspective that honors the connection between body, mind, and energy. Camille’s path into the healing arts began through her own health challenges in her late twenties. Struggling to find balance, her doctor encouraged her to make changes to her diet and lifestyle. That experience became a turning point that awakened her deep interest in the healing power of nutrition, self-care, and holistic living.
For over 30 years now, she has studied and practiced the healing arts, with certifications in Holistic Nutrition Consulting, Massage Therapy, Traditional Thai Massage, and Thai Herbalism, along with ongoing study of yoga and Ayurvedic traditions. Today, she supports clients through massage therapy, lifestyle coaching, and practical tools such as meditation, herbs, aromatherapy, and mindful nutrition—helping them restore balance and cultivate lasting wellbeing.
Learn more at SoulSpiceWellness.com.
We’re finally bringing pizza to the Sonoma Family Meal kitchen! Join us and chef Bryan Jones for a cooking class on Thursday, April 16th to learn how to perfect the art of scratch pizza dough, marinara, and mouthwatering toppings to satisfy all your senses.
The hands-on, collaborative class will last 2.5 hours, with time to enjoy your meal together at the end. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this class will offer a fun, engaging learning environment, while raising funds for Sonoma Family Meal’s free culinary job training and food-security programs.
If you haven’t been to the SFM Kitchen yet, this class is also the perfect chance to visit and experience where the magic takes place and how the work gets done.
WHEN: Thursday June 11, 5-7:30pm
WHERE: SFM community kitchen, 1370A Redwood Way, Petaluma
THE MENU:
Scratch Pizza Dough
Scratch Marinara Sauce
Margherita Pizza
Hot Honey & Pepperoni Pizza
Big Seasonal Salad will be served
BYOB: Bring Your Own Beverage
If you have a specific food allergy or have any questions about the menu, please contact hannah@sonomafamilymeal.org.
***PLEASE WEAR CLOSE TOED SHOES TO ALL CLASSES***
ABOUT THE CHEF:
Bryan Jones takes the art of restaurant quality cuisine outside of the traditional restaurant kitchen and into evocative local spaces and intimate environments. Offering boutique catering and private chef services, Bryan offers a culinary experience that’s creative, custom and designed from scratch for each menu and every singular occasion.
As a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Bryan brings over 20 years of experience in the kitchen to his craft. His approach to food reflects a diverse restaurants background, showcasing bold, clean flavors and influences from a variety of cultures.
As the Executive Chef at St. Francis Winery, Bryan was the creative force behind the highly rated food and wine pairing program at the winery, where it was Zagat recommended and voted #1 restaurant by OpenTable diners in 2013 and 2015. He joined St. Francis winery in 2014 after ten years as Chef and General Manager of the fig cafe and wine bar, the sister restaurant of the girl and the fig. He has cooked in locations around the world, including Garmisch, Germany, Vail, Colorado, Santa Fe, New Mexico and many other locations throughout the Bay Area.
Bryan uses this culinary history—and a natural curiosity for how experiences translate onto the palette—to create one-of-a-kind experiences in unique locations and private homes across Wine Country, and beyond.
Join Sonoma Family Meal's very own Chef Kanyaa and recent culinary training graduate Tina for a unique Thai cooking class featuring favorites from their homeland. Kanyaa brings her culinary experience and heritage from the Northeastern Thai region of Isaan, which is specifically known for it's delectable cuisine and Tina, also a Thai-born cook, brings her passion for food systems and her newfound skills and confidence from the CJT program to share with you all.
In this hands-on two hour class, you will learn the breakdown of how to make several traditional Thai specialties and receive the recipes and cooking instructions to take home. You will work in teams to prepare all the food under Chef's guidance, and then enjoy the meal together family style at the end!
WHEN: Thursday July 16, 5-7:30pm
WHERE: SFM community kitchen, 1370A Redwood Way, Petaluma
***PLEASE WEAR CLOSE TOED SHOES TO ALL CLASSES***
THE MENU:
Vegetable Fresh Spring Rolls
Chicken Khao Soi (Northern Thai Curry Noodle Soup)
Vegetable Pad Thai with Tofu
Mango Ube Sticky Rice
If you have a specific food allergy or have any questions about the menu, please contact hannah@sonomafamilymeal.org.
Hear it from our customers:
"Kudos to Chef Kanyaa! We loved the Thai Chicken Curry last night. Cooked perfectly, it was delicious! The egg rolls and dipping sauce so yummy, I could eat those every night."
- Karyl
About Tina:
Yaowalak “Tina” is a Thai-born cook and former nonprofit professional who studied food systems and worked in environmental and community-focused organizations in Thailand. Now, drawing on her family’s market cooking roots and her passion for food, is building the skills and confidence through Sonoma Family Meal’s culinary training program to launch her own business in private cheffing and cooking education.
