Westlake Culinary Institute

Westlake Culinary Institute is no longer in business…
I gave the one star rating to express my feelings about their closing

Cheri and Jackie are the best. I would recommend taking culinary classes, even for guys.

Just took the Encore: Romantic French Dinner with Mike Clarke, our first class in their new redone look under the new owners. Mike and the TA’s did an excellent class and event, with great instruction and fun throughout. I’ve had classes at Sur La Table in Laguna Beach and the Four Seasons in Westlake Village, and Westlake Culinary, while smaller, is very much on par. Great fun and an exciting event to start the Valentine’s Day weekend!

New owners and management are wonderful! They are really doing a great job with the store and school. I will for sure be taking more classes here. Looking forward to seeing this place grow and become great like it should be.

I was given a class here for my birthday, A Night in Havana where around twenty students prepared and cooked our way through a menu of Cuban dishes that included Arrinchina, beef rojas, chicken picadillo, ice cream, mojitos. All were taught by Mike with several chef assistants who broke us into smaller groups. After 3 hours we had cooked 1 appetizer, 3 entrees, one dessert, 2 sides and 2 drinks. What a fun nigh!

I’ve been coming to LGC for six years consistently. I have had a love for cooking since I was a young girl. When I first discovered LGC in Westlake Village, I was thrilled to have found a place that fulfilled my passion. Prior to my discovery, I thought that I knew a lot about cooking, however, after my first class I was shocked to realize how much I really didn’t know. At that point, I became addicted to the experience.
Since frequently taking classes, I have walked away with a great knowledge of the handling of food, preparation, flavors and food quality. At LGC, I have been introduced to ingredients from around the world, where to locate them and how to properly utilize them.
I have enjoyed classes with famous chefs from all around the nation that often visit from their well-​known restaurants, TV personalities and several award-​winning teachers. I’m always indelibly impressed by the staff that works there, including their hard work, knowledge, and professionalism whether they’re assisting a famous chef or teaching their own classes. All LGC staff are educated in culinary arts and have earned a degree from LGC’s award-​winning school of excellence.
After each class, students leave with recipes and the chance to pick up a signed copy of the featured chef’s cookbook. I highly recommend these classes for everyone who loves food: whether you’re an average cook or foodie such as myself, professional chef, a date night or to just indulge in a great meal.

