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Cooking Class - Casual Japanese Fare
Cooking Class - Casual Japanese Fare
158 reviews
158 reviews This class does not have dates listed right now. Find similar experiences below:
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Can be used for any experience or cookware
What You’ll Do
Learn Japanese cooking techniques to create authentic dishes.
Allow your taste buds to wander the streets of Tokyo in this hands-on cooking class with Chef Melissa. You'll prepare a Japanese menu that captures the essence of Japanese izakaya, or casual, dishes.
Begin with a warming miso soup followed by oyakodon, a dish in which chicken, egg and onions are simmered into a flavorful "soup" and served over rice. Next up, you'll learn how to make pillows of spicy tuna onigiri — triangles of rice filled with tuna. On the side enjoy a refreshing cucumber salad with tangy vinegar dressing and salty bonito flakes.
Guests are welcome to bring wine and beer to enjoy during the class.
Your Menu
Miso Soup
With clams, wakame and tofu
Oyakodon
A chicken and egg rice bowl with onions
Spicy Tuna Onigiri
With nori, scallions and sushi rice
Japanese Cucumber Salad
With rice vinegar and bonito flakes
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if noted prior to the event. Please mention this in the message field when you submit your booking request as adjustments to recipes cannot be made during class.
Details
- Minimum Guests 2
- Maximum Guests 5
- Meal Courses 4
- Event Duration 2.5 hours
- Labels Asian, Beginner, Date Night, Japanese, Sushi Making
Meet your chef
Chef Melissa uses cooking to bring food enthusiasts together, and to celebrate cultures and curiosities. After spending her youth in her home country of Taiwan, she worked as a food writer and spent dozens of years in Boston honing her craft alongside renowned chefs. Part story-teller, part educator, and part food and wine lover, Chef Melissa blends her Asian roots, her world travels and her love of food and culture to bring joy and inspiration to people everywhere.
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Cancellation Policy
Flexible booking: Cancel or reschedule this event's reservation for free up to 48 hours before the event.
This experience is not refundable as it includes a meal kit.
Event location:
What You’ll Do
Learn Japanese cooking techniques to create authentic dishes.
Allow your taste buds to wander the streets of Tokyo in this hands-on cooking class with Chef Melissa. You'll prepare a Japanese menu that captures the essence of Japanese izakaya, or casual, dishes.
Begin with a warming miso soup followed by oyakodon, a dish in which chicken, egg and onions are simmered into a flavorful "soup" and served over rice. Next up, you'll learn how to make pillows of spicy tuna onigiri — triangles of rice filled with tuna. On the side enjoy a refreshing cucumber salad with tangy vinegar dressing and salty bonito flakes.
Guests are welcome to bring wine and beer to enjoy during the class.
Your Menu
Miso Soup
With clams, wakame and tofu
Oyakodon
A chicken and egg rice bowl with onions
Spicy Tuna Onigiri
With nori, scallions and sushi rice
Japanese Cucumber Salad
With rice vinegar and bonito flakes
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if noted prior to the event. Please mention this in the message field when you submit your booking request as adjustments to recipes cannot be made during class.
Details
- Minimum Guests 2
- Maximum Guests 5
- Meal Courses 4
- Event Duration 2.5 hours
- Labels Asian, Beginner, Date Night, Japanese, Sushi Making
Reviews
Reviews guests left for this experience
lisa
19 Jul 2022
A wonderful class, great food. These dishes will become regulars on our weeknight menu.
Reviews guests left for other experiences with Chef Melissa
Anthony
27 Sep 2025
Chef Melissa is very friendly and welcoming. Her class taught the very basics of dumpling and wonton folding.
Positives: well-prepared. Delicious food. Clean environment. She provides recipes and instructions on whatever food you want from the menu.
Opportunities for improvement: I would have liked a bit more details on the specific cooking procedures. How to fry, what oil is used, how long? Small tips on when dumplings are finished. Chef certainly answers those questions if you ask, but you really need to ask the questions you want to know if you want to know exactly how to make things from start to finish.
Kasey
22 Sep 2025
We had a fantastic time. Chef Melissa was entertaining and kind and taught us a lot. The food was phenomenal! Couldn’t recommend her highly enough.
Elena
02 Sep 2025
The class was fun and relaxed. Chef Melissa is knowledgeable and has a great personality too! My husband and I had never taken a cooking class before and weren’t sure what to expect, but enjoyed this experience. The chef put us at ease right away. It was interactive and hands on. We got to be as creative as we wanted to. Also played zone fun games at the end. Great unique date night idea.
Samuel
11 Aug 2025
We had an absolutely amazing time with Chef Melissa. Not only is she a great chef and instructor, but she also has amazing energy. Throughout the course of the evening, we enjoyed some delicious Japanese food, had some great conversation, and played some of Chef Melissa's homegrown challenges. We'd attend another one of Chef Melissa's cooking classes in a heartbeat!
Sean
10 May 2025
Gianluca
21 Feb 2025
Amazing experience! Chef Melissa was very funny, hospitable, knowledgeable, and made our class personalized and special! Would recommend to anybody looking for a fun new culinary experience!
Kenneth
31 Jan 2025
Chef Melissa provided such a wonderful evening for my wife and I, full of fun, laughs, learning, stories, everything! She is an incredibly thoughtful and patient teacher, and my wife and I will definitely be back for more classes with her!
Miles
23 Jan 2025
My partner and I did this class as an anniversary celebration and it was perfect! The food we cooked was delicious and Melissa was an incredible host. We had a great time and shared lots of laughs and great conversation. I would recommend this class to anyone interested in Japanese food
Rae
23 Jan 2025
Melissa was wonderful!! If we could give her 10 stars, we would! It was a fantastic experience that she made it feel special. The dish was delicious and we can't wait to try and make it again. Would highly recommend!
Daniel
14 Dec 2024
We had a wonderful time taking the Korean Seoul Food class with Chef Melissa. Not only did we prepare a delicious meal and come home with several new recipes, but we also enjoyed an evening of conversation and learning. Chef Melissa is welcoming, funny, and knowledgeable - the time just flew by.
