Cooking Class - Southern Cooking Feast

Casey

02 Feb 2025

We booked a cooking class with Chef Washington to celebrate my husbands birthday, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The moment we stepped into his home, he made us feel comfortable and welcomed, setting the tone for a fun and engaging evening.  The class was well-organized, and we all split into different stations to learn different parts of an authentic home-cooked Southern meal. The hands-on approach made the process enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re experienced in the kitchen or just learning. Chef Washington’s passion for cooking was evident, and his sous chef, Jane, was equally fantastic—super personable, helpful, and a great addition to the experience. The food we made was delicious—each dish had that perfect balance of cozy, home-cooked comfort with the quality you’d expect from a-restaurant. The flavors were rich, and every bite felt like true Southern hospitality on a plate. It was the kind of meal that warms your soul. From the perfectly seasoned proteins to the indulgent sides, everything came together beautifully, making the experience even more rewarding.Not only was the food delicious, but the entire night felt like a perfect mix of learning and fun. It was such a unique way to celebrate instead of just going out to dinner. The home was clean and inviting, and the overall atmosphere, along with chefs dog Charlie  made the experience even better. We absolutely loved our time and would do it again in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for something different, engaging, and delicious to do with friends, this is it. 100% recommend!

Sarah

25 Jan 2025

What an absolutely breathtaking experience! All eight of us were swept away by the joy of cooking alongside the incredible Chef Washington and the delightful Jane. Every moment was filled with laughter and excitement as we discovered new skills and reveled in the magic of teamwork. Under Chef Washington's masterful guidance, we came together to create a truly delicious meal that we could all be proud of! His teaching and patience made this experience unforgettable.

Sharon

07 Jan 2025

We had a grand time learning how to make Paella, Albondigas, Egg Tortilla and Delicious Flan! Chef Larson Washington gave us clear directions and made us feel very welcome and adventurous in his kitchen. He's an excellent teacher and knows how to ask great questions to keep the conversation going. The food was delightful, though still my favorite was the flan. We hope to use his recipes to entertain our friends. I had never made meatballs, so that I learned that, and also liked his style of cleaning up as you go. I highly recommend his classes!

Eugene

18 Dec 2024

We had a great experience with Chef Washington. He was very welcoming and easy to get to know. He prepared a wonderful menu and even added a few extras!

Heidi

15 Dec 2024

We enjoyed our evening. Chef Washington was welcoming and made the experience enjoyable.

Sergey

12 Dec 2024

Great cooking class Rush with Spanish Flavors with Chef Washington. We really enjoyed the process and result.

Jennifer

01 Dec 2024

Chef created a great experience! Chef exceeded expectations easy to engage in the conversations made it a fun experience! Learned a lot of new recipes that we can try at home!

Dakotah

28 Nov 2024

Chef Washington was excellent to work with! We did the Surf n Turf night with him and he was very flexible with scheduling. We had excellent conversation and everyone in my group had a wonderful time learning how to make a variety of delicious foods! Thank you Chef Washington!

Lisa

25 Nov 2024

Chef Washington creates a comfortable, safe environment for a fun night of cooking and eating. Highly recommended!

Brandon Stone

25 Nov 2024

Chef Washington assisted my group with cooking a great dinner and contributed to an even better experience.

Haniel

19 Nov 2024

Don't hesitate to book an experience with Chef Washington. We did his Rush of Spanish Flavors class and it was incredibly fun, engaging and also tasty. He ensured everyone was involved, taught us lessons along the way and kept enquiring on our experience as the night went along to ensure we were all having a good time. 10/10 I will book again.

Rachel

16 Nov 2024

Chef was so welcoming! He had everything prepped and ready to go. It was basically a private class for me & my husband. We Learned how to cook an entire meal which included a paella, torta, albondigas, and a flan for dessert. Delicioso! We ate our masterpieces and even brought home leftovers to enjoy. Chef Washington was knowledgeable, a very patient instructor and you could tell how much he enjoys teaching. Would love to take another class with him!

Nicole

15 Nov 2024

We had so much fun and the food was delicious. Chef Washington was a wonderful instructor! We will definitely book again.

