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.
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."
Join us for another amazing cooking class with Sonoma Spice Queen, learning all about how to create a spice-forward summer spread for your outdoor, hot-weather gatherings and celebrations.
Sonoma Spice Queen was started by spice enthusiast and culinary adventurer Wind McAlister, who also happens to be a huge Sonoma Family Meal supporter (and our neighbor). Through her love of cooking and cultural exploration, Wind offers hand-crafted organic spice mixes and rubs, with no fillers, salt, or sugar, and is excited to be back to teach a second class in benefit of Sonoma Family Meal.
This hands-on, collaborative cooking 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, our classes 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 August 27th, 2026, 5-7:30pm
WHERE: SFM community kitchen, 1370A Redwood Way, Petaluma
The Menu:
Curry Chicken Salad
Asian Tofu Lettuce Cups with Chinese Five Spice and a coconut
peanut sauce (vegan)
Strawberries & Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream served with a cookie
Lavender Lemonade
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.