William
13 Dec 2024
It's not just the food. (Delicious!) It's not just the preparation. (Educational!) It's about two hours FLYING BY with a warm, witty, engaging chef/teacher/hostess who shares so much of her personality, experiences, and knowledge. Would highly recommend Chef Melissa for groups large and small. I know we'll be back!
Jessica
02 Dec 2024
Melissa was lovely and me and my boyfriend had a great time celebrating his birthday at this class! She is very knowledgeable but helps make cooking approachable and not intimidating.
Patricia
27 Oct 2024
Chef Melissa is a wonderful teacher and chef! My son (16) and I had a blast making the wontons and dumplings and talking with Chef Melissa! They were delicious! We can't wait to try to make them for ourselves and our friends and family. We recommend this course to anyone who likes dumplings!!
Patty
Clinton
19 Oct 2024
We had a wonderful time cooking, talking and of course eating with Chef Melissa. This was such a fun experience and Chef Melissa is such a wonderful host and chef. Everything for meal was well planned and Chef was filled with jokes, energy, and some wonderful stories. She made our experience great! This was my wife and my first time cooking with Melissa and cozy meal and I don’t regret the experience at all. I’m excited to try to cook this meal on my own. Thank you so much Chef Melissa for a fun interactive time.
Beth
13 Oct 2024
Chef Melissa was awesome!!! Our group truly enjoyed this incredible night. Her pacing and awareness of skill level made the class-we all learned a lot from her. The recipes she chose were perfect and were very delicious! Her sense of humor was wonderful and made a truly memorable one for all.
Peter
14 Sep 2024
Wonderful experience with Chef Melissa this evening. I loved the lesson and enjoyed meeting the others in the class. Now I can’t wait to make sushi at home!
James
14 Sep 2024
An amazing evening with Chef Melissa, fun, casual, entertaining, educational and sushi making is now so approachable.. Loved it, will do it again and makes for a memorable gift for anyone ❤️
Mia
08 Aug 2024
Melissa was fantastic to work with; she has a beautiful setup, and is a very warm and friendly person. We had a fantastic time cooking - we were happy with what we made, and the experience was improved by her warmth and professionalism. 10/10 would reccomend!
Casey
20 Jul 2024
This was one of the best experiences my boyfriend and I have had. While the food and hospitals was top notch the icing on the carrot cake was even better. My boyfriend cut his finger mid class and Chef Melissa was so attentive and gave him wonderful first aid including a little goody bag. Thank you so much for the amazing conversation, laughs and wonderful food. I would highly recommend this class and Chef Melissa.
Audrea
08 Jul 2024
Chef Melissa is such a wonderful host - her sense of humor and knowledge of cooking made this class a really fun experience! Highly recommend taking one of her courses!!
Ryan
30 Jun 2024
Learning from Chef Melissa was such a great experience. She is a wonderful host and has a great sense of humor. The food we made surpassed my expectations. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to expand their cooking knowledge and have a great time in the process.
Patricia
28 Jun 2024
This was a great class, and well exceeded my expectations! Chef Melissa set us at ease but also challenged us. She started by introducing herself and getting to know us a bit, which made me feel less intimidated about what would happen next. Then she led us through a number of different styles of wonton and dumpling formation, explaining each one clearly and encouraging us as we practiced doing them. So fun! Chef Melissa is an expert in what she does, but she knows how to present information and technique accessibly. The class was well thought out and organized, with different activities to keep the multi-hour class consistently engaging. But Chef Melissa also brought a lot of heart and warmth to the class, making it a nice bonding experience. I wondered how cooking in her home kitchen would be, but the space was clean, ordered and welcoming. I’m already looking forward to taking more classes with Chef Melissa!
Lauren
08 Jun 2024
Chef Melissa was amazing in every way! My fiancé and I did the class together and it was super relaxing and fun. She was an excellent teacher, but also super fun to chat with - and she kept making us laugh the entire time with her funny jokes. We are already talking about the next class we want to book with her - it was such a fun experience!!
Evan
30 May 2024
Fun experience! Chef Melissa was so welcoming and friendly. We had a range of skill with cooking in our group, from novice to experienced, and everyone was able to participate and feel useful. The food was delicious.
Whitney
19 May 2024
Chef Melissa is amazing! If I could give her 10 stars, I would. She was a great host and made our ladies night so much more than just a cooking class.
Chef Melissa welcomed us into her home, which is spotless by the way. She shared her story and took the time to learn about each of us. When we moved over to the kitchen, she taught us so many dumpling folding techniques. We had a blast trying different shapes and laughed throughout the whole process. And the food was delicious!! The wonton soup was perfect and chef Melissa even shared some of her special ingredients to spice it up. We made pan fried and steam pot stickers that were out of this world. I was so proud of the meal she helped us prepare!
If you are looking for a unique and special night out you need to take a class with chef Melissa - you won’t be disappointed. I know that we will absolutely be taking another class with her! Thank you chef!
JOSEPH
13 May 2024
We were entertained, well fed, and we learned how to make a variety of different dumplings. A very good time and well worth the money.
Anne
09 May 2024
We had a terrific time with Chef Melissa this evening! She is so personable and fun. The meal we prepared was delicious - Pan Asian cuisine. She was prepared and efficient, and very professional. She explained everything we were trying to accomplish and made the prep work easy. Highly recommend any of her classes; a great cultural experience!
Neal
05 Apr 2024
It was a delightful evening - Melissa was a gracious and authentic host, making the night fun…and the dumplings were absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.
Jeffrey
04 Apr 2024
Melissa creates an amazing experience by sharing her love of food and a genuine desire to create real bonds with people. I highly recommend a cooking night with her, great food and great company!
Timothy
31 Mar 2024
Melissa was very welcoming and informative. She makes sushi making look easy and gave many great insights on how to do it at home. The class was filled with laughter and good food. I highly recommend.
