What is the difference between a participation class versus a demonstration class?

In a participation class, students wash their hands and join the chef in the kitchen. The Chef provides instruction on the recipes while students use the recipes to create the menu, then sit down to dine. 

In a demonstration class, students are seated for the entire class and watch the chef prepare the menu in front of them. The menu is served in courses. 

Will I be able to enjoy an adult beverage during class?

We offer wine, beer and soda for purchase for any class held at a Cooks | Bellecour kitchen. Our "Libations" classes serve wine/beer/liquor pairings as part of the menu. No outside food or drink is permitted in class, and food is not allowed to leave the kitchen unless specified in the class description.

Please be prepared to show your valid ID if you or any of your registered guests plan to consume any alcoholic beverages. Cooks | Bellecour policy is to card everyone.    

What is included in the class fee?

For any class held at Cooks | Bellecour the class fee includes instruction, printed recipes and tasting portions of everything on the menu to be enjoyed in class.

What should I wear to class?

We recommend comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes, and perhaps layers since things can heat up in the kitchen! We’ll provide aprons for all participation classes.

I have a group of six or more people. May we take the class together?

Yes! You can register up to a maximum of 6 guests per class. However, given the limited space and popularity of our classes, we may not always have the space available. Booking early is one option. Our class calendars are published by the first of each preceding month. If you have seven or more guests, a private cooking experience is the way to go. We offer private experiences at all three of our locations. Please contact our private events team to learn about our group/corporate team options at 651.288​.​7237 or fill out an inquiry form to obtain more details.

Kids cooking classes – do parents attend?

Seats in our kids and teen cooking classes are for kids only ages 8–12 and teens ages 13-17, unless otherwise stated in the class description. For classes held at Cooks | Bellecour, parents will be asked to fill out an emergency information form for each child. No adults are required to stay for these classes ... enjoy your free time. 

Cooks | Bellecour also offers in-person classes which is for kids ages 6-10 accompanied by a parent or guardian. Each participant (parent/guardian and kid) must register separately. This information is noted within the class description.

Do you have age requirements for your cooking classes?

Unless noted in the class description, kids ages 14-17 are welcome to attend a class held at Cooks | Bellecour with an adult who is 18 years or older. Two seats will need to be purchased to do so. For participation classes, participants will be using heating elements and sharp cooking utensils, and must be tall enough to comfortably reach counter and stove tops to get the full class experience. If you have questions, please call us and we can help you determine if the class is the right fit.

Note: We have kids cooking classes geared specifically for ages 8–12 years of age as well as teen classes for ages 13-17! We also have classes titled "Littles in the Kitchen" which require 1 adult to accompany a child age 5-8 years old). You can view the options at our Kids & Teen class category here.

Can I register someone for a class as a gift?

A Cooks | Bellecour gift card is the best way to give classes as gifts! This allows your recipient(s) to select classes that best suit their schedules and interests. Gift cards are available in any amount and can be purchased online or by visiting or calling any of our retail locations.

Can you accommodate special dietary needs?

For classes held at Cooks | Bellecour, you are welcome to eat around parts of the menu, but unfortunately, we are unable to make singular adjustments to the recipes in our public classes. We do, however, offer many classes each month that suit various dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free or shellfish allergies. Please contact us for assistance in finding the right class!

Parking 

• St. Paul, you’ll find dedicated parking behind our building.
• Minneapolis – North Loop, we recommend using the metered street parking in the neighborhood or the Hennepin ramp found at 1st Street & Hennepin Avenue.
• Edina, you'll find parking in the ramp directly next to us. 

Please see our maps for more details.