Classic French Cooking in Minneapolis

French cooking has a reputation for being complicated, but the truth is that the best French food is built on simple techniques done well. A perfectly braised chicken. A pan sauce made from the fond left in the skillet. A tart with flaky, buttery pastry and seasonal fruit. These aren't difficult dishes — they just require a little patience and the right guidance.

In Chef Laura's French cooking class, you'll learn the techniques that make French food so satisfying. You might make a classic Coq au Vin — chicken braised slowly in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, and herbs until it's falling off the bone. Or a silky potato gratin. Or a proper French vinaigrette that transforms a simple salad into something extraordinary.

These are the kinds of dishes that feel special but are actually built for home cooks. Chef Laura's philosophy is that great French cooking isn't about restaurant tricks — it's about understanding a few foundational techniques and using them with confidence.

What makes French cooking so enduring isn't complexity — it's respect for ingredients. The French tradition of shopping for what's fresh, cooking it simply, and presenting it beautifully is the same philosophy that guides everything Chef Laura teaches.

In this class, you'll learn techniques that elevate everyday cooking. A proper vinaigrette. Deglazing a pan to make a quick sauce. Braising tough cuts of meat until they're fork-tender. These are skills you'll use every week, not just for special occasions.

Classes are held in Chef Laura's Minneapolis kitchen studio with small groups of 6–8. All ingredients are provided, and at the end of the evening you sit down together and enjoy the full meal you've created — exactly the way the French do it.