Stephen
21 Mar 2024
Such an amazing evening! Wonderful food and conversation. Chef Melissa is incredibly welcoming and a great teacher.
Kristin
17 Mar 2024
Chef Melissa’s class was the perfect balance of fun and educating! We learned how to craft different styles of dumplings and wontons while having some great conversation!
Gwen
16 Mar 2024
We loved our cooking class with Chef Melissa! Her bright energy, passion for educating and story-telling, and delicious recipes made for a beautiful night. It was lovely experience- we would absolutely book with Chef Melissa again!
Steven
10 Mar 2024
Absolutely amazing class! We came in expecting your average run of the mill cooking class but Melissa made it into such an educational and special experience! Any class with her is guaranteed to teach you a lot about food and culture and have you laughing and smiling the whole time.
Rachel
11 Feb 2024
Cooking with Chef Melissa was so fun! We did a private event with my two adult children and their friends as a family Christmas present. Chef Melissa was good at explaining how to do things…I actually was able to fold good looking potstickers! But even better was her personality, she is a lovely caring person and made the entire night enjoyable.
Brian
29 Jan 2024
Great memories made taking Chef Melissa's Pan-Asian class. The setting was very comfortable and lots of fun. Chef Melissa is a wonderful person with a passion for cooking and a joy to be around. I would highly recommend any class offered by Chef Melissa.
Katherine
28 Jan 2024
Melissa is extremely talented and knowledgeable about her craft. Her passion shines through in the intimate setting at her home. She welcomed us with open arms and shared her inspiring story about her life and journey as a chef. It was inspiring and fun to share stories before diving into the hands on lesson. I’m not a cook and was intimidated upon arriving but she made it all easy and fun. We met another awesome couple and shared a lot of laughs. We will do this again.
Kim
22 Jan 2024
Melissa is a very engaging and interesting host. She also was very organized and we each had our own tasks. She integrated some knife skills and information about the ingredients and how to prepare them. The food was incredible but was surprisingly simple to prepare.
Austin
14 Jan 2024
We had a fun class with Chef Melissa! The food was great and we learned a lot!
Judith
10 Dec 2023
Chef Melissa was wonderful and we had a fabulous time. She made everything fun and easy and made us feel very special. She was a pleasure to work with and brought such joy and enthusiasm to the class that every minute felt like a party. Simply the best!
Michael
22 Oct 2023
Melissa provides an amazing, unique, super fun experience. She makes you feel so comfortable and at home right when you walk in her door. She has an incredibly impressive background and so much knowledge to share — and she makes the evening so fun, informal, and informative. The food was delicious, and Melissa’s energy and enthusiasm was even better. Can’t recommend this experience enough!!
Luna
01 Oct 2023
Chef Melissa is amazing! She creates unforgettable experiences full of care. The moment I stepped into her home I felt welcomed and excited to learn from such an experienced woman with great taste. She is not only a talented cook and a clear communicator, but also so much sweet and funny and fun. Her joy and attention to detail when preparing food is infectious.
Viengvilay
24 Sep 2023
Chef Melissa and this class was wonderful! She was so open and welcoming that we immediately felt comfortable in her home. Not to mention the food was delicious! Definitely recommending taking a class with Chef Melissa to everyone we know!
Stefanie
15 Sep 2023
This was an absolutely amazing experience! Chef Melissa is not only a phenomenal chef with an insane amount of experience but she is also wonderfully kind. Luckily for us, the other couple was a no show so we had a one on one lesson. She was so patient, encouraging and hilarious. Prior to the class she checked in and I have a ton of dietary restrictions. She was able to accommodate those and I'm so glad she did! I love that she grows her own herbs. She had us play some fun games and taught us a ton of useful skills. She also makes you feel at ease and her zest and positivity for life in general was contagious. We left incredibly full, with left overs and ear to ear grins. We will absolutely be back for other classes, buy classes with her as gifts and happily refer her to anyone we meet! Thank you for an amazing going away/birthday dinner for Bryan. We can't wait to learn more dishes with you in the future!
Calvin
11 Sep 2023
Chef Melissa was FANTASTIC! She went above and beyond to ensure that my girlfriend and I had a great time. She is very funny and personable. She gave clear instructions on how to make the sushi so it was easy to do. We had a great time and would definitely take another class from her. She had a nice cozy apartment and the spice game at the end was a nice way to end the class! 5/5 highly recommend!!
Matthew
09 Aug 2023
Melissa's sushi class was an absolute gem of an experience! From her warm and approachable demeanor to her invaluable guidance, she patiently shared her expertise and equipped us with the essential skills to confidently make sushi at home. Melissa's use of fresh herbs straight from her own garden. This personal touch not only added an extra layer of freshness to our creations but also showcased her dedication to providing a unique and enriching culinary experience. If you're seeking a remarkable introduction to the world of sushi-making, I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa's class.
Connor
04 Aug 2023
Chef Melissa was a fantastic teacher and explained each dish and ingredient thoroughly. She provides great company and excellent conversations. There is no one I would recommend more than her!
Joe
02 Aug 2023
A warm welcome, an absolutely delicious meal, cooking organized like a science (she had 3 of us in the kitchen and it didn't feel crowded), perfect music, and a game besides!
And it's gotta be said: Chef Melissa is extraordinarily funny, aside from everything else.
Andy
01 Aug 2023
What a wonderful experience! Melissa makes everyone feel so welcome and special. Her expertise is unquestioned, but the experience was perfectly choreographed. I highly recommend her!
Shelby
25 Jul 2023
Our experience with Chef Melissa is a joy we will forever treasure. She is funny, personable, and a great instructor. We appreciate her welcoming us into her space and providing us with an unparalleled cooking experience. Our time together with the other couple was filled with joy, fun, and a love for learning. I surprised my boyfriend with this class because he loves cooking and is a major foodie. This was such a wonderful gift to him and myself as well! It brought us closer together in a super fun way. The meal came out super delicious and there was plenty left over to take home. Chef Melissa is clearly well versed in her craft as well as a wide variety of other cuisines. She gave us insight in the meal we were preparing and inquired on what foods we liked to cook in our everyday lives to provide us with helpful hints how to edify our meals. We will certainly be booking with her again. Well worth the investment in self and my relationship! I encourage anyone with the slightest curiosity to move forward and take this class! It is a one of a kind experience for sure.
