Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser

Chef AlexG brings an unusual résumé to this small St. Augustine cooking class. He has produced the Emmy-winning television series Martha Stewart Living and won a James Beard Award for work on Lidia Bastianich’s PBS program, Lidia’s Italy. You’ll cook beside a French chef, then sit down to eat what you have prepared.

I like the custom menu, which can reflect your favorite foods and avoid unwanted ingredients as much as possible. I also like the chance to try wine from the chef’s own cellar while learning practical French techniques. The main caution is the upgrade policy: one participant was charged an extra $146 after arriving for a prepaid basic class, so confirm exactly what your booking includes before you go.

Key points to know

• Chef AlexG’s television background: He has worked on Martha Stewart Living and Lidia’s Italy.
• A hands-on French meal: You prepare a healthy dinner using local, seasonal ingredients.
• A small setting: The class has a maximum of 12 people and ends where it begins at 60 Julia St.
• Wine is part of the experience: A glass from the chef’s cellar is served with the recipe tasting.
• Upgrades matter: Holiday bookings require an upgrade, and upgraded menus may add courses, drinks, and time.
• Allow extra time: The advertised length is about 2 hours 30 minutes, though one upgraded class lasted 3.5 hours.

Cooking with Chef AlexG in a private St. Augustine setting

This is not a large kitchen studio with rows of strangers copying a demonstration. You meet at 60 Julia St. in St. Augustine and take part in a small class led by Chef AlexG, also identified as Chef AlexG in the booking details.

The maximum group size is 12 people. That gives the class a more personal feel than a standard group cooking event, though the exact amount of individual instruction will depend on the size of your group and the menu chosen.

The format combines a cooking lesson and dinner. You are not simply watching a chef prepare a plate. You help make the meal, learn classic French methods, and then taste the results. For a couple, family, or small group of friends, that shared work can be the main attraction.

The setting is also part of the appeal. You finish at the same meeting point, with no transportation between several restaurants or activities. That keeps the evening simple, although you should plan your own way to and from 60 Julia St.

What Chef AlexG’s background adds

Chef AlexG’s professional television work gives this experience more substance than a generic home cooking lesson. His credits include production work on Martha Stewart Living and an award-winning role connected with Lidia’s Italy.

That background does not guarantee that every class will match a television production, and you should not expect a polished studio show. What it does suggest is a chef used to explaining food clearly and working with established culinary standards.

The focus is on classic French cooking techniques. The available information does not name the exact recipes used in the basic class, so the menu may change according to the season, the chef’s plan, and your preferences.

That flexibility is useful. You can tell the chef about foods you enjoy and ingredients you want to avoid. Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated, but you should provide those details before the class and confirm that the proposed menu works for you.

A local, seasonal meal instead of a fixed menu

The meal is built around local, seasonal ingredients. This matters because the cooking lesson is not just a list of steps pulled from a standard menu. The ingredients can shape the techniques you learn and the final meal you eat.

You can expect a healthy meal rather than a heavy restaurant-style feast. The description specifically frames the food as a delicious, healthy meal, with the chef adapting the menu to your favorites when possible.

That said, the phrase custom-designed menu needs a little care. It does not mean every ingredient can always be replaced. The chef agrees to accommodate preferences and avoid unwanted ingredients as much as possible, so serious allergies and strict dietary needs should be discussed clearly before booking.

The recipe tasting comes after the cooking work. You will have a glass of wine from the chef’s cellar to enjoy with the food. A cocktail and wine are included in the overall experience description, but the exact drink service may depend on the class level you book.

How the 2.5-hour schedule works

The standard duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes. That is long enough for a hands-on meal without taking up an entire day in St. Augustine.

The timing likely includes instruction, preparation, cooking, and eating, but the exact order and pace can change with the menu. A simple basic class may finish close to the advertised time. A more elaborate class can take longer.

This difference is important. One upgraded class included a champagne cocktail, beet risotto, and crème brûlée, and lasted about 3.5 hours. If you have evening plans, do not schedule them too tightly after the class.

The longer format may be a benefit if you enjoy food and conversation. It gives the chef more time to explain techniques and gives you more courses to eat. It can also feel inconvenient if you booked the experience as a short activity between other plans.

My practical advice is simple: treat 2.5 hours as an estimate, not a hard finish time. If your class is upgraded, ask how many courses are included and how long the full meal usually takes.

Basic class or upgraded experience

The basic class is the starting point, but upgraded classes are part of the business model. Holiday periods do not offer the basic class. During those dates, you must choose an upgrade, with pricing confirmed directly with the provider.

The difference between class levels should be clear before you pay. An upgrade may include additional courses, a special drink, dessert, or a longer session. The upgraded class described above included champagne, an extra entrée of beet risotto, and crème brûlée.

Those additions can improve the meal if you want a fuller dinner and more time with the chef. They also change the value calculation. You are no longer comparing a short cooking lesson with an ordinary restaurant meal. You are comparing a private chef experience, several prepared courses, wine or cocktails, and instruction.

The trouble comes when the upgrade is not understood in advance. One pair paid $210 for a prepaid multi-course class and then faced an additional $146 before leaving. Chef AlexG explained that the class they took was an upgrade 2 session, and the provider’s response noted that the menu shown before the class listed that level and its price.

