Cooking Class - Creole Classics on the Bayou

59 reviews

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$ 105 Per person

all-inclusive: 3-hour class, 3-course meal.

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Can be used for any experience or cookware

What You’ll Do

Prepare classic Creole recipes perfect for Mardi Gras or just to ease the winter chill.

Influenced by a wide mix of cultures, Creole cuisine is all about variety. Learn to balance complex flavors and textures to create soul-warming comfort foods in this hands-on cooking class with Chef Shelley.

You'll start by preparing Cajun blackened salmon served over maque choux. Next, learn how to whip up a light roux for a hearty chicken etouffee featuring Andouille sausage, chicken and okra. Wrap up with a comforting Southern-style apple crisp and learn all about the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisines as you enjoy your culinary creations.

Guests are welcome to bring wine and beer to enjoy during the class.

Your Menu

Cajun Blackened Salmon Over Maque Choux

With traditional Creole succotash of corn, tomatoes and seasoning

Chicken Etouffee

With Andouille sausage and long grain rice for serving

Southern Style Apple Crisp

With oatmeal, pecans and golden raisins

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 8
Meal Courses 3
Event Duration 3 hours
Labels Couples, Date Night, Gourmet, Singles

Meet your chef

Chef Shelley

Food safety certified

59 reviews

Chef Shelley’s nearly 30 years of professional experience as a successful chef combined with her extensive event planning experience have equipped her to be one outstanding host to a variety of dynamic, hands-on cooking classes. Chef Shelley has spent a great deal of time cooking for many celebrities and dignitaries as well as teaching an array of classes for both children and adults. She is also the former owner of popular restaurant in Brooklyn.

View all of Chef Shelley's Experiences

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Cancellation Policy

Flexible booking: Cancel or reschedule this event's reservation for free up to 48 hours before the event.

What You’ll Do

Prepare classic Creole recipes perfect for Mardi Gras or just to ease the winter chill.

Your Menu

Cajun Blackened Salmon Over Maque Choux

With traditional Creole succotash of corn, tomatoes and seasoning

Chicken Etouffee

With Andouille sausage and long grain rice for serving

Southern Style Apple Crisp

With oatmeal, pecans and golden raisins

Details

Minimum Guests 2
Maximum Guests 8
Meal Courses 3
Event Duration 3 hours
Labels Couples, Date Night, Gourmet, Singles

Reviews

Reviews guests left for this experience

Coley

27 Jun 2025

This was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Chef Shelley is not only a gifted chef but also a warm, engaging teacher. We did the class with my girlfriend, my son, and my 13-year-old daughter, and she made every step of the process fun, informative, and hands-on. She guided us through the prep, ingredients, and cooking techniques — but what really set this apart was how she explained the why behind each step. We learned what the “holy trinity” is in Cajun cooking, why a pinch of sugar enhances tomato-based dishes, and why a splash of lemon juice is key when working with apples. Together, we cooked a delicious Cajun meal: classic salmon over maque choux (a Creole succotash), and excellent chicken étouffée, and a perfectly spiced Southern-style apple crisp. Throughout, Chef Shelley shared amazing stories from her time cooking in New Orleans and New York City — plus insider commentary on restaurants (the best and ones to avoid), chefs, and food trends. It genuinely felt like she knows (and has cooked with) everyone in the food world — including being friends with members of The English Beat! Between dishes, she also treated us to samples of artisan hot sauces, barbecue sauces, spices, and even a caramel apple — all from brands she consults with or has helped develop. Her passion for the culinary arts and the specialty food world is infectious. Chef Shelley is a delightful host, a brilliant storyteller, and a deeply knowledgeable chef. We couldn’t recommend her highly enough — truly one of the best experiences we’ve had.

Jennifer

26 Jan 2024

We had a wonderful time with Chef Shelley. The food was incredible and the experience was so relaxing and enjoyable. It felt like we were having a fun dinner party with good friends and also learned a lot about food! We will be booking again very soon.