Latoya
24 Jul 2023
The class was amazing, Chef Melissa was very informative, patient and funny, we were there with another couple which made the experience even better. The food was amazing! I would definitely recommend to friends and family and would return for another cooking class. Oh her home was beautiful and clean.
Ryan
12 Jul 2023
Excellent teaching method. She is delightful, highly skilled, went above and beyond to make the class fun while teaching amazing cooking techniques. I will go back for more lessons. Best experience I have had while in Boston.
Vanessa
04 Jul 2023
My family and I had an amazing time cooking with Melissa! She was so welcoming, funny and informative. I would recommend this to anyone, and plan to attend more in the future! Thank you so much Melissa!
Hannah
30 Jun 2023
Chef Melissa was an absolute delight! She was so kind and a wonderful teacher. The food was delicious and she made it easy and fun to learn. I would absolutely take a class with her again she was just amazing!
Larry
26 Jun 2023
Amazing evening! We were delighted by Chef Melissa’s friendliness and well designed class. We enjoyed the company of our classmates and the food we created was beautiful and delicious.
Raymond
24 Jun 2023
I took the dumpling class with my girlfriend and we had an amazing experience. Chef Melissa is a great host and we even used some of the fresh ingredients she grew. Chef Melissa guided us step by step through the process of making dumplings and we thought everything was delicious. We also had extra dumplings to bring home :). I would highly recommend others to take her classes.
Eric
12 Jun 2023
Chef Melissa is great teacher and her class was incredibly fun. Her home is very relaxing and we felt right at home learning how to make sushi. We would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in learning how to make sushi.
Alexandra
11 Jun 2023
Chef Melissa created the best learning experience for us! She made learning how to cook a new meal interesting, educational, and very fun. The food itself was delicious and I’m excited to take our new knowledge back to our kitchen. I would HIGHLY recommend booking with Chef Melissa if you want a cooking experience to remember ☺️ already thinking about coming back!
Anjana
10 Jun 2023
Melissa gave us an absolutely amazing experience! She was fun, high energy, and very knowledgeable. She did a great job introducing us to all of the ingredients, and the ramen and okonomiyaki dishes were delicious. She was even kind enough to modify the menu to be vegetarian friendly.
She put a lot of thought and energy into the evening and it shows.
I’d highly recommend spending an evening with Melissa if you get the chance!
Jenna
01 Jun 2023
Had an amazing time learning about cooking techniques and Japanese culture. Definitely recommend Chef Melissa for an educational yet fun and yummy cooking class!
Elizabeth
27 May 2023
Chef Melissa's class is fun and engaging. She makes sushi-making approachable. 5 stars!
hansi
25 May 2023
She was a wonderful chef and host! I will be taking more cooking classes with her in the future! I definitely would recommend her to anyone of my family & friends.
Amie
23 May 2023
This was such an amazing experience and the food was delicious. I was nervous and intimidated at first and Chef Melissa made everything so easy to learn. I have already made the pot stickers again!
Stephanie
22 May 2023
Chef Melissa was so warm and welcoming to her home, as soon as we walked through we knew it would be a fun and seamless time! She was funny, accommodating, and the food was so delicious. We will definitely be back for another class!
Ezra
22 May 2023
Chef Melissa was a joy! Chef Melissa seemed to genuinely enjoy teaching and cooking with the class. Got to try interesting, new techniques and ate some delicious food!
Lori
01 May 2023
Chef Melissa was a wonderful host! She guided us through the prep and execution of a delicious menu, imparting great culinary tips and background info along the way. We four were engaged and entertained for the entire session. Melissa set a gorgeous table for our feast (and feast we did). She was prepared, organized, and quite funny—the consummate chef/host. What a lovely way to spend a stormy afternoon. I highly recommend this class! You’ll leave content, sated and with a greater knowledge of Asian cuisine no matter your skill level. Chef Melissa is lovely!
Lori Barish
Sam
18 Apr 2023
Had a great time making Japanese food with chef Melissa and the other people signed up for the class that day. Well worth the cost of the class.
Casey
15 Apr 2023
Melissa’s dumpling class exceeded our expectations! We had such a great time, the food was delicious, and Melissa is so sweet. The class was set up perfectly. We appreciated all the cooking tips, the fresh organic ingredients, and Melissa’s insight into the food and culture surrounding the food. Also, the class was BYOB and prior to the class Melissa went out of her way to give us some thoughtful recommendations. We went with her favorite Japanese beer which was so delicious I will continue to buy it. We left feeling like we could replicate our own dumplings at home and are excited to do so. She is a great chef, teacher, and person. And a plus - we got to take extra dumplings home which we devoured immediately! Thank you to Chef Melissa.
Steve
09 Apr 2023
Very fun, very delicious, very open to two beginners with not many cooking skills. Learned a lot and had a great time, plus had plenty of leftovers too!
Ruth Hayes
28 Mar 2023
Entertaining, educational and fun! We enjoyed our experience with Chef Melissa. Thank you!
Rachel
26 Mar 2023
Chef Melissa was so wonderful. We had such an amazing time at her Japanese Comfort Foods cooking class. Chef Melissa was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a ton of great cooking tips. It was such a fun experience to get to learn so many new things about Japanese cooking. We would highly recommend this class to anyone. Thank you for welcoming us Chef Melissa!
Paul
26 Mar 2023
We had an absolutely fantastic time with Chef Melissa! Her enthusiasm for cooking is contagious and her teaching style is easy to follow. The ingredients for all three types of dumplings are readily available, but the results delicious! I highly recommend her class for anyone interested in learning how to make their favorite dumpling dish. —Team "Potsticker Perfection" (Paul & Ruth)
Deirdre
25 Mar 2023
This is one of the best cooking classes I have had. Chef Melissa was personable and welcomed us into her home. The class was entertaining and informative. I am a more experienced home cook and my partner is a cooking beginner and both of us enjoyed the class. She has a talent for teaching to different levels. We would sign up for another one of her classes in a heartbeat.