Jessica Sorano

12 Nov 2024

Chef Washington did a great job of making feel at ease immediately upon arrival. He provided all the ingredients and did a great job helping us all feel part of the cooking experience. There were 4 of us, and of the 4, 2 were experienced and 2 were no and he did a great job adjusting to our individual knowledge levels. And so much food! I'm glad I read the earlier reviews to bring containers for leftovers. Definitely would recommend Chef Washington!

Selena

09 Nov 2024

Chef Washington opened his home and kitchen to us ( we have always cooked in a store kitchen before). This really made it feel like we were cooking with a friend and we enjoyed every bit of it. Will definitely sign up for another class!

Chrishele

06 Nov 2024

Walking in was a bit intimidating because the menu was something I always enjoyed eating but never knew how to make myself. The initial meet and greet was a nice ice breaker. Chef Washington made sure everyone was engaged and there was something for all to do in a timely manner. The signage at the entrance before departing was also a nice touch. Overall, great experience! Thanks Chef.

Mikayla

02 Nov 2024

Such a great experience! Good food, learned new skills, had a great time. Chef Washington was friendly and made us feel comfortable and welcome.

SONYA

26 Oct 2024

Chef Larson was personable and knowledgeable. The meal was great as was the environment. Thank you so much for an awesome experience.

Michaela

22 Oct 2024

The elevated thanksgiving cooking class was so much fun! We learned to make a number of staples and cannot wait to share with our family and friends! Definitely recommend booking a class with Chef Washington!

Wyatt

21 Oct 2024

We had a great time with Chef Washington! He was very accommodating for my wife's birthday brunch and the food he made was fantastic! I would highly recommend Chef Washington for any events where you need a private chef.

Robert

12 Oct 2024

Chef washington was awesome. We learned alot by participating and he was expert in including us in making the meal.

Zane

09 Oct 2024

Amazing experience, he really helped teach us how to turn the scratch ingredients into an amazing meal I've been bragging about with my friends and family. I absolutely suggest giving Chef Washington a try for an unforgettable experience!

Chinedu

21 Sep 2024

Amazing host, will come again

Lauren Ransom

12 Sep 2024

Homey environment, great conversation, knowledgeable leader, delicious meal!

Saylor

11 Sep 2024

Food was so amazing, very helpful, and we had a ton of fun. It was just my friend and I doing the lesson for her birthday. We also had a lot of really interesting conversations and felt like we were all friends sitting around a table.

Jeffrey

02 Sep 2024

Good, relaxed experience making good food

Suzanne

26 Aug 2024

Excellent teacher! Prepared, friendly, welcoming, and competent! The dinner we prepared together was delicious! His positive approach and energy is contagious!

Kaija

25 Aug 2024

We had the best time cooking with Chef Washington! He gave us an experience we will never forget! It was so much fun and he is so friendly and kind. Great experience!

Patricia

18 Aug 2024

Super fun. A lot of food. Bringing to go containers is a must. Chef is a nice guy.

Amanda

14 Aug 2024

If you're thinking of booking any experience with Chef Washington just do it! He taught my husband and I so much in just 1 cooking class, and we all prepared a fabulous meal with tons of leftovers. I admittedly am not great in the kitchen, but Chef Washington made me feel confident and accomplished. Chef Washington is a wonderful teacher, host and cook. We can't wait to book with him again!

Beth

13 Aug 2024

Chef Washington was wonderful. Friendly, informative and fun. The food was delicious and a good time was had by all.

Brad

13 Aug 2024

Chef Washington was a great host and Sherpa as we made our way through a delicious Thai meal. It was just the right amount of preparation, participation, and partaking in the feast! Chef Washington is easy-going. He keeps things moving. And he seems to really enjoy what he does!

Liz

07 Aug 2024

Chef Washington did a great job with adjusting the menu to accommodate our various dietary restrictions! the intro ice breaker was a great way to start the evening. Chef made sure we all had tasks and were contributing to the meal. I do wish that cozy meal was a bit more clear from the start that when you select the option to host in your own home there is going to be a lot of clean up once the meal is over. Luckily our team did a good job working together and no one was left to do it all themselves.

Sasha

28 Jul 2024

Chef Washington was awesome from start to finish. He was so warm and friendly and so fun to work with. He did a great job of explaining each step and assigning out multiple tasks and checking our work throughout. He was a delight to visit with and the food was amazing. Bring to go containers! He was kind in packaging ours up and we have left overs for dayzzzz! Would definitely recommend and will hire him again for future events and classes.

