Course work

Besides what culinary schools are offering this fall, restaurants, kitchen stores, and even supermarkets are offering cooking classes on topics ranging from the yummy (cupcakes) to the sensible (healthy eating).

Local food bloggers are getting in on the action by passing their niche expertise on to students, at both regional venues and in-home events. Also of note is a new Rittenhouse spot called Cook, where students get to interact with their favorite chefs, while getting fed.  

Teaspoons & Petals is a blog that was founded by Alexis Siemons in 2008. She lives, breathes, drinks, cooks with, and writes about tea. You can find her talking about leaves at Cook on Oct. 29 and at IndyHall on North Third Street in January.

Or you can sip at home by hosting a private tea class for a small group. Classes can be customized, but guests can expect to learn proper tea-making technique (such as correct steeping times and water temperatures) and the differences between types of leaves, and can partake in a tea-tasting. Also, partygoers will learn how to cook a tea recipe, like a matcha green-tea salad or drool-worthy chai tea s'mores. Prices start at $375. Contact teaspoonsandpetals.com.

Marisa McClellan, better known as the crafty personality behind the blog Food in Jars, writes about canning. (Her first book, with the same name as her blog, comes out in the spring.) Her recipes range from jams (blueberry ginger) to tomato sauce, pickles, and salsa. She teaches at various locations around the region, but will also come to your home with empty cans, ingredients, and recipes in hand.

Groups of 6 or 7 can learn how to make the seasonal jam of their choice. McClellan walks students through the whole process, from prepping ingredients to heat-sealing the jars, for $350. More information: foodinjars.com or foodinjars@gmail.com.

Cheeseheads will flip over Madame Fromage, a blog run by Tenaya Darlington. You'll find her sharing her knowledge of curds and whey at places such as Tria Cafe. She'll also come to your home to consult on a cheese menu for a party, or actually be the life of the party by organizing a cheese-tasting.

She'll work with you to design a theme ("Cheese and Scotch" tasting, or maybe a "Cheeses of Paris" party?), bring her supplies, distribute tasting notes, and provide educated observations about all things cheesy. Prices start at $400. Browse madamefromage.blogspot.com, or e-mail tenayadarlington@gmail.com.