Eric
20 Mar 2023
Great experience and learned so many new techniques and skills to take home!
Kellianne
20 Mar 2023
Amazing!
Jenni
19 Mar 2023
Very fun!
Brianna
12 Mar 2023
Chef Melissa is wonderful and funny. I enjoyed learning about Korean food and culture from her. The food was delicious! Highly recommend any class with her.
Sarah
11 Mar 2023
Fun night in! The host Melissa was welcoming and engaging and made the experience a lot of fun. We enjoyed a variety of flavors and variety of ways to make sushi. We should have brought some to-go containers.. the host was gracious to offer some. Fun experience for friends, solo learners or couples.
Jared
10 Mar 2023
I gifted this class to my brother for his birthday!! He had the best time and chef melissa was so accommodating and responsive. I’d recommend this to anyone!!
gabriel
04 Mar 2023
Chef Melissa really made us feel at home! She was very knowledgeable and helped us out a lot.
Shane Messer
28 Feb 2023
What can you saw about chef Melissa except wow! We loved our with her. We had a blast and came away with a ton of confidence about making sushi! Would 100000% recommend!
karen
26 Feb 2023
Chef Melissa was amazing. She made it a very fun and hands on experience for everyone, and made everyone feel super comfortable. When she knew I had a gluten allergy she went above and beyond to be accommodating. We learned so much and had a great time, I would highly recommend taking a class with her.
Camille
24 Feb 2023
Loved this class! My boyfriend and I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot! Everything was so tasty and Chef Melissa made it so approachable. Can't wait to try it at home!
Andy Brereton
20 Feb 2023
The class was great and Chef Melissa struck the perfect balance between fun and learning. The experience was well worth it and I'm looking forward to trying some of the techniques that I learned and enjoying some homemade dumplings.
Jack
19 Feb 2023
A very laid back, fun cooking experience. No previous experience required and the result was some incredibly delicious food.
Shannon
11 Feb 2023
A very special and memorable experience! We had so much fun with Chef Melissa, who has a great sense of humor and is so friendly, fun, and makes you feel so comfortable! We will definitely be back and we are so happy we booked this class! The food was absolutely amazing!!
Wallace
11 Feb 2023
Melissa was a fantastic host, thank you!
Steven
11 Feb 2023
A warm, fun and educational experience. Chef Melissa makes this class really special.
TIFFANY
06 Feb 2023
Melissa was a great host, and we had a delightful time. She was energetic and engaging during the whole class. Would definitely do it again!
Paulin
06 Feb 2023
We had an amazing evening with Chef Melissa. The food was incredible, and she had us laughing all night with her bubbly and inviting personality. We learned so much about the dishes we cooked and are taking some really helpful tips and tricks back to our kitchen.
Addison
30 Jan 2023
We had a wonderful experience with Melissa. She was warm, friendly, and a great host and teacher. I would recommend to anyone hoping to learn more about Japanese cuisine.
Katrina
28 Jan 2023
Chef Melissa was so knowledgeable and kind! Great teacher and wonderful host! We loved it!
Michael
28 Jan 2023
I bought this experience with Chef Melissa for my sister as a Christmas gift, and let’s just say Chef Melissa made me look like an awesome brother. She was such a pleasure to cook with, and on top of the every item we cooked was amazing. Thank you Chef Melissa!
david
24 Jan 2023
Chef Melissa is fantastic. Extremely friendly, inviting, knowledgeable, and encouraging. She made our experience better then I could have imagined. She is very dedicated to her craft, in all ways encompasses what a chef should be. We will definitely return. thank Melissa!!
Kerry
23 Jan 2023
We loved our class with Chef Melissa! She was so warm, welcoming and knowledgeable!
Kristin
22 Jan 2023
We had such a great time cooking with Chef Melissa! She was so welcoming into her home and made the whole experience fun. It was really nice learning some new techniques, making delicious dishes to enjoy, and socializing with her and the other guests. We'd absolutely love to cook with her again.
Andrew
21 Jan 2023
Such a great class from a wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable chef. She was so welcoming and warm and our evening was filled with laughter and delicious food. The recipes were fantastic and we’re looking forward to making them again at home. I’d highly recommend any class taught by chef Melissa. Don’t miss out!
Jack
21 Jan 2023
I got this cooking class as a gift for my sister and her boyfriend. They absolutely loved it and asked me to keep an eye out for any other classes Chef Melissa is teaching! The recipes were delicious and Chef Melissa was extremely helpful in learning how to make dumplings!
Akeido
20 Jan 2023
Great time! The food was amazing, the history behind the dishes was very educational and Chef Melissa had us laughing all night. Would highly recommend.
Max
16 Jan 2023
Chef Melissa is the best! We had so much fun learning (and drinking) and the food was delicious. Highly recommend if you like laughing and good food (I know, tough sell).
Bri
15 Jan 2023
Our time with Chef Melissa was filled with copious amounts of laughter and delicious food. She took the time to share about all the ingredients and dishes that we were making. She made recipes approachable and her love for cooking and hospitality was evident. We also had some food allergies and she thoughtful with accommodating recipes for us. She supplied us with helpful recipes and grocery shopping tips after. The other couples in our group were also lovely.
Tatum
13 Jan 2023
my boyfriend and I had an amazing experience! We loved every second! Chef Melissa was so welcoming, funny, and knowledgeable. We made some incredible sushi and had an ever more wonderful experience. please do one of her classes I could not recommend it more!
Jordan
02 Jan 2023
Chef Melissa was so great! My girlfriend and I had an amazing time. She was very accommodating to all allergies and was able to offer a ton of great options. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable, would book another class with her anytime!
