Courtesy, Fanatic Kitchen Studio

Want to master Creole, Chinese or Italian cuisine or perhaps you’re looking for a how-to class on cake decorating, breadmaking, appetizers or desserts?

There are many options here in T&T from recreational classes at the Trinidad & Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute to interactive sessions at Fanatic Kitchen Studio, a cool concept kitchen and culinary space.

FANATIC KITCHEN STUDIO (Port of Spain, Trinidad; (868) 221-9993) - Trinidad’s most exciting and versatile culinary spot offers long-term cooking classes and one-day interactive sessions on appetizers & desserts; international cuisines; cake decorating; wine tasting & appreciation courses.  Fanatic Kitchen Studio also occasionally hosts children’s cooking classes, cooking limes and wine tastings.  Class Details - Classes and special events vary in length; Participants can sample food prepared during sessions. (Check our April Food Events Calendar (link) for upcoming classes.) 

WENDY RAHAMUT SCHOOL OF COOKING (San Fernando, Trinidad; (868) 653-1478) - Trinidad’s culinary rock star shares her craft at her San Fernando cooking school and in her cookbooks, Caribbean Gourmet magazine, a weekly Guardian newspaper column and her Caribbean Flavours television show on local TV 6.  Rahamut’s demonstration classes offer a taste of local and global cuisines such as Flavours of the Mediterranean and an Hors d’oeuvres Class focused on elevating local staples – how to make Paprika-Dusted Coo-Coo Strips, Cassava Puffs and Coconut Shrimp w/Fire & Spice Orange Dip.  Classes also cover culinary essentials like Baking Bread and Perfect Pastries. Class Details - Classes are generally three hours; Rahamut is the class teacher; Participants can sample food prepared during sessions; Recipe handouts are provided; Partial registrations and inquiries are accepted online;  Link to great write-up about Rahamut’s Hors d’oeuvres & Cocktails class. (Classes are usually $400 each). 

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INSTITUTE (Chaguaramas or Marabella, Trinidad; (868) 634-4250) - TTHTI is a full-fledged academic institution that offers degree programs as well as intensive “short” classes for home cooks like East Indian or Chinese Cuisine, as well as more practical courses like Catering Essentials, Dining Etiquette and Professional Bartending. Class Details - TTHTI short courses do not require academic prerequisites; Courses run from a few days to several weeks depending on the course; (Classes vary in price and all require a $50 registration fee in addition to the class fee).  Link to 2013 short classes schedule.

CROWNER’S CULINARY INSTITUTE (San Juan, Trinidad; (868) 686-6646 or (868) 638-2173) - Offers short courses on Christmas Cookery, Cake Decorating (beginners and advanced), Pastry and Bread Making, Party Snacks, Creole Cookery and Indian Cookery; basic course materials are included with course fees. Class Details - Courses are scheduled for once a week and typically run for four weeks).  Link - Crowner’s Cooking School Class Descriptions.

ROBERT GODERRE OF NEW EARTH ORGANICS CAFE (Woodbrook, Trinidad; (868) 393-3109) – Offers healthy breadmaking courses on Transitioning to Healthier Food Choices – weekly class that includes topics like Baked Goods; Soups & Appetizers; Main Courses; Sprouting and Veggies.  (The cafe is co-located with NEW EARTH ORGANICS MARKET.)  Contact Robert Goderre at rgoderre@gmail.com for more information on current classes.

FARA’S CAKE SHOPPE (Piarco, Trinidad; 868) 294-1900 or (868) 465-0515 (do not leave message at this #)) – Offers classes in cake making, cake decorating, a class focused on rose making for cakes.  Email address is classes@hmcakes.com.  Link to more information on classes.

JUST IN TIME CATERING (Woodbrook, Trinidad; (868) 356-3235) – Weekly Cooking Classes covering local cuisine, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean cuisines, and basic introduction to cooking.  “Bring your own personal knives as well as notebooks or any computer devices such as laptops, tablets or iPads.” (Classes range from $250-$300/week). 

CALLENDER CAKE DECORATING SUPPLIES (San Fernando, Trinidad; (868) 652-5487; 687-9062; 771-6248) – Occasionally has classes on cake decorating. Email address – callenders@gmail.com.

PASTRY CLASS 101 (Port of Spain or Woodbrook, Trinidad; (868) 788-8004) - Offers bread making classes on Essential Breads; Italian Breads; French Breads; and Sourdough Breads. Email address – jivita.d@gmail.com.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (St. Clair, Trinidad; (868) 622-6119) - The Alliance Française (AF) organises “cultural workshops” on various aspects of French culture and other French-speaking countries.  The culinary workshops are usually offered in April and July.  Past sessions have included workshops on French Mediterranean cuisine; Bordeaux wine; and the world of French wines.  Class Details - AF workshops are open to the public (i.e., non-AF members); Courses are one day; (Classes are usually $150/person and $75-80 for AF members and students).

FLORA’S SCHOOL OF CAKE DECORATING (Tunapuna, Trinidad; (868) 702-9379) – Offers courses on cake baking, cake decorating, sugar artistry (fondant), royal icing, etc.  Contact Flo.das@hotmail.com for class schedules.

TOBAGO HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INSTITUTE (Mt. St. George, Tobago;  (868) 660-2196/2352) – Offers a wide range of short self-enhancement courses for the general public like Basic Bartending, Introduction to Food Art, Italian Cooking, Pastry Making, Cake Making & Decorating and Dining Etiquette.  Email address - info@tobagothti.com.

Ministry of Food Production (Agriculture Now) Farmers Training Centre’s FREE TRAINING COURSES – Offers free courses to the general public like Home Gardening; Pineapple Production; Winemaking; Pepper Sauce Making; Pumpkin & Squash Production; Cocoa Production and more. Classes are offered in multiple locations throughout Trinidad.

Don’t miss the APRIL 2013 Foodie Event Calendar for Trinidad & Tobago (link)!  Current cooking & baking classes for the month are listed on this calendar.

RELATED LINK - Children’s cooking camps and classes in Trinidad