About Kanyaa:
Originally from the Isan region of Thailand, Kanyaa is a passionate cook with experience in pastry and much more. She lives in Rohnert Park with her teen son, and in her free time, enjoys preparing the dishes of her homeland, like chicken over rice and noodle soup. As the kitchen assistant, Kanyaa assists with the kitchen’s day-to-day operations, her favorite part of the role is "cooking for the community."
Monthly Community Cooking Classes
Feed your hunger, fund our mission.
Every month, we open the doors of our community kitchen in Petaluma for unique group cooking classes. These classes are perfect for anyone eager to roll up their sleeves, discover new recipes (often from locally-renowned chefs and restaurants), and connect with others around a shared table.
Hands-on cooking with guidance from experienced chefs, including guest chefs from your favorite local eateries, and SFM CJT alum on occasion
A variety of cuisines to explore, from international dishes to seasonal, locally inspired menus
Shared meals where you can sit down and enjoy the food you’ve created together
Mission-driven learning that supports food security and job training in Sonoma County
Private Cooking Classes with Purpose
Looking for a unique way to celebrate, connect, or collaborate? Our private cooking classes are tailor-made for groups who want to share a memorable culinary experience while making a meaningful impact.
Hosted in our spacious Petaluma community kitchen
Weeknight evening availability
Accommodates up to 16 people comfortably
Led by professional chefs from Sonoma Family Meal
Price starts at $2,000 for 2.5 hours of guided cooking, eating, and connecting
You can choose one of our signature menus or request a cuisine tailored to your group’s preferences. Along the way, you’ll chop, sauté, laugh, and learn, and then enjoy the feast you’ve created together.
Perfect For
Corporate team-building or bonding
Staff appreciation events or parties
Birthday or holiday celebrations
Social clubs, service groups, or friends’ night out
So gather your team, your friends, or your family, and let’s cook up something unforgettable, because every meal shared in our kitchen helps strengthen our community beyond it.
“Sonoma Family Meal cooking classes are fun, educational, and manageable for the home cook! This is a hidden treasure that benefits our town and Sonoma County! There is a wonderful variety to choose from and a great introduction to international cuisine.”
Treat someone special to an unforgettable experience in Sonoma Family Meal’s Petaluma Kitchen - an SFM cooking class gift card is the perfect present for anyone who loves food, fun, and connection. Our collaborative, hands-on 2.5 hr classes are a chance to learn from local professional chefs, explore new flavors, and share a meal around the table, all while supporting our food security and culinary job training programs.
Giftcard delivered to recipient virtually via email. Valid for one person in any upcoming class, subject to availability. Never expires.
The Perfect Gift for Food Lovers!
A Sonoma County cooking class gift card provides a hands-on culinary experience in Petaluma while supporting local food security programs.
Treat someone special to an unforgettable experience in the Sonoma Family Meal Kitchen - an SFM cooking class gift certificate is the perfect present for anyone who loves food, fun, and connection. Our collaborative, hands-on classes are a chance to learn from local professional chefs, explore new flavors, and share a meal around the table, all while supporting our food security and culinary job training programs.
Why Choose Sonoma Family Meal’s Cooking Classes?
Our cooking classes Sonoma County residents trust combine professional instruction, nonprofit impact, and community connection in one experience.
Support a nonprofit social enterprise: Our classes help fund our Culinary Job Training Program, the only tuition-free bilingual culinary training program in Sonoma County.
Provide meals for neighbors in need: Each class contributes to our work preparing thousands of chef-made meals for food-insecure families.
Strengthen the local food system: By working with rescued ingredients and local farmers, we reduce waste and create sustainable community impact.
When you choose Sonoma Family Meal, you’re not just signing up for a class, you’re supporting a cause that brings good food, good people, and real change to the table.
FAQs About Cooking Classes in Sonoma County
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Sonoma Family Meal offers a variety of cooking classes, including hands-on lessons, foundational skills workshops, and globally-inspired cuisine. Past cuisines and classes have included Mexican, Thai, Italian, Seafood, Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean, Haitian, Jordanian, Spanish, Chinese, Healthy Cooking, Fermenting & Pickling, Fried Chicken, Cookie-Baking, Tamale-making, Cooking with Spices, and so much more!
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Yes! Our cooking classes in Sonoma County are purposeful experiences. Participants learn culinary skills while supporting Sonoma Family Meal’s mission to provide meals for food-insecure families and offer tuition-free culinary job training.
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Absolutely. Our classes welcome all skill levels, from first-time home cooks to experienced food lovers. We pride ourselves on creating a warm, supportive environment where everyone can grow their confidence in the kitchen.
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Yes, we offer cooking classes Petaluma groups can reserve for corporate events, birthdays, staff appreciation, and social gatherings in our community kitchen.
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We host Santa Rosa cooking classes attendees in our Petaluma kitchen, serving guests from across Sonoma County and neighboring communities.
When you join our cooking classes Sonoma County community members recommend, you’re doing more than learning new recipes. You’re strengthening local food systems, supporting families in need, and building real culinary confidence in a welcoming Petaluma kitchen. Reserve your Sonoma County cooking class today and experience food with purpose.