Brianne
31 Dec 2022
Chef Melissa was excellent! She was very talented, friendly, and excited to share her knowledge with everyone. She welcomed us into her home and made us feel comfortable right away. She made sure we all understood the key techniques and how to make everything, and also provided us with the recipes so we can make these dishes at home. Great experience overall and would highly recommend!
Vivian
29 Dec 2022
We had a great time cooking with Chef Melissa. This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and we would certainly do this again.
Jane
23 Dec 2022
Melissa welcomed us into her home and brought us through a really fun lighthearted culinary experience. It was my mothers 60th birthday and she really made every effort to make the evening the best celebration possible. We began with great knife skill lessons and got to test our knowledge on avocado, cucumber, mushrooms & fish. We learned where to purchase all the ingredients we weren't familiar with as well which was great. The tofu bags were so simple and delicious I will absolutely be making those on my own. We focused on hand rolls/sushi/maki variations the rest of the evening which really filled us up! We were stuffed before the class was even over. She texted us beforehand and suggested bringing to-go containers which was so smart! The ingredients were all so fresh and the top quality was so apparent. Melissa had everything laid out and prepared before out arrival and provided a PDF after the class explaining everything we had talked about and all the ingredients we went over. She had an in-house greenery grower and even packed me up a goodie bag of fresh clipped greens! It was truly a 5 star personal chef evening. I couldn't have asked for a better chef to make my mothers birthday a night we will never forget. Thank you!!
Sofia
11 Dec 2022
Incredible experience with Chef Melissa! The food was great and we had so much fun.
Amrita
11 Dec 2022
What an awesome experience! I learned so much and had a blast. Chef Melissa was extremely friendly and was so much fun to cook with. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking for a fun and informative evening.
Leah
04 Dec 2022
Melissa was very knowledgeable and super friendly - we enjoyed our evening very much and feel confident that we can make dumplings on our own now!
Jeremy
13 Nov 2022
Thanks for welcoming us into your home and sharing all the cool gadgets. We enjoyed learning the folding techniques for wantons and potstickers.
Vy
28 Oct 2022
Melissa is an amazing host! We felt so welcomed in her kitchen and learnt so many useful tips. We enjoyed cooking with her!!
Maya
13 Oct 2022
This was an amazing experience. I got it for my brother for his birthday and he said it was the best gift he's ever been given. Chef Melissa was so fun, as well as precise, and I learned so much about the dishes and left with a full stomach :)
Jasmin
18 Sep 2022
Chef Melissa was amazing! So personable and down to earth! My wife And I had a remarkable and memorable experience. We learned so much and are so excited to put our learnings to the test and make the worlds best dumplings due to chef Melissa’s guidance. This was a very cozy meal and she made us feel like family! Looking forward to supporting Chef Melissa’s cooking beautifullee journey!
Ginny
09 Sep 2022
As someone who loves to cook, I really wanted to learn more about Asian Cuisine and Chef Melissa was the perfect teacher! It was so much fun and we learned so many techniques. The dumplings were better than I have had in any restaurant EVER ! It was so wonderful learning about the different ingredients and where we can get them. Chef Melissa is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. I highly recommend this experience and will plan on attending some of her pop up events in the future. Great gift idea!
Samantha
03 Sep 2022
Our class with Melissa was fantastic! She was hands on and hospitable. The food came out amazing and we will definitely take the recipes/ideas/techniques into our kitchen going forward. We would recommend her to anyone!
Mohnish
11 Aug 2022
Loved the cooking class. Chef Melissa was super fun and gave lot of great tips. The food was of course delicious.
Liliana
27 Jul 2022
Chef Melissa provided us a thoughtful, generous, and delicious event.
We were welcomed into a lovely setting featuring beautiful ikebana floral arrangements created by her. Chef Melissa shared some of her expertise through guided instruction and interesting explanations, with plenty of laughter along the way. Also a sommelier, she told us about sake as we enjoyed sipping what we had brought. The food was amazing - lovely presentation, delicious.
One of the treats of the evening was picking fresh herbs, greens and flowers from Chef Melissa's hydroponic stand and incorporating them into the designs and flavors of the dishes we created together.
We had a wonderful time together guided by her expert-fully presented activities. Ultimately, we experienced Japanese comfort food in its glorious, vegetarian wholesomeness ?
Our tastebuds are still dancing and will be jazzed up for time to come. Our imagination is fueled with enthusiasm to try our own interpretations of what chef Melissa taught us.
Marie
27 Jul 2022
She’s the best! Highly recommend her!
Hilmar Lehnert
25 Jul 2022
Just awesome.
Hilmar Lehnert
25 Jul 2022
What a fantastic evening! We had so much fun. We learned a lot , from the right way to hold the knife, to chopping all the way to make a good balanced dish. The Chef shared the secrets of Umami!! We laughed, we cooked and we ate more we should have. The atmosphere was highly professional, but comfortable for every skill level. The table was set with beautiful flower arrangements
Lisa
11 Jun 2022
We had a wonderful experience with Chef Melissa!! She was so patient, understanding, and a great instructor, even when I made a mistake!! This was our first time taking a cooking class and she definitely set the standard high! Chef Melissa even made our night more special by taking the time to get an extra dessert to celebrate my husband's birthday! Definitely A++
Jenny
02 Jun 2022
Chef Melissa was an incredible instructor! My partner and I were given gifted this experience and it was top tier: the recipes Chef Melissa created were all wonderful, accessible for beginners, wonderfully tasty, and she was always available to help us truly learn the recipes rather than just providing instructions. She made the class fun with her open herb farm, preparation of all the ingredients, and was generously willing to improvising for any food restrictions. We are hoping to book another class soon; we truly felt like we connected with her and the other attendees!!
Robert
29 May 2022
We had a great time taking this class. Melissa is a great teacher and an excellent chef. We learned so much about the art of making dumplings and can recommend this class to everyone who is interested in learning how to make them. Melissa will make sure you will feel at home immediately.
