If cooking is your passion, Asheville offers a wealth of opportunities to learn more about almost any type of cuisine. From cooking demonstrations to hands-on workshops to intensive, week-long cooking schools, from old-fashioned Southern cooking to vegan and vegetarian cuisine, you’ll find dozens of classes that will take you into a whole new world of kitchen creativity.

Here is a list of Asheville area cooking classes, cooking schools and cuisine demonstrations:

• The traditional food of the Appalachian Mountains is a blend of Native American, European and African ingredients and influences. Local cookbook author and food historian Barbara Swell teaches Log Cabin Cooking Classes on retro and traditional Appalachian cooking in a log cabin in the Haw Creek neighborhood of Asheville. Topics range from biscuit making to pies to wood stove and campfire cooking. For more information, call 828.298.2270. More...
   
• The Winery at Biltmore offers a series of cooking demonstrations by local and nationally-known chefs as part of their summer events. The demonstrations are free with regular admission to the Estate. For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, call 800.624.1575. More...
   
• Learn the traditional way to prepare your favorite dishes with Wally Maria’s Discover Italian cooking school. Maria—a native of Italy—reveals where to shop and how to combine courses for a delicious and healthy meal. Call 828.658.8928. More...
   
• If you’re after a more intense cooking experience, The Swannanoa School of Culinary Arts at Warren Wilson College offers one or two week-long cooking classes each July. Faculty includes local, regional and nationally-known chefs and wine experts. For information, call 828-301-2792. More...
   

Asheville has long been a Mecca for vegetarians and others interested in a healthy lifestyle. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or just want to explore healthier options for eating, there are classes tailored for you:

• Local vegetarian chef Lenore Baum offers a series of Vegan Cooking Classes at her school in nearby Weaverville. For information, call 828.645.1412. More...
   
• Local chef Michael Gentry offers a series of vegetarian cooking classes called Everyone Cooks! The class takes place each Thursday evening at the Ransom House Service Learning Center at Warren Wilson College. Topics vary by week. For reservations, call 828.273.6542. More...
   
• The Lazy Susan Kitchen Emporium offers vegetarian cooking classes. For more information, call 828.225.3235.
   

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