Katherine

27 Jul 2024

Amazing experience, Chef Washington is so welcoming and we loved the menu! Literally talked the whole way home about how much fun we had during the class. Highly recommend!!!

Nathan

25 Jul 2024

Excellent menu, friendly chef, and the class covered all the prep from raw ingredients to the final dish.

Alexis

22 Jul 2024

Chef Washington and the entire experience was amazing from start to finish. He promptly replied to questions before our arrival and offered alternatives to accommodate a peach allergy. We chose the Soulful Southern cooking class to try a new spin on dishes we already enjoy and learn a few professional tips. He had great energy and the conversation flowed naturally. He also did a good job explaining how to make the food, and we were able to taste everything as we made it. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun evening and a gourmet meal!

Jordaizn

30 Jun 2024

Excellent cooking class! Really enjoyed our time with Chef Washington. He made high end cooking seem easy and very delicious!

Eowyn

16 Jun 2024

We had so much fun learning to make some French classics. Chef Washington was fab and had us all involved and learning. Highly recommend for any kids! The meal was delicious and had so many dishes, we brought home tons of left overs.

Suzanne

09 Jun 2024

Chef Washington is amazing!! We absolutely loved working with him doing a private cooking class at our residence. He is so knowledgeable and kind. He showed up with flowers and a complementary bottle of wine as well as all the ingredients to cook an amazing French meal. We enjoyed every moment and learned so much. This was the perfect date night and will definitely work with him again. Thanks for your expertise Chef Washington!

Alex

04 Jun 2024

Chef Washington curated an amazing experience! My wife and I chose his course because we love to cook and his menus go above and beyond standard fare. Everything we made/ate was eHe surprised us a with an additional dish of fried catfish (one of my favorites) and paired our meals with a perfect zinfandel. We had an amazing time and learned a lot in the process. I can’t recommend him enough and my wife and I are looking forward to trying one of his other menus in the future!

Daniel

23 Jan 2024

Had a great experience with Chef Washington. Learned a lot and the food came out amazing!

Edward

22 Jan 2024

We had a great time with Chef Washington and one other couple in attendance. Everyone was welcoming. The food was great. We had a lot of fun

Britany

20 Jan 2024

We had a great time and the food was amazing. We would definitely do it again and will tell friends about him.

Deborah

13 Jan 2024

I am sad to post a negative review, but I think other customers need to know what happened to us before choosing to book their own experience. I wish I had spent more time vetting Cozymeal before spending a lot of money on what ended up being an expensive disappointment. Bottom line, our instructor was friendly, but there were several important misses in our experience. A serious food allergy ignored. Concerns regarding food handling safety. Dishes that were not aligned with the cuisine. Incomplete dishes. We booked this for six adults as a private cooking class. It did not, in any of our opinions, live up to Cozymeal’s promise to deliver an “exceptional service” experience produced by a “certified chef.” I reached out directly to Cozymeal regarding our concerns but received no response other than to say they would look into it. There was no follow-up after that. Cozymeal buyers beware.

Sydney

08 Dec 2023

Chef Washington did an awesome job on our meal! It was delicious and such a good representation of PNW foods. We hired him to make a meal for a work function which was held in an airbnb - so there were some unknown elements regarding what would be in the kitchen. He did a great job of planning for the unknowns and being flexible when something was supposed to have been there but was not. He also did a great job of cooking on the island part of the kitchen while we were all around him in the kitchen and dining room. I cannot recommend him enough! And for my fellow Bainbridge Islanders - he did say he would consider coming to the island!

Benedicte

19 Nov 2023

Awesome experience cooking with Chef Washington and preparing a delicious meal! My husband and I had a great time - will definitely do it again with kids and friends. Highly recommended

Briar

12 Nov 2023

Lovely dinner with plenty of leftovers!

Juan

04 Oct 2023

Experience was great and Chef Washington is a good host. I liked being able to bring my champagne and enjoying it while we cooked. Learned a couple of new things we will continue to do in our own kitchen. Would recommend to my friends.

Adam

01 Oct 2023

Fun class!

Daryl

30 Sep 2023

The food prepared was delicious. My dinner companions and the chef were interesting. and I learned skills and practices I will implement.

