French Masters Cooking Class

Sharpen your French technique and cook an elegant four-dish menu with this hands-on cooking class in Berkeley!


Kitchen on Fire
Kitchen on Fire
5.0 (38)
Instagram followers 5k followers

3.5 hours Location Berkeley Class size 1 to 10 (public classes), 10 to 20   $225

Take your French cooking skills to the next level with the French Masters Series, led by Chef Alain Bourgade and inspired by the refined techniques of the Ducasse kitchen. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or simply passionate about French cuisine, you’ll go beyond recipes to explore classic technique, flavor, and presentation.
Class begins with a short lecture from the chef on the day’s theme and recipes. Then you’ll break into small teams and cook an elegant menu from scratch:
Menu
  • Silky mushroom velouté: Crispy celeriac, fried parsley, and warm white wine
  • Sea bass over fondant endives: Truffle jus
  • Tender roasted chicken breast: Coco beans with chorizo, and acidulated roasting jus
  • Crisp calvados apple pastry: Caramelized puff pastry, and vanilla ice cream
A snack is served at the start, and you’ll sit down to enjoy the dishes you made at the end of class. Eat as much as you like, though zoning rules mean food can’t be taken home.
If you're looking for fun things to do in Berkeley, this cooking class for beginners makes for great date ideas, team-building activities, birthday ideas, and more. Bring your appetite and walk out with professional techniques you’ll want to try in your own kitchen!
Allergies
Please take a look at the class menu. If you think you might be allergic to anything on the menu, please indicate it on your class registration. If you have a concern, get in touch, and we can double-check the ingredient list.
Please note:
Independently created and presented by Chef Alain Bourgade. This class is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Alain Ducasse or Ducasse Paris.

Upcoming dates for French Masters Cooking Class

Times are Los Angeles time. Dates and prices as of 14 Nov 2026, 3:31pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

1 upcoming date between 4 Dec 2026 and 4 Dec 2026.

  • Fri, Dec 4 2026, 6pm-9:30pm
What you'll get
Make French dishes from scratch to enjoy at the end of class!
Knowledge required
  • Ages 15+
  • Beginner-friendly
What to bring
  • Close-toed shoes are mandatory. High heels, open-toed shoes, sandals, flip flops are NOT allowed in the kitchen.
  • Shoulder-length hair or longer needs to be worn back and away from your face; we have plenty of hair ties in the kitchen for you to use and keep.
  • Feel free to bring a favorite apron or a knife you want to practice with but know that we will supply aprons and all the tools you need for use during class.
  • We whole-heartedly invite class participants (who are 21 and older) to bring any wine or beer they would like to enjoy during class for personal consumption. Kitchen on Fire employees cannot open or serve beverages you bring into the kitchen. We cannot sell or distribute alcohol, and we uphold ABC regulations. Minors cannot drink, and we cannot have intoxicated students attend class.
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, team building activity, Christmas party, birthday or bachelorette party.

This experience would also be a cool gift for her, gift for mom, Xmas gift or gift for couples.

Location

Kitchen On Fire - 1509 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709

French Masters Cooking Class location
Verified reviews


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Your teacher
Chef Alain Bourgade

Chef Alain Bourgade


Born and raised in the Cévennes region of southern France, Chef Alain Bourgade comes from a multi-generational culinary family whose restaurant tradition dates back to 1720. He grew up in a true farm-to-table culture, where respect for the product, the land, and the people who cultivate it shaped his philosophy: in the kitchen, nothing is wasted, and everything is honored.

Alain built his career across both Michelin-level gastronomy and large-scale culinary operations. He trained and worked in prestigious kitchens in Monaco and New York, later serving as Executive Chef at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., and then as Corporate Executive Chef leading culinary development for large regional restaurant groups. His experience bridges refined French technique with high-volume execution and team leadership.
Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chef Alain teaches and cooks with a focus on seasonality, precision, and the emotional power of food. His classes emphasize craftsmanship, sensory learning, and full utilization of ingredients — celebrating both tradition and modern culinary intelligence.




Your host

Kitchen on Fire
Kitchen on Fire

5.0 (38)
Instagram followers 5k followers

Kitchen on Fire offers hands-on cooking experiences in Berkeley and Oakland. Since 2005, Chef Olive and professional chef instructors have been sharing their knowledge and love for cooking through public classes, team-building and corporate wellness events. Lisa Miller teaches classes with a nutrition focus, promoting healthy living through meals made with high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
With a deep passion for sharing delicious food and life-long dedication to healthy living, co-owners Olivier Said and Lisa Miller can be found in the kitchen or working with students or clients in some capacity every day of the week.

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