Chef-Instructor Shelley Handler
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Desired cooking skills
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Introduction
HELLO! [NOTE: ALL OF MY COOKING CLASSES ARE TAUGHT REMOTELY] Through the magic of Zoom, you and I will cook together in the familiar comfort of your own kitchen. As a cooking instructor with 30+ years of experience, I bring you the benefits of my time as Chef of Chez Panisse Cafe and nearly a decade of teaching at the California Culinary Academy.
My students have been very happy to bring my teaching into their kitchens via laptop, phone or tablet.
Teaching remotely lets me see your work up close, and my two-camera setup allows you to see me, my hands and my burners with ease. It also allows me to reach students well beyond San Francisco.
My culinary experience began 30+ years ago, and ranges from chef of the
Chez Panisse Cafe to nearly a decade of teaching aspiring chefs at the California Culinary Academy. For over 10+ years my teaching has been aimed at a wide range of non-professionals, from "I can't even" beginners, to home cooks with a good bit of skill at the stove.
Choosing from the techniques and cuisines that interest you most, you’ll learn to make tasty, from-scratch dishes, some simple enough to go from stove to table in 20 minutes or less.
Teaching privately, I take real delight in watching clients who have never cooked begin to feel at home in the kitchen. I enjoy working with the kitchen-shy, students who are anxious about getting it right and helping them loosen up at the stove. Working with me, you’ll learn to feel at ease around knives, flames and big hot pans. You’ll also learn timing, a bit of meal planning and what flavors combine well.
My 30+ years of teaching have focused on Italian, Mexican, Spanish and Middle Eastern cuisines as well as the lovely mix of these that find that find their way into our broad-ranging California style.
I am not, however, a baker or pastry chef. If you want to learn to make sourdough or wrangle a pie crust, there are other chefs here who excel at those. That said, if you're looking to make something as simple as cookies or brownies, let's talk!
Overview
Hired 9 times
Background checked
38 years in business
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via PayPal and Venmo.
Featured Projects
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Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, responsiveness, and professionalism.
Exceptional 5.0
7 reviews
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Read reviews that mention:
Erik O.
Aug 26, 2018
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
Shelley brought years of experience and fascinating stories from several corners of the world of food to our home for our private cooking lesson. She listened to our (fairly specific) needs and created delicious and inventive menu. She didn't rush things and spent the entire evening cooking with us.
Details: 2 people • Vegetarian / Vegan • Japanese • Mediterranean • Healthy • Knife skills • Soups and sauces • Roasting and braising • No dietary restrictions • Adult (over 18) • Advanced • $75 - $150 per person • Within the next 1 - 2 weeks • The cooking instructor travels to me
Private Cooking Lessons
Andreas S.
Oct 7, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
We had a wonderful time receiving cooking lessons from Shelley. She was super knowledgeable, friendly, prepared, responsive, and worked with us to make sure we got the most out of the experience. Thanks Shelley!
Private Cooking Lessons
George L.
Mar 10, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
Shelly and her assistant arrived at my home right around 1 P.M. as we agreed upon. She was teaching me how to cook a variety of dishes step by step. She loves to answer your questions. So, don't be shy ask her any question in relation to cooking. A fun, empowering, and lovely cooking coach. Highly recommend her to anyone who wants to learn something simple as cutting onions into little pieces.
Private Cooking Lessons
Ming L.
Jun 25, 2018
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
We hired Shelley for a lesson in making pasta and sauces from scratch because of her extensive experience in Italian cuisine. We were not disappointed! She showed us how to make the pasta dough, and how to make noodles and tortellini. She also taught us a yummy goat cheese-ricotta-chive stuffing for the tortellini and two sauces for the tortellini and fettucine!
Working with Shelley was a breeze -- after getting her quote and reaching out, we had a quick chat on the phone to explain what we were looking for, and she showed up at my apartment as scheduled later the same week, with everything we needed from ingredients to the pasta machine to even a bottle of wine. We definitely got our money's worth for this 4-hour lesson and would recommend Shelley to anyone looking to learn Italian cuisine!
Details: 2 people • Italian • Basic cooking skills • Soups and sauces • No dietary restrictions • Adult (over 18) • Beginner • $150 - $200 per person • Willing to work around teacher's schedule • I travel to the cooking instructor • The cooking instructor travels to me
Private Cooking Lessons
Karen J.
Jun 30, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
Hired on Thumbtack
Working with Shelley is big fun AND we learned a lot.
Not only did Shelley walk us through two recipes, a salad for our main meal and dessert, but she talked about the ingredients, how to find the freshest and how to handle them. She also offered tips on the flavoring of the ingredients used and the usage of the tools we used.
At the end of our session we had a delicious dinner for 4 with dessert! So good. We will be scheduling another Italian focused meal soon!
Details: 3 - 5 people • American • Soups and sauces • No dietary restrictions • Adult (over 18) • Intermediate • My home, venue, etc.
Chef-Instructor Shelley Handler's reply
Karen, I'm glad you and your friends enjoyed the class so much. I had an equally good time working with you, and talking about the ingredients and techniques we used. Your interest in olive oils gave me an opportunity to share information about the differences in both regional Italian and international olive oils. You were a great class, and I look forward to teaching you again.
Private Cooking Lessons
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Shelley Handler