Both points lead to the same useful advice: get the class level and total price in writing before arrival. Ask whether the listed amount includes the basic class only, whether the menu is an upgrade, whether drinks add cost, and whether gratuity is included.

Is the price good value?

No current public price is provided for the standard experience, so I cannot give you a reliable price comparison. One past booking involved $210 paid in advance and a later $146 upgrade charge, but that should not be treated as today’s price.

The value depends on what you want. If you only want an inexpensive meal, this is probably the wrong choice. You are paying for food, instruction, a private chef setting, menu customization, and a small group rather than just a plate at a restaurant.

If you enjoy cooking, the value improves. You get practical techniques you can use later, and the meal becomes part of the lesson. The chef’s television and award background adds interest, though you should still judge the experience by the menu, time, and service included in your booking.

Remember to add the 20 percent gratuity. It is not included. Also ask about any upgrade charge before booking, especially during holiday periods when the basic class is unavailable.

Wine, dinner, and the social side

Wine from the chef’s cellar is served with the recipe tasting. That gives the final meal a more complete dinner feel and pairs the food with a drink selected from the chef’s collection.

The included details list dinner, brunch, cocktail and wine, and private chef. Those labels suggest that the offering can take different forms, but they do not explain exactly when brunch applies or which drink is included in every class. Confirm the meal period and drink details if those points matter to your plans.

The social side may be best for people who enjoy conversation while working with food. A maximum of 12 people is small enough for a more relaxed class, though it is not a one-on-one lesson unless you book a private arrangement.

The highly positive feedback attached to this experience focused on the food, company, and Chef Alex’s teaching. That matches the strongest reason to book: you want a personal meal with an active cooking element, not a formal restaurant dinner where you simply sit and eat.

Dietary needs and menu requests

Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated. The chef will also custom-design a menu around your favorites and try to avoid ingredients you do not want.

You should share this information early. Do not wait until you arrive, especially if the restriction involves an allergy, medical need, or strict religious diet. Ask the provider to confirm what can be prepared safely.

The seasonal approach can help because the menu is not locked to one fixed dish. Still, flexibility has limits. Ingredient availability and the needs of other people in the class may affect the final plan.

If you dislike certain foods but have no medical restriction, explain your preferences plainly. The chef can then decide how much the menu can change without disrupting the class.

Group size, meeting point, and practical details

The experience starts and ends at 60 Julia St., St. Augustine, Florida 32084. There is no separate sightseeing route or transportation component. You are going to one place for the cooking session and dinner.

The maximum group size is 12 people. The mobile ticket makes it easier to keep the booking details on your phone, and the activity is offered in English.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. That timing matters if you are planning a special dinner or building a tight St. Augustine schedule. Do not assume the reservation is final until you receive confirmation.

Service animals are allowed. The available information does not provide details about general mobility access, kitchen layout, or seating, so ask the provider if you need specific accessibility arrangements.

Cancellation terms need special attention because the information supplied is not consistent. One policy says cancellation up to two weeks before the start may receive a full refund, with a partial refund possible up to three days before the start. Another statement says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

Before paying, ask which policy applies to your exact booking. Save the answer in writing. That is particularly important if you are booking an upgraded holiday class.

Who will enjoy this class most

I would point this experience toward food-focused couples, small groups of friends, and visitors who want a dinner with some participation. It also suits home cooks who enjoy learning technique rather than simply collecting another restaurant reservation.

It may work well for a special occasion if you confirm the menu and upgrade cost in advance. A custom meal, wine from the chef’s cellar, and a small group can make the evening feel personal.

I would be more cautious if you have strict timing, a tight budget, or no interest in cooking. The class can run longer than 2.5 hours, the 20 percent gratuity is extra, and the upgrade structure can affect the final bill.

Families may find it appealing, but the information does not specify a minimum age or child pricing. Ask before booking if children will attend.

Should you book Chef AlexG’s cooking class?

Book it if you want a hands-on French cooking lesson followed by a seasonal meal in a small setting. Chef AlexG’s television background, menu flexibility, and wine service give the experience a clear identity.

Before you commit, confirm four things: the class level, the full price, the included courses and drinks, and the cancellation terms. This matters more here than with a simple fixed-price food tour.

If those details are clear and the menu appeals to you, the class offers a personal way to spend an evening in St. Augustine. If the booking remains vague about upgrades, choose another plan or get written confirmation first.

FAQ

Where does the cooking class begin and end?

The class begins at 60 Julia St., St. Augustine, Florida 32084, USA. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. An upgraded class described by the provider lasted 3.5 hours, so allow extra time if you select an upgrade.

Who teaches the class?

Chef AlexG teaches the class. His professional background includes producing Martha Stewart Living and receiving a James Beard Award for work connected with Lidia’s Italy.

Can the menu accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated, and the chef can custom-design the menu around your favorites while avoiding unwanted ingredients as much as possible.

Is wine included?

The experience includes a glass of wine from the chef’s cellar with the recipe tasting. The included details also mention cocktail and wine, but you should confirm the exact drinks for your chosen class level.

Are gratuity and cancellation included in the price?

A 20 percent gratuity is not included. The supplied cancellation information gives conflicting terms, so confirm the policy that applies to your booking before paying.