I have been attending culinary classes at Let’s Get Cookin for over 25 years. This school has given me the opportunity to learn how to cook, from learning the most basic and simple techniques, to learning to cook dishes and ethnic foods from all over the world with classes taught by excellent, and very often by nationally renown chefs. If you want to learn to be a professional chef you can take their Professional Program and use the culinary arts to help guide you on a career path. There is a store attached to the school which allows one to purchase absolutely anything that belongs in a kitchen. The owner and her very knowledgeable staff are always available to assist and advise regarding purchases. I have taken at least 200 classes over the years, and would highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to have lots of fun and gain a wealth of knowledge while learning to cook. I have met famous Food Network chefs and taken their classes at Lets Get Cookin, I have made friends who I met while attending classes who share my interests in food and wine and entertaining. I joined the schools Gourmet Club, and we meet periodically to cook at the school, in each others homes, and take food and wine field trips to places of interest for a food lover. If you just want to have a nice time, meet some like minded people, and learn to cook some delicious food, Let’s Get Cookin is the place to try. I have enjoyed years of interesting classes. There is no pressure to be perfect, we are learning, and just like cooking at home, sometimes recipes made by the students may turn out to be less than perfection, but the more important lessons of working together, figuring out what has to be done, learning the techniques to accomplish the tasks at hand, tasting and learning how to critique the food are what is ultimately important.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME… THIS PLACE IS DIRTY.
My husband and I enrolled in a sushi making class, this was my anniversary gift and I was looking forward to it for over 2 months. We walked out 10 minutes into the class HORRIBLE!!! When we arrived we were greeted in a very DRY manner by the woman at the front counter, as she greeted other students enrolled in the class who walked in right behind us. We walked to the back of the store where the class was going to take place. The «chefs» and assistant «chefs» were walking right passed everyone as if they were in a trans with no «Hello» or «Welcome» not even a «We know you paid 200 for this class, so let me give you a fake hello even». NOTHING. Whatever. We sat down and waited patiently. Then it began, the sous chef has a cough attack. She goes into the bathroom (which is situated right in the kitchen next to the prep table) with her gloves still on and coughs up a storm. She walks back out and continues to prep food. NOT ONE TIME DID THE SINK TURN ON AS A SIGN THAT SHE WASHED HER HANDS, the door was open the entire time so its not like anyone could have not heard her wash her hands, COMPLETELY DISGUSTING. My husband and I looked at each other and figured we would be courteous and sit through the class to learn anyways, we had already made the drive. After seeing that we knew we were not eating the food, we were not getting sick. Then the demonstration began, the lady demonstrating the rice technique had dirty gloves on, she was touching instruction papers then handling the rice. The lady rolling the California rolls had rice stuck to her fingers then wiped them on a flowered towel, THEN used the same towel she wiped her hands with to cover the rice. I’m not a chef but CLEARLY the practices that I use in my kitchen are MUCH MORE SANITARY than the ones used in this place. I WAS SO GROSSED OUT, I looked at my husband and he too was thinking what I was thinking LET’S LEAVE! So we got up and just walked out. I will NEVER come to this place again, let alone refer someone here. In reading other Unilocal reviews I’m glad that I am not the only one who feels this way. Word of suggestion for you to practice on your patrons in the future… HAVE MORE OF A WELCOMING FEEL, PRETEND THAT YOU LIKE YOUR JOB A LITTLE BETTER, HAVE MORE SANITARY PRACTICES AND MOST OF ALL… PLEASE WHEN HAVING A COUGH ATTACK, TAKE YOUR GLOVES OFF BEFOREHAND AND AFTER WASH YOUR HANDS!

If you’re looking for an entertaining Friday night out, take one of the Martinis and Appetizers classes with Joe Menz. LGC also offers technique classes for serious students who want to advance their culinary skills. I hope to one day enroll in the professional cooking class.
My husband and I have been to two of the martini and appetizer making class. These classes are a great way to meet friendly people with good taste in food, especially if you’re new to the area. We had lots of fun and they are quite heavy handed with their pouring. The classes are a little pricey but a nice holiday gift for someone who loves to cook and entertain. I’m looking forward to going to the chocolate making technique class this winter.

I am a total foodie – What could be more fun than learning to cook like a gourmet in class and then eating the yummy rewards with the group you just worked with? I came to lets get cookin’ as a good cook but after taking basics, advanced basics, international basics and so many specialty classes, I have developed such an extensive repertoire that my family and guests say «eating in» is memorable! The store sells the right equipment (with a discount if you are in a class) for getting the tasty results and trying new dishes be it roasting, smoking, baking, presssure cooking, etc. There is also a good selection of interesting quality vinegars, sauces, spices, etc. The staff are cooks too who help steer you to the right choice for your kitchen whether it be a spatula or a fine coffee machine.

I’ve been taking various classes at this cooking school for over 10 years. I ‘ve selected classes I was interested in. both subject-​wise and instructor-​wise. I’ve taken approximately 24 classes or more per year. I have thoroughly enjoyed the classes taught by in-​house instructors (JoAnn H and Elizabeth O and Tim Mc to mention a few). Joanne H’s recipes and teaching style are superior.
The Basic, Intermediate, International and American Regional cooking series taught by the owner, Phyllis V and longtime culinary expert, JoAnn H are great refresher classes for older cooks, like me, or for cooks just starting out. There are classes which are lecture-​based, hands-​on, or a combination of the two teaching methods.
Phyllis brings in many outside teachers to round out the classes available each session. There are many ingredients, cooking supplies and cookbooks which I purchase as a matter of convenience. You should check out this cooking school by going on to the website, www. letsgetcookin’.com to check it out.
I highly recommend it!

