LEARN TO COOK WITH CONFIDENCE!
Cooking with Confidence Course for Beginners in Washington, DC
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming or take a lot of time. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to cook, but I don’t know where to start,” this course is for you.
In our four-class Cooking with Confidence course for beginners, you’ll learn the essential techniques and building blocks of everyday home cooking through simple, adaptable recipes. Rather than just learning to follow recipes, you’ll learn why they work—how to build flavor, control heat and moisture, season food to achieve the flavor you want, judge when it’s done, and adapt a dish to the ingredients you have on hand as well as your food preferences.
The goal is simple: to help you become comfortable enough in the kitchen that you can use a recipe as a starting point rather than a set of instructions you’re afraid to change.
In our in-person, small-group classes you’ll learn:
The techniques and patterns behind everyday cooking so you can stop simply following recipes and start cooking with confidence.
Core cooking techniques, including sautéing, browning, searing, roasting, simmering, stir-frying, marinating, deglazing and thickening sauces.
How to build flavor using aromatics, herbs and spices, browning, flavorful liquids, salt and acid—and how to taste and adjust as you cook.
How to manage heat, moisture and timing, from getting ingredients to brown instead of steam to coordinating several ingredients so everything is ready at the same time.
How to cook without being completely dependent on a recipe—understanding what you can substitute, what you can't, and how to adapt a dish to your tastes and ingredients you have on hand.
Basic knife skills, kitchen safety and efficient food preparation.
How to choose the right cookware for the job and which kitchen equipment is actually worth owning.
How to shop and cook economically, stock a useful pantry, reduce food waste and turn leftovers into new meals.
In the four classes, we will cover essential pasta dishes, versatile rice and chicken dishes, easy sheet (and skillet) dinners, and traditional soups and stews, suitable both for daily cooking and to impress your dinner party guests. Along the way, we'll also make simple desserts that introduce the fundamentals of everyday baking. Let us show you how easy and enjoyable cooking and baking can be!
This course also makes an excellent graduation or wedding gift for your loved ones. Please see the FoodFirst store for the gift certificates!
NOTE: We are happy to accommodate the vast majority of allergies and dietary preferences in all of our classes.
Photos by FoodFirst of food cooked on premises
© 2026 FoodFirst LLC
Upcoming Cooking with Confidence courses:
The fall term registration is now closed. New classes are coming in the winter term that starts early December, 2026.
NEW!! Cooking with Confidence Level II:
Took Cooking with Confidence course and loved it? Want to expand your skills further? This course is for you!
Oct/Nov Tuesdays: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, and 11/10, 6 to 8:30 pm. Register here.
Detailed description is here!
Current offerings do not fit your schedule? Fill out our form and let us know what day/time works best for you, and we will do our best to accommodate!
Skill Building: Knife Skills Class
Many home chefs do not realize how much improved knife skills could ease their food prep process. Our new skill-building knife skills class is designed to complement our popular cooking courses for beginners and intermediate-level cooks. In this class, you will learn the key principles of using knives in the kitchen:
How to hold a knife correctly,
Different knife grips and their function,
The “claw grip”,
Different chopping techniques and types of cuts in application to various common ingredients,
How and where to shop for kitchen knives, and
How to care for your knives at home.
This class is hands-on and is limited to 5 participants. See description of this class here.
Testimonials (from Google Maps reviews):
“The Cooking with Confidence course is ABSOLUTELY LIFE CHANGING. I don't usually leave google reviews, but I feel like everyone needs to take this class. I have two little kiddos and I am tired ;-) I was looking for a few easy, go-to recipes that everyone would actually eat. Elena went above and beyond, helping me adapt recipes to accommodate my son, who is a picky eater with food allergies. Several of her recipes are now part of our regular rotation and are really frigging good. My kids are actually eating them, which is just wild. In the past I have had an aversion to cooking and felt like it was a chore, but this class was so fun and enjoyable. It has taken a TON of stress out of meal prep for our family. Elena is also just a wonderful person—she genuinely wants you to love cooking and is bursting with knowledge about food and cooking. Her enthusiasm is contagious. I can't wait to take more classes and get classes as gifts for all the aspiring cooks in my life ;-)” (Rachel G.)
“We took the Knife Skills class with Elena and it was wonderful. She provided great information about knives in generals, purchasing, cleaning, etc. Then there was a hands on demonstration for cutting different food items. It was a great experience. She is a wonderful teacher who is patient and knowledgeable. Would recommend her classes and look forward to taking more.“
“I took the Cooking with Confidence classes with Elena and couldn’t be happier! She is very knowledgeable about food and makes you feel right at home. Values communication, collaboration, and having fun! Elena prioritizes educating inside and outside the class, with an easy to follow recipe card you can take home to replicate what you did that day. I can’t wait to sign up for my next master class! 10/10 recommend!!“ (Nicole M.)
“Elena is a great cook/teacher. Was never a cook, didn't need to be! Life changes and this was a life changer! I have taken the Cooking with Confidence Beginners course and the sourdough class. Both were amazing, learned so much, not just the recipes we cooked but the tips and tricks she taught us. Cooked a few dishes for friends and they were a success (they would honestly tell me otherwise!). All easy to follow recipes are provided to take home, including advice on supplies you may need, all inexpensive recommendations (I am sure you have in your kitchen but there might be that one thing you don’t have). Her sourdough class is amazing, now addicted to making sourdough bread (although had a few questions at the beginning!). If you take the cooking class you eat what is cooked and believe my you don’t leave hungry!“ (Lilian M.)
“Elena is a phenomenal cook AND TEACHER! I was truly a beginner (my spouse of 50y said I couldn't even boil water); and now I can read a NYTIMES recipe and make a pretty tasty meal. In a strange way I have to thank Elon for making it happen (take a class and you'll find out why 😉)!! …“ (Marc P.)
“The beginner’s course was great for inspiring me in the kitchen. I don’t love cooking–I see it as another chore–but Elena’s course helped drag me out of a slump. I learned the basics and beyond. I’ve never cooked with eggplant before, and couldn’t get a handle on slicing onions properly, et voila, 4 weeks later, I’m making new stuff in the kitchen, and enjoying it instead of dreading it. Not only do you learn cooking techniques, but Elena also walks you through smart grocery shopping, kitchen equipment, and cookware. If you are new to cooking or need a reset, I recommend this class. Plus, each class includes a full meal at the end, and sometimes, dessert!“ (Adriana C.)
(see more reviews on Google Maps)
Ready for more?
Check out our Master Chef classes and our baking classes!