Tanner Garrett

21 Sep 2023

We had a fantastic evening with Chef Washington - with just the two of us there was plenty to do and he was extremely easy to get along with! We also appreciated that he made a packet with the instructions and ingredients so we could cook the dishes ourselves at home (we did and it was delicious!) All-in-all would recommend!

Angela

16 Sep 2023

Chef Washington was amazing! We both learned so much and had absolutely delicious food. He was so generous and gracious to us as well. We both learned so much about thai cuisine and basic cooking techniques. We will definitely be doing this again!

Elaine

16 Sep 2023

We had a super fun evening with in our home with two couples and Chef Washington. The food was delicious and the portions were very generous (enough for left-overs!) Chef was skilled with delegation and shared a lot of good cooking tips. Great evening!

Raechel

13 Sep 2023

Chef Washington was friendly, fun and informative! A middle school Culinary Arts teacher by day, and works at a restaurant on the weekends, his knowledge was clear and his passion and patience for teaching made him a valuable leader in the kitchen. I gained new Thai cooking skills, ate great food, and enjoyed all the good company at hand! Chef generously sent us home with ample leftovers at the end, would highly suggest!

Margarita

06 Sep 2023

We had a fantastic experience at Chef Washington's cooking class. Throughout the session, we gained a lot of new culinary knowledge. It was pleasantly surprising that we had the opportunity to prepare even more dishes than what was initially planned on the menu. The entire cooking process was incredibly enjoyable, and the gesture of presenting flowers to the ladies at the end added a delightful touch. We highly recommend this experience!

Ellington

28 Aug 2023

I bought this class for my second anniversary knowing nothing about Cozymeal or Chef Washington. The class turned out to be amazing. Chef was welcoming, friendly, and brought a comforting atmosphere. He teaches cooking in middle school so it was second nature being a leader in the kitchen for him. Chef always had something for everyone to do, and made it essential that everybody got a try at cooking. He also had a dog named Charlie who I found adorable. At the end, (as awesome as I think he is) I liked that we ate without Chef. It gave the class a chance to connect a little bit. Maybe I only liked it because the other couple was a pleasure as well. All in all, Chef Washington is a great teacher, cook, and host. And I would recommend him to any person.

Tracy

26 Aug 2023

It was great. Food was above and beyond. Tasted great. Environment was clean and well stocked. Chef was courteous. He had great knowledge. Can’t wait to do it again.

Debra

19 Aug 2023

It was an excellent experience.

Hamilton Carter

18 Aug 2023

Chef Washington, has an easy going and patient personality. The experience was fun and relaxed. Was a great bonding session for me and my wife and chef Washington kept everyone involved and learning! Thanks chef!

Sasha

15 Aug 2023

First Cozymeal experience, and my bf and I really enjoyed our time with Chef Washington! He provided with aprons and name tags, took time to do introductions and share fun facts, then he walked through the menu. I was really excited for this class as I haven't dabbled in cooking French cuisine, and his kindness and approachability made it much easier to jump in. It was just the three of us in the kitchen, and Chef Washington was very good at checking in, gauging our interests, delegating, and supporting. With a small group, we were all staying busy and it was really engaging to cook. He gave us tips and tricks along the way for cooking and we chatted throughout the night about life, interests, and food. The meal was so good and it was rewarding that we helped cook it. The chicken fricassee and mushroom gravy were absolutely delicious. The chicken fell right off the bone. We also made an extra dish, as he made the pate ahead of time due to the time constraints. I loved the pate; while basic ingredients, the labor of love and technique to build flavor was evident here. YUM. This exceeded any expectation I had. Thanks for hosting us, Chef Washington! Tips: - bring a water bottle and stay hydrated throughout the experience. Chef offered us bottled water he had in the fridge, but even with 3 of us, we were losing track of which bottle was whose. - bring your own to-go containers, in case you have any leftovers you'd like to take. Chef generously gave one of his big containers and some ziplocs.

Suzanne

07 Aug 2023

Chef Washington not only met expectations he exceeded them 1,000 fold. Thank you chef for creating such a memorable birthday experience for my daughter.

Kim

01 Aug 2023

Great class! Easy to follow recipes that were super tasty and not so complicated that we won’t use them in the future! Chef Washington was great!

Laura Islas

29 Jul 2023

Chef Washington is a great teacher and chef! My boyfriend and I learned so much and got exposed to cooking foods we normally wouldn’t feel comfortable making. Highly recommend him for any cooking class he offers!

