MenuIn-Person Classes
Class size: 8 students
Instructor: Helen Rennie
Location: Helen’s Kitchen at 3 Ingleside Rd, Natick, MA
Cancellation Policy and other FAQ
Grilling Meat and Poultry
If crispy, juicy meat turns you on, why not learn the techniques that achieve perfection every time you fire up the grill? Successful meat grilling is not about big flames and big tools; it's about chemistry and thermodynamics. In this class, we'll learn what cuts of meat and poultry to choose for the grill, when to use high heat and when to go low and slow, how to test for doneness, and why marinades work or fail. Dishes might include a grilled rib-eye steak with chimichurri sauce, grilled lamb chops with mint butter, pork chops with mustard vinaigrette, and chicken thighs with pomegranate syrup. Note: the dishes vary based on the season and availability of ingredients. This class is Paleo friendly. Rainy day policy.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, May 2, 2026 10:30am-1:30pm Register
1 spot left. For 2+ spots, please get on the Waiting list
Grilling Fish
What can be more delightful on a warm summer day than our local striper or bluefish right off the grill! Unless, of course, half of the fish got stuck and the other half fell through the grill grate. Cooking over an open flame might be the oldest method known to man, but it does require a lot of finesse to master. What fish types are appropriate for grilling? When should you turn the heat up and when down? How do you avoid sticking? When is the fish done? This class will answer all your fish grilling questions. We will use a gas grill, but the same techniques apply if you are grilling on charcoal. Dishes might include bluefish with cilantro lime butter, whole branzino with lemon and herbs, and swordfish with cucumber yogurt sauce. Note: the dishes vary based on the season and availability of ingredients. This class is Paleo friendly. Rainy day policy.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, May 9, 2026 10:30am-1:30pm Register
Ravishingly Raw (Poke Bowls, Crudo, Ceviche)
Who doesn't love pristine fish served raw? Most people don't think twice about ordering raw fish in a restaurant, but don't know where to begin when it comes to serving it at home. Where do you buy it? How do you store it? What species are safe to eat raw? How do you slice it? What do you pair it with? How do you deal with the risks of food-borne illness? This class will answer all these questions and give you plenty of hands-on practice slicing fish for crudo, poke bowls, and ceviche dishes. Come hungry for salmon miso poke bowl, spicy tuna tartar, branzino ceviche, and hamachi crudo. Note: the dishes vary based on the season and availability of ingredients. This class is Paleo friendly.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, May 9, 2026 6pm-9pm Register
Knife Skills
Do you get excited about a trip to the farmer's market, but dread chopping all those veggies and herbs? If the onions make you break into tears and you can't remember the last time you sharpened your knife, come to this hands-on class and learn to slice, dice, and mince in a casual and supportive environment. We'll go over which knives are used for which cuts, how to buy a good knife in any price range, as well as sharpening and caring for your knives. You are welcome to bring an 8" chef's knife, but that's optional. We have knives for everyone. We don't recommend buying anything before class since you'll have a chance to try out different knives to help you decide which one works for you. We'll make a lunch out of our chopping practice and serve it in the end of class. This class is vegetarian.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, Apr 4, 2026 10:30am-1:30pm Waiting List
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Do you like to eat fish in restaurants, but are scared to cook it at home? Or, are you bored of baking salmon with a squirt of lemon, but not sure how to expand your repertoire? Come to this class and explore the bounty of the sea available to us in New England. You'll learn to find a good fish market in your area, buy the freshest fish, learn all about fish personalities and substitutions, and test fish for doneness. We'll make salmon teriyaki, trout in almonds, cod stew, and swordfish Provençal. Note: the dishes vary based on the season and availability of ingredients. This class is Paleo friendly.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, Apr 4, 2026 6pm-9pm Waiting List
Khachapuri (Georgian Flatbreads)
Move over pizza! There is a new kid in town, called khachapuri. To be fair, there is nothing new about khachapuri. People have been making incredible flatbreads in the Caucasus for hundreds of years and it's about time we took notice. If you are new to bread baking, this is a great place to start. You'll learn how to work with yeast, judge gluten development, control the thickness of the dough and the heat of your oven. Fillings will include cheese (for khachapuri), and potatoes, leeks, Swiss Chard (for Ossetian pies), but will vary with the season and availability of ingredients. This class is vegetarian. This class is vegetarian.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, Apr 11, 2026 10:30am-1:30pm Waiting List
Pan Sauces
Don't let your brown bits go to waste! Every time you sear meat or poultry, your pan gives you a gift that can be turned into a sauce with a splash of stock and wine. This class covers how to make the kind of stock that restaurants make and how to reduce it into a demi-glace that you can always keep on hand in your freezer. This magic ingredient means that you are never more than 5 minutes away from a great pan sauce and its infinite variations. Dishes might include a skirt steak with red wine reduction, pork chops with madeira mustard sauce, roast chicken with porcini cream sauce, and chicken thighs with lemon and herb sauce. Note: Dishes vary based on availability of ingredients.
One 3h session / $120 per person
Sat, Apr 11, 2026 6pm-9pm Waiting List
Sat, May 2, 2026 6pm-9pm Waiting List
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can kids attend?
- Kids with a passion for cooking are allowed if they are at least 12 years old. However, a parent must be present at the beginning of class to sign a waiver.
- Will we eat in class?
- Yes, we eat what we make in class.
- What materials should we bring to class?
- Wear comfortable shoes. We’ll provide everything else.
- What happens if I have to cancel?
- Please see our cancellation policy for details.
- How do I get a spot? Whenever I check the website, the class I want has a waiting list.
- Read our tips on getting spots.
- The class I want to take is full. Will you offer it again?
- Yes. Most of these classes are offered on monthly basis and are announced 2 months in advance.
- Can you send me e-mail when you announce more classes?
- Yes. Just send us an e-mail to get on our mailing list.
- Do we just watch or do we get to cook too?
- All classes are hands-on, so everyone gets to participate.
- Are gift certificates available?
- We sell a limited number of gift certificates each year. Please check the gift certificate page.
