Top 9 New Orleans Cooking Classes

1.New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,000 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43Our pick

At the New Orleans School of Cooking, a local chef demonstrates Creole favorites such as gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, and pralines. You watch from a converted 19th-century molasses warehouse, sample each dish with beer or iced tea, and take home the recipes. This is a demonstration, not a hands-on class.

“Very well organized and an engaging presentation. Eating the food we just watched prepared was great. I will recommend this experience to all my friends visiting New Orleans”

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2.New Orleans Hands-On Cooking Class with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

At the New Orleans School of Cooking, you’ll spend about three hours cutting, seasoning, cooking, and eating a Louisiana meal with a professional chef. Classes use five cooktops for up to 10 people. Menus may include gumbo, yam-crab bisque, BBQ shrimp and grits, jambalaya, bananas Foster, or pralines, with wine, beer, recipes, and an apron included.

“Skip lunch that day of the scheduled cooking class. You will be eating a lot of good food and drink.”

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3.Cajun and Creole Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 730 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $40Best value

At the New Orleans School of Cooking in a restored early-1800s molasses warehouse, an English-speaking chef demonstrates Cajun and Creole dishes while sharing food history and local folklore. You will eat the finished meal, sample Dixie beer, iced tea, and lemonade, and take home recipes plus a store coupon. This is a demonstration, not hands-on cooking.

“Great way to learn the history of Nola, food and culture! 10/10 recommend!”

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4.Hands-on Cajun Roux Cooking Class in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 356 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $163

At the Mardi Gras School of Cooking, you’ll chop the Cajun Holy Trinity, build dark and light roux, cook gumbo and shrimp étouffée, then make bananas Foster. Chefs including Connor, Raymond, Mark, Jason, Cam, and Erika lead the hands-on class. Groups are limited to 10, and wine or soda is included.

“One of the best things we did in New Orleans. Mark our chef has so many great stories. Humble and funny! The small class was so intimate - we got to know some people from different places. We did most of the cooking too - I am excited to cook some nawlins food for my family.”

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5.Cooking Class & Cocktail Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 16 reviews · 4 hours · from $105

Spend four hours learning Louisiana cooking at New Orleans School of Cooking, then walk the French Quarter with an English-speaking guide. Sample jambalaya, gumbo, and pralines, take home recipes and spices, enjoy two cocktails, and finish at Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub. Guides such as Bob, Kimberly, and Harriet add local stories and humor.

“Cooking demonstration was great! The cocktail walking tour, not as much. Only 2 out of the 3 cocktails provided.”

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6.Private New Orleans Cajun Cooking Class with a Local Courtland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $64

Join Courtland in his New Orleans home for a private, three-hour Cajun cooking class. You’ll sip a drink, hear local stories, cook three dishes, compare Cajun and Creole food, then sit down to eat with beer or wine. Lunch and dinner times are available.

“Not knowing exactly what to expect… we were greeted as if we were long lost friends… Courtland delivered an amazing meal while showing us around the property… from fresh grown vegetables and herbs from his garden to the family heirloom cookware he used… every detail was thought out and executed perfectly… I highly recommend this one of a kind experience and will definitely do it again!!!”

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7.Traditions Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 3 hours · from $157

At Mardi Gras School of Cooking, you’ll learn Cajun and Creole cooking in a small group of up to 10. Chefs such as Raymond and Erika guide you through barbecue shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage jambalaya, and chocolate bread pudding with brandy mocha sauce. The three-hour class includes wine, beer, sodas, water, and your meal.

“**A Must-Do in New Orleans – Fun, Flavorful, and Unforgettable!** Taking a class at Mardi Gras Cooking School was one of the highlights of my trip! “Coach” was an outstanding instructor—warm, funny, and full of local charm. He made us feel like we were cooking in his own kitchen at a dinner party. The class was hands-on, informative, and packed with helpful tips for recreating the dishes at home (including how to fix common mistakes). The recipes were easy and the food was absolutely delicious—true New Orleans flavor! I left full, smiling, and already thinking about which class to take next time. Highly recommend this experience for food lovers and…”

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8.Food Walking Tour & Cooking Class Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 5h 30m · from $127

Spend three hours tasting your way through the French Quarter, then watch Chef Tom at New Orleans Cooking School prepare Louisiana favorites. Guides such as Susan and Nate add food and local context. Expect 6 to 7 tastings, recipes, refreshments, and lunch, with menu changes possible.

“I enjoyed all the information on the people and different kinds of food in this area. Very interesting.”

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9.Hands-on Cajun Roux Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews · 3 hours · from $157

In New Orleans’ French Quarter, you’ll cook chicken and andouille gumbo, shrimp etouffee, and bananas Foster in a three-hour class for up to 10 people. Chef Raymond, Mark, and Jason have led recent sessions, teaching Cajun and Creole methods, seasoning, roux, and the Cajun Holy Trinity. Wine, beer, sodas, and water are included.

“Loved it we made gumbo and shrimp etoufee along with bananas foster - none of which I made and it was amazing!”

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