Nathan

29 Jul 2023

Chef Washington was great! We had an amazing time making delicious Thai food! Highly recommend!

YING

22 Jul 2023

The chef managed process well and the kitchen are well organized. We enjoy the time cooking together and eating together in a home environment.

Zandi

21 Jul 2023

10/10 experience! Felt so welcome in his home- the food was incredible! Chef Washington’s whole vibe was so chill we felt right at home! The food was so good and so much we could barely finish it even though we wanted to keep eating! He really let us do our own thing throughout the recipe! Extra bonus: the dog Charlie was super cute!

Michelle

21 Jul 2023

Such a fun experience! Chef Washington was relaxed, knowledgeable, and a wonderful host. Everything on the menu was delicious and everyone in my group felt proud of the meal we made together.

Vivian Ta

10 Jul 2023

While the food tasted great, especially the confit chicken from Chef Larson and the apple tarts that we made, I felt like this experience in comparison to some of the others that I've had on CozyMeal fell short in a few ways: - Kitchen floor felt dirty/grimy (Slippers should have been provided) - No aprons (Should probably have been provided for all the splatter on our clothes from the oil) - Experience felt haphazard and a bit disorganized - Our names were confused basically the entire experience (name tags were definitely needed) - Because we were switching between so many stations, it might have made more sense to provide us with disposable kitchen gloves so we didn't have to wash our hands so many times when switching from say touching chicken to touching veggies. Or just...more tongs. I think out of the whole experience, the only thing I got out of it was making a roux as that was the only station I was at long enough to finish what I was doing. We were shifted around so many times that it was hard to stay focused on what we're doing and learning. To make the experience better, I believe the Chef should either provide the slippers/gloves/aprons or possibly let the customers know beforehand to bring those on their own.

Catherine

08 Jun 2023

We had a wonderful time with Chef Washington! The food was delicious!

Melanie

08 Jun 2023

We chose a meal by Chef Washington for a team building event, and it was an amazing time! He was patient and knowledgeable, and helped us both learn about cooking/baking and make delicious food. The results were incredible! Highly recommend!

Justin

08 Jun 2023

Chef Washington was friendly and a wonderful host. We signed up for the French cooking class, and the chef welcomed us into his lovely home. He had prepared some snacks and wine from the appetizer portion of the menu, so we could chat and get comfortable as we prepared to cook. Chef Washington was great about making sure everybody had something to do and felt included, and had us pause a few times to taste what we were preparing. In addition to the recipe, he taught us a few basic techniques that I think we'll all find useful going forward. When we finished, he had us sit down at the table with some wine and served us the fabulous meals we helped to cook. I can definitely recommend the experience! We had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and the food was amazing. Thank you again!

Girlgeek101

03 Jun 2023

This was the most amazing experience I've ever had in the kitchen! The chef was not only an highly talented instructor (you need patience with me LOL) but he was so efficient in everything that the kitchen was spotless again once the meal was done! PLUS the food tasted AMAZING! Absolutely an experience I'd love to do again! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Briana

21 May 2023

This was such a fun cooking class to learn the basics of thai cuisine. Chef Washington was patient and thorough and an excellent host in his home. Highly recommend!

Kay

21 May 2023

Chef Washington was great! Very organized and personable. My daughter and I enjoyed our cooking experience, and the Thai food was delicious.

Kari

18 May 2023

Fun evening prepping for our delicious Thai meal. Chef Washington is very knowledgeable and fun to work with in the kitchen. We had a great time and highly recommend this meal

Cori Bowman

11 May 2023

Chef Washington’s culinary vision for the surf and turf served a well-rounded and thoughtful experience. He makes an excellent host - Our group has a range of cooking skills but all participated and felt welcomed. Thank you chef!

Shon

07 May 2023

Chef was hospitable. Home was clean. Experience felt disorganized, lacking preparation. It was as if we were the first customers to attend this experience for this chef.

Ahmed

05 May 2023

Chef was friendly, and company was great!

Brenda

30 Apr 2023

Very nice guy. This was his first class and he has some kinks to work out, The concept is great and we had a really fun group of people. Having the ingredients cleaned, trimmed and prepped ahead of time would have made the cooking more efficient. Explaining each course and how it is prepared to everyone would have been better than assigning each person to a task. Have guests being their own aprons.