Start your culinary experience with a vibrant stroll through the Pleasanton Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning. Smruti, your warm and knowledgeable host, will guide you through the bustling stalls just steps from her home. Together, you'll explore the seasonal bounty of California, hand-picking fresh produce, sampling local cheeses, and selecting ingredients that will inspire the meal to come. After the market, return to Smruti's kitchen to transform your finds into a delicious homemade meal during your private cooking class. This hands-on experience offers a true taste of the region’s flavors and a memorable glimpse into everyday local life.
Step into your host’s warm and inviting Pleasanton home, nestled in the East Bay just outside San Francisco, for a lively, hands-on cooking class that fuses the bold flavors of India with the freshness of California cuisine. Your experience begins with a welcome drink and light snack as you settle in, chat with your host, and go over the day’s menu.
Then, roll up your sleeves and dive into the kitchen to cook three mouthwatering dishes made with seasonal, wholesome ingredients. You’ll do more than just prep - get ready to mix marinades, layer spices, garnish like a chef, and learn practical techniques side-by-side with your host. The cooking session runs about 1.5 hours and is followed by a relaxed sit-down meal where you’ll enjoy your creations, served with a glass of local Californian wine.
Dietary restrictions? No problem, your host can adapt the menu for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan preferences. If you’d rather explore a more traditional South Indian menu instead of the California twist, just let her know when booking and she’ll customize your experience.
This intimate, home-based class is a fun and flavorful way to experience the Bay Area’s rich culinary diversity and take home new recipes, cooking skills, and delicious memories.
1. Your host has a small dog but he can be put away in a different room during your experience.
2. Smruti works during the day, so she is available to host evening experiences on weekdays and is free all day on weekends. She's flexible with timing, so feel free to request a different start time if needed.
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.
Seasonal salad with a homemade balsamic vinaigretteGrilled marinated chicken or fish kebabs with garlic vegetables served with saffron riceIndian rice pudding or double ka meetaA software engineer by day and passionate home cook by heart, your host finds joy in preparing healthy, authentic Californian and Indian inspired meals. What began as a necessity quickly blossomed into a lifelong passion. She now loves sharing her knowledge with others, teaching how to create nutritious, flavorful dishes that support a balanced and vibrant life.
