Classes that cook

Ramekins in Sonoma, Relish Culinary Adventures in Healdsburg and the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena all attract visitors from across the country with a wide range of culinary classes. But nowadays, foodies can sate their culinary curiosity at many other venues, from retail shops and wineries to family farms and private homes.

Here are a few options to consider this spring as kitchens fill with sunlight and gardens sprout tender lettuces and asparagus.

Former Della Fattoria chef Kay Baumhefner puts her own stamp on the "Come Home to Cooking" classes held in her 1920s Petaluma cottage.

"My passion is to really help empower people in everyday and special occasion cooking," she said. "It's a very personalized experience."

Choose from the three-hour Short Courses on Wednesday afternoons, which delve deeply into one subject; or go for broke with a Main Course class, which lasts four hours on Wednesday mornings or Saturday afternoons and concludes with a feast.

Spring classes range from Hearty Spring Salads to Refreshing You Kitchen & Pantry. Cost ranges from $75-$95.

Address provided upon registration. 778-7143. comehometocooking.com.

For a taste of the growing agritourism movement, check out The Fork at Point Reyes Farmstead.

Held twice a month, its cooking classes start with a walking tour of the working dairy and a tasting of its award-winning cheeses, from the Point Reyes Original Blue to the semi-soft, Italian-style Toma.

"The point is to connect the dots between the farm and the flavors of the cheeses," said Jill Giacomini Basch, owner and chief marketing officer, who oversees The Fork.

Guest chefs from across the North Bay showcase the farmstead's four cheeses in multi-course menus during the demonstration classes.

"People are looking for a unique, farm-based educational experience," Basch said.

"They really want to dive into the local food movement and gain a deeper understanding of what it looks and tastes like."

Spring classes will be taught by Brian Streeter of Cakebread Cellars and Peggy Smith and Sue Conley of Cowgirl Creamery, among others. Cost ranges from $95 to $165 (for an all-day cheese-making workshop).

14700 Highway 1, Point Reyes. 800-591-6878. theforkatpointreyes.com.

The Healdsburg Shed brings in guest chefs to teach classes that focus on hip, food crafting skills such as beer- and cheese-making, butchery and sausages.

Upcoming classes, held upstairs in The Grange, include a late March workshop in koji (the live culture in Japanese foods) and dashi (Japanese seafood broth). Prices range from $20 to $85.

25 North St., Healdsburg. 431-7433. healdsburgshed.com.

When he's not serving as tour guide and chef for the ranch's private tours, Farm-to-table Educator Timothy Mosblech teaches the Kitchen Workshops series at Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead in St. Helena.

The monthly workshops are held on Sunday afternoons, and include a four-hour class and three-course dinner with wine pairings.

A two-hour version of the class is repeated on Monday evenings, with samples and wine.

"You learn a little bit of technique and put together a great meal," Mosblech said.

"What I like to do is go to the garden and pick some of the things ourselves."

In the winter, the classes are held in the Logan-Ives House, but as soon as it warms up, Mosblech heads outdoors to the grill.

Upcoming classes include homemade pasta in March and garden produce in April. Cost is $95 for Monday classes, $195 for Sunday classes.

738 Main St., St. Helena. longmeadowranch.com. 963-4555.

At the Savory Spice Shop in Santa Rosa, owners Pat Benfer and Cheryl Ytreeide host classes twice a month that help clients find simple ways to cook with global spices, from mole seasoning blends to Aleppo peppers and za'atar.

"These classes appeal to people who are interested in learning to eat differently," said teacher Jennifer Torrey, who circles the globe with her international food series.

"They are inquisitive about other cuisines."

Cost is $30 to $35, including recipes and tastings.

317 D St., Santa Rosa. 284-1310. savoryspiceshop.com.

(You can reach Staff Writer Diane Peterson at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com.)