Thomas
21 May 2022
Cooking with chef Lee was so enjoyable! The ambience was great and her personality was outstanding! She was able to show us different flavors of herbs, how to chop herbs, and the different types of knives and equipment used in the kitchen. Was a very good experience and felt right at home. She is an amazing chef! Thank you for your class, chef Lee!!!
Alexandra
21 May 2022
Chef Melissa was so fun to have this class with. She does a great job making the experience very interactive and educational while keeping it light and enjoyable. The food was great and we can’t wait to use the skills we learned to start making sushi at home. This made a great gift for my husband who kept saying how much fun he had!
Andre
20 May 2022
We had an absolute blast with Chef Melissa! We left with full bellies and full spirits. The whole experience was extremely informative and accessible, and we left feeling confident we could try making dumplings on our own!
florent
15 May 2022
We had a lovely evening with Chef Melissa and the other guests, food was amazing and ambiance was great, we are already looking at her other classes ! Thanks a lot for the class.
Brianna
07 May 2022
We had such a great time with Chef Melissa! We learned so much about sushi and all of the recipes she showed us are possible to do at home as well. Can't wait to cook sushi on our own!
Suzanne
21 Apr 2022
Melissa was fantastic. She has an impressive resume and is a great instructor. You can tell she is passionate about cooking and bringing people together to make memorable experiences. This was gift to my mother-in-law from her daughter and (2) daughter-in-laws. She adored the experience as did we. Melissa went that extra step and lit a candle, sang happy b-day, and even gave her a cool gift. The food exceeded my expectations and the best part is I now have the knowledge and skills to whip up those amazing dumplings and a pot of wonton soup.
Sheri
09 Apr 2022
Great class! Chef Melissa was so much fun and personable. I was initially nervous as I attended the class alone, but I was immediately at ease when I met Chef Melissa!
Kim
08 Apr 2022
Chef Melissa was so friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. We had a wonderfully delicious time!!!
Melissa
26 Mar 2022
Chef Melissa has such great energy and we loved her passion for food and teaching. She was very accommodating towards dietary restrictions and created a cozy and hospitable environment for us to learn from her. Would highly recommend to anyone!!
Kelly
20 Mar 2022
My husband and I had a great time learning new Japanese creations from Chef Melissa! Her home was so inviting and was the perfect setup for an intimate cooking class. Everything turned out delicious and we definitely will be trying these recipes on our own!
Norma
12 Mar 2022
Chef Melissa was great. She taught us so many techniques, including knife skills and for different styles of sushi. My son and I left feeling confident that we could do this at home with our family and friends. Everything was delicious. She made sushi making completely doable for a home cook, something I thought would not be possible. I definitely recommend this class!
Isaac
16 Feb 2022
I highly recommend the Classic Japanese Comfort Food class with Chef Melissa. We learned how to make a three-course meal which includes Okonomiyaki, miso ramen, and matcha crepe. I enjoyed tremendously both the cooking activities and the delicious finished product. Chef Melissa is a wonderful host for this memorable event. The class is well planned ahead and organized so that once the cooking is complete, we could all relax and enjoy the company.
katie
13 Feb 2022
Chef Melissa was wonderful! She is knowledgeable, hospitable, and friendly. The meals were delicious and unique and she taught you how to easily recreate them at home. She was accommodating to me and my guests dietary restrictions. I walked away with some great cooking tips. What a fun experience! I would highly recommend her class.
Sergio
30 Jan 2022
Melissa's sushi class was fantastic! I had fun and learned so much about making sushi. She was also very personable and sociable. She told fantastic stories about her culinary experiences. I will be doing more classes with her in the future.
Alex
29 Jan 2022
Melissa and her sushi class were both really fantastic! We had fun, laughed a lot and learned some useful fundamentals about sushi making. The Sushi was so yummy, it will be hard to order out anytime soon. We would absolutely and highly recommend this experience to others and in fact are hoping to try a dumpling course with her in the future!!! Great night out.
Abigail
24 Jan 2022
Chef Melissa was amazing! We had so much fun learning, and the food was so so good! We’re excited to try out our new skills at home.
Brianna
23 Jan 2022
This was my second time booking with cozy meal and Chef Melissa made it a great experience. Anyone can show you how to make the meal, but her energy, humor, and gratitude is what stood out. There were only four students, so she took the time to really teach us, help with any questions, and laugh with us.
Everything was organized and prepared when we got there, and her apartment is beautiful. She showed us proper knife techniques, the differences between the ingredients, how fold the dumplings correctly, and served us wonton with her homeade broth that was made beforehand. She even gave us homeade stickers to take home :)
Definitely recommend Chef Melissa!
Emily
23 Jan 2022
We took the dumpling class and it was a wonderful experience! Chef Melissa was warm and welcoming, and she made it a fun and engaging experience. She is very knowledgeable and taught us a lot of great tips along the way. We would love to take another one of her classes!
Cecily
22 Jan 2022
Melissa was an incredible coach and the night was one of the best times we've ever had. She gives practical sushi tips for the home cook which makes it seem possible to make sushi at home all the time. From the ambiance to the food to the company I can't imagine a better way to spend an evening. Best sushi we've ever had!
Abby
22 Dec 2021
Chef Melissa provided such a warm and wonderful experience! The authentic ingredients and thought she puts into her client experience is unmatched! We will be certainly schedule a large group session in the future!
Megan
21 Dec 2021
Chef Melissa was amazing! My family and I took the Sushi Making Essentials class and had a blast! Chef Melissa thought of everything and made the class very easy to follow and fun to interact with. We learned so much - knife skills, sushi rolling, and how to make our new favorite, Temaki! I cannot recommend one of Chef Melissa's classes more!!
Isabel
19 Dec 2021
Amazing experience, incredible food and super friendly chef! It was worth every penny and we were super satisfied with the meal and the teacher. Highly recommend if you like gifting experiences!
