COOKING CLASS + LUNCH/DINNER: Meet your host Chef Stephen at his home in La Quinta for your hands-on, Palm Springs cooking class. Sip on a refreshing drink and snacks as your host shares stories about being a chef. Then join him in his kitchen, a newly renovated, contemporary space. Learn to cook a Southwestern-inspired seasonal meal during your cooking class that is a combination of some hands-on cooking and a cooking demonstration. A very encouraging chef, Chef Stephen is great at sharing chef tips and tricks including how to plate your meal. You will learn to cook three courses during your cooking lesson and demonstration that lasts about 1.5 hours. After the cooking is done, you will sit down at the table to share the Southwestern meal you helped prepare with Chef Stephen (and his wife Jennifer when she is available). Beer or wine is included in the cost of your experience. This customizable Palm Springs culinary experience is ideal for date nights, small groups or team-building. Chef Stephen can accommodate gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, vegan diets and kosher diets.
Please note that for groups of 8 or more guests, Chef Stephen offers a cooking demonstration rather than a hands-on class. If you're interested in a more hands-on experience, Chef Stephen can create a customized menu that includes interactive techniques such as making tamales, forming and cooking crab cakes, assembling quesadillas or taquitos, and preparing fresh guacamole. This enhanced experience is priced at a higher rate per person, so please email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com for a personalized quote.
COOKING CLASS + BRUNCH: Meet Chef Stephen at his home in La Quinta for a hands-on Palm Springs brunch cooking class. Start with fresh-squeezed seasonal juice and a snack as he shares stories about his culinary journey. In his modern kitchen, learn chef tips and tricks while preparing a brunch menu through a mix of hands-on cooking and demonstration. A sample menu includes coffee cake, yogurt parfait, roasted vegetable and goat cheese strata, artisan bacon or sausage, and Yukon Gold potatoes O’Brien. Once the cooking is done, sit down to enjoy your creations with freshly brewed coffee and mimosas, followed by a sweet lemon-lime bar. Jennifer, Chef Stephen’s wife, may also join you for the experience when available.
1. For groups of 8 or more, please note that Chef Stephen requires a 50% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. The remaining 50% is subject to a 7-day cancellation policy, which differs from our standard 48-hour policy.
2. Chef Stephen can accommodate dietary restrictions so if you have any dietary requests, please make sure to include it when you create your booking.
3. Please note that the Meal Only experience includes a cooking class and brunch.
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
Appetizer: Blue corn cake with carnitas or braised chicken with an avocado salsa and pickled red onionsMain: Grilled flank steak with roasted peppers and onions served with a pineapple and chili riceDessert: FlanAlthough Chef Stephen went to school for audio engineering, food and cooking were a deep passion. He was inspired to become a chef almost three decades ago when his girlfriend Jennifer (and now wife) told him, "You are doing a great disservice to the world if you don't become a chef." He proceeded to get a degree in the culinary arts and has worked in fine dining restaurants for most of his career. Stephen and Jennifer moved to La Quinta to be closer to family where he now works as a personal chef. Chef Stephen enjoys imparting his culinary knowledge with people and is looking forward to sharing pro chef tricks and stories from being in the industry for several years.
"Chef Stephen did an amazing job teaching me 3 new things in the southwest cooking style.
I loved his menu and the flavors were exceptional!"
"Spectacular date night! Chef Stephen and his wife Jen were a delight. Chef’s knowledge and expertise were apparent and his ability to transcend that knowledge during the night ended up leaving my wife and I with tips to cook together on date nights. Chef was a wonderful host and the experience he and Jen provided was one of a kind. Definitely worth your time and would make for an amazing date night for any couple."
"Fantastic dinner experience! This in home culinary experience was above and beyond our expectations! The entire evening was wonderful, starting with scratch blood Orange margaritas to the 3-course southwest dinner prepared by Chef Mort. Every course was absolutely delicious. Chef is a pro, and I highly recommend this experience!"
"What a great evening with Stephen and his wife Jen! I decided to treat my husband to a fun experience for his birthday and this was such a memorable one. When we arrived there were delicious snacks waiting and Stephen made us a lovely cocktail while sharing his experience and background. Then we learned how to make these amazing lobster quesadillas. While those cooked, we worked on making our own tamales stuffed with a delicious mushroom filling. All the while, Jen his wife, is creating mocktails and sharing conversation in their gorgeous spacious kitchen. Once the tamales and rice were ready, the four of us sat down and enjoyed a fresh, flavorful feast! Finally we finished with a really lovely warm brownie sprinkled in cinnamon, sugar and tajine, and a scoop of vanilla. It was truly a lovely experience and I would highly recommend it. Also, recommend that Stephen consider a BRUNCH cooking class! I would imagine he’d concoct something absolutely delicious- his experience was long and his knowledge was so deep. Loved it!"