I love supporting owner-​operated business and wish I could do so in this case, but I believe in the ethical treatment of Unilocal businesses. Being honest is my duty! Otherwise, how could they improve for their future clients?
Applauses: Hmmm… None?
Qualms: Unfortunately, I’ve accrued a whole laundry list. To begin, the venue was charming but far too cluttered. We walked into a tiny storefront that was overflowing with kitchen accessories & foods. In other words, we’ve already spent $ 150 on this couples class, but we are obviously being encouraged to spend a lot more to «supplement» the class. But no seasonings we used were being sold there. Anyway… The class began and the «Teacher» began to tell us stories about his legitimacy as a chef. Cool. Where is the instruction? About twenty minutes later he let us loose in the kitchen with our minds full of anecdotes and hands full of recipes. We began attacking the cooking of a nine course meal, each group in charge of different items. Our group was in charge of the salad, succotash, and biscuits. We were finished preparing and cooking our food within thirty minutes of the class beginning. So, we can eat now, right?! Nope. We were handed our dishes one at a time, often given about 20 minutes between each dish. Wait a second, wasn’t this being held on a Wednesday at 6:30? We didn’t start cooking ’til 7, weren’t given ANY instruction or tips on how to attack the dishes (which is the point of a cooking class, no?), AND about 3 hours later, some of the dishes were still yet to be plated. To top it ALL off, none of the dishes were cooked correctly. We spent ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS on 8 dishes that were undercooked or tasteless. As the dishes went out I would turn to my husband and comment on each’s success (or lack thereof) — «the rice is undercooked, it needs more cayenne, etc.» — Each comment I made, the «teacher» would then announce moments after I said it. So, why the hell would you let it be served? Blech. Also, take notice I said there were nine dishes and we ate eight? Well, we couldn’t stand waiting longer for a dessert that probably would have turned out mediocre.
Overall Impression: Poor food, no instruction/​teaching, and a cluttered/​outdated venue. Everything is a learning experience and this time, I learned to avoid Let’s Get Cooking.

I’ve taken some classes here before — knife class, martini & appetizers, and others. I was able to brush up on my knife skills and learn some new dishes. Good instruction in a casual atmosphere. Great for socializing and perhaps team building provided the participants are interested in cooking. Classes are decent sized and you’re not crowded in the kitchen.
Classes are started off by the instructor going over what will be cooked with some demonstration and the remainder of the class the students prep and cook. The only gripe I do have is with respect to cleanliness on the line. I’ve noticed one of the guest chefs here has gotten in the bad habit of sticking his fingers in sauces /​dishes and then licking them, which in my opinion is disgusting. Afterwards this guest chef doesn’t wash up. I’d never see myself on the line doing that. I think I’ll avoid this particular chef but will keep an eye out for popular guest chefs that are on the calendar.
Overall, the classes are taught at a casual pace with good instruction — depending on who’s teaching. I’d come back but will be weary on who’s teaching. The store, which the kitchen is attached to, has a lot of items for sale.

Phyllis and JoAnn are such a fun pair to take class with. I was lucky enough to enroll in their Basic Course and am looking into continuing further in the culinary program.
They are dynamic with Phyllis’s spicy personality and expertise while JoAnn has a more scientific, precise and mild (yet very funny) personality.
The recipes they taught us were amazing — delicious, unique, flavorful and completely doable.
The store is packed with great cooking supplies (hello, ricer & pressure cookers & food processors & cute aprons) and ingredients and their staff is very helpful and quite knowledgeable in culinary science as well.
Absolutely wonderful school and store.

I have been going here for 15 years… love the classes and they are offering a 25% discount for a class. The best deals and most fun are the friday night classes. you make the dinner and then eat as a group with wine. Martinis and appetizer friday classes are the best. If there is a big name sign up early because they sell out. We just saw Martin Yan there… a master.