Reviews Chef Melissa received outside of Cozymeal
Andy
08 Dec 2021
I had Melissa cook for my family as a Christmas gift and we all had a blast! We wanted a French Theme so Melissa gave us a bunch of options including different dessert ideas. We ended up picking a classic French seafood bouillabaisse and sticky toffee pudding! Melissa was well prepared and asked us many questions to make sure we had everything we need in order to cook properly. If we didn't have something, she would bring the tools that we didn't have. She gave each of us an assignment and taught us the proper way of cutting ingredients, measuring, techniques, and history. It was all done with humor and fun! Melissa is very patient with high energy and passion. The end results was the best Bouillabaisse my family ever tasted and we all made with the help of Melissa! The sticky toffee pudding was fantastic too. My 11 year old nephew even helped put the frosting on top. I highly recommend Melissa for a fantastic time and learning experience!
Adam
06 Dec 2021
Melissa is a dynamo of energy, charisma and great knowledge. She understands the food and beverage world in combination better than most people out there. Moreover, Melissa can communicate deep knowledge in a way that is relatable, insightful and engaging. Her election of recipes and beverage pairing can be unique and eye opening. i recommend Melissa as a teacher and speaker. She will amaze you
Claire
06 Dec 2021
I hired Melissa for a private cooking session since I grew up in Asia and have always wanted to learn how to make authentic Asian comfort food after I moved to the US. Before the class, Melissa ensured that we would have all the equipments and ingredients, which made our class go very smoothly. During the class, Melissa was very patient to guide me through the whole process, shared about the history behind the dishes, and taught me some basic techniques. I learned so much from her class. Melissa is very tentative and extremely fun to cook with, and of course the meal (we made okonomiyaki the Japanese pancake and potstickers) was just delightful and delicious. I highly recommend her class.
Kristen
06 Dec 2021
Don’t hesitate to book an in home cooking class with Chef Melissa! You pick the menu to suit your guests. Melissa keeps the cooking fun and easy, teaching the how and why of measuring, mixing and baking. With three sons and my husband, we made Parmesan monkey bread and moist chocolate cupcakes with marscapone frosting. Delicious. Everyone got involved and had a great time. Planning a dumpling class for Spring.
Andy
06 Dec 2021
I had Melissa cook for my family as a Christmas gift and we all had a blast! We wanted a French Theme so Melissa gave us a bunch of options including different dessert ideas. We ended up picking a classic French seafood bouillabaisse and sticky toffee pudding! Melissa was well prepared and asked us many questions to make sure we had everything we need in order to cook properly. If we didn't have something, she would bring the tools that we didn't have. She gave each of us an assignment and taught us the proper way of cutting ingredients, measuring, techniques, and history. It was all done with humor and fun! Melissa is very patient with high energy and passion. The end results was the best Bouillabaisse my family ever tasted and we all made with the help of Melissa! The sticky toffee pudding was fantastic too. My 11 year old nephew even helped put the frosting on top. I highly recommend Melissa for a fantastic time and learning experience!
Connie
06 Dec 2021
My kids had the best time with Melissa during the dessert class. Melissa came to our home and was great with the kids. She was professional, friendly and patient and we love her hands on approach. They made mini apple pies and cupcakes. The kids had fun mixing, cutting the apples, rolling out the dough for the crust and decorating the cupcakes. We had Melissa come close to the holidays and she brought the cutest holiday sprinkles for the cupcakes. Everything was delicious and the kids can't wait for their next class with Melissa!
Danielle
02 Dec 2021
My husband and I had recently been talking about ramen, and how we would love to learn how to make it. I hired Melissa for a private in-home cooking lesson as his Christmas gift; we spent a few hours together learning about proper cooking techniques, made ramen noodles from scratch, and enjoyed a delicious meal together. For desert, we enjoyed green tea cakes that we made from scratch while learning all about sake. It was such an enjoyable evening, filled with lots of laughs (we found out we've been holding chopping knives wrong our whole adult lives) and great memories. I highly recommend Melissa!
Colleen
02 Dec 2021
Melissa is a knowledgable, friendly and enthusiastic instructor. Her thoughtful teaching style is tailored to the student's needs. Her lived experience makes her perspective unique and valuable. She can truly do it all; from dumplings to pastry, Melissa's passion is infused into her work.
Ryan
02 Dec 2021
My wife and I hired Melissa for a private cooking session and we were very impressed with her menu, technique and professionalism. Before we started she made sure to consult with us about our likes, dislikes and food allergies. She also asked about kitchen equipment to ensure that he had everything necessary for a successful outcome. We opted for an heirloom tomato salad with homemade dressing and burrata, followed by seared scallops with chorizo and corn and made from scratch banana bread for dessert. Everything was not only delicious, but she made sure to go slowly and explain the proper cooking techniques as we progressed through each dish. She is also a trained sommelier and paired some very nice selections with our meal. Not only did we have a great meal, we came away from the session with a better understanding of how to make the most out of our recently renovated kitchen. I highly recommend booking a lesson with Melissa -- you won't be disappointed!
Sequoia
02 Dec 2021
Words can't say enough how amazing Chef Melissa Lee is in spirit and in her work. She presented/taught a quick Japanese salad at our For Womxn, By Womxn Summit and was fabulous. She is the perfect mix of intentional teaching and big spirit for an amazing and fun cooking experience. I wholeheartedly would recommend Chef Melissa Lee for any cooking lesson or segment. She's that good!
Mary
02 Dec 2021
Melissa is a wonderful cooking instructor and chef! My family decided to take a two-hour cooking and baking class with Melissa because her passion for teaching, cooking and baking are inspiring. What an amazing family activity to take her class, even for an 11 year old boy and that's saying something! We came to the class with three different cooking experience levels and we all left happy. We had such a good time (and our tummies left happy!) that my husband and I plan to book more classes as a date night activity. It is hard to top learning together in an engaging environment with a teacher whose passion is like no other. Work with Melissa and you'll be glad you did!
Brandon
22 Nov 2021
Chef Melissa is absolutely wonderful! Her charismatic personality and fun approach to classes make for a great time. She has such great knowledge on food, sake, and wine. Her passion for her craft shows in her work, you will be delighted after experiencing her classes.