Tim

23 Aug 2023

Chef Shelley was a wonderful host and teacher with an absolutely fantastic personality. Even when some severe storms rolled through and we had to reschedule she was understanding and accomodated us. We would highly recommend her to anyone looking for great food, a superb chef, and excellent conversation!

Elyse

11 Apr 2023

Chef Shelly provided an unforgettable experience for me and my young cousin. I informed chef in advance that my cousin dreams to be a chef one day and I thought this would be a great experience for her and Chef Shelly did not disappoint. She greeted us with open arms like we were family and took time to get to know us and ensured we were comfortable and felt at home before we began. Once we began cooking, she instantly became an educator and ensured we knew the history and origin of each dish, and every technical term in the kitchen. She put us to work and ensured we got our hands dirty to cook an incredible three course meal. After words while we enjoyed our delicious hard work, she spent time sharing her experiences from the highs and lows, from successes and sacrifices so my cousin understands what it takes to become a great chef. My cousin left calling Chef Shelly Nana and ensuring she’ll keep in touch. This one cooking class with Chef Shelly left a lasting impression on us and I’m forever grateful for the experience she provided.

Merkena

15 Nov 2022

Awesome experience with Chef Shelley. The food was absolutely delicious! Definitely recommend.

John

15 Nov 2022

Chef Shelley invited us into her home and made us feel instantly welcomed! Her experiences as a chef and desire to have you actually learn (whether by doing or observing) made cooking with her so much fun. On top of all that, the food is among the best you’ll ever have and it’s all thanks to her guiding hand. 10/10, 5 stars, two thumbs way up. Will go again and highly recommend Chef Shelley to anyone who wants a delicious and entertaining night.

Cassandre

21 Mar 2018

Great experience!

Alexandra Rene

20 Mar 2018

I booked chef Shelley for my best friend's birthday and it was one of the best gifts I could have given her. We enjoyed and loved the whole experience. The place was nicely decorated and the cooking experience was outstanding. We did not want the day to come to an end. We enjoyed every second of it. I would definitely book chef Shelley again and again and again...?

Reviews guests left for other experiences with Chef Shelley

Roz

15 May 2025

Chef Shelley had an incredible meal planned for us. It was amazing and a blast! Everyone helped out in the kitchen. We learned new techniques and she shared secret tips! We would highly recommend Fat Tuesday on Thursday :)

Fat Tuesday on Thursday Review Photo from Cooking Class in Washington, D.C.

Fat Tuesday on Thursday Review Photo from Cooking Class in Washington, D.C. 2

Fat Tuesday on Thursday Review Photo from Cooking Class in Washington, D.C. 3

Fat Tuesday on Thursday Review Photo from Cooking Class in Washington, D.C. 4

Jeremy

17 Apr 2025

We had such an excellent night with chef Shelley and her son (sous chef), Legend. She made cooking the meal super easy, the conversation was very entertaining, and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend this experience, it was well worth it. Thank you Shelley and Legend!

Mariah

16 Feb 2025

Chef Shelley was really nice and kept us busy. There was a lot of education on the food and I learn a lot on how to season and purchase of food. She was very professional and fun. She kept us laughing with stories and getting to know us all. The experience with booking was great and very easy. I love the communication on cozymeal between the chef. It was very easy to have access to her if we had any questions or concerns. I enjoyed the cocktail and Emily in Paris French theme meal. It was delicious and would love to come back. We felt at home!

Sharlena

10 Feb 2025

We had a fantastic time with Chef Shelley! She was extremely pleasant and the food was delicious! She showed us how to turn the dishes into our own! Chef Shelley showed us how to use great fresh ingredients and clean eating. I will definitely be back. The guests were amazing as well! We will be BACK.

Mark

07 Dec 2024

We were a group of eight. From the moment Chef Shelley greeted us until we left almost four hours we were laughing, cooking, talking, and encouraging each other. We learned how to cook amazing food, enjoyed the beverages of our choice, and had an enjoyable evening that we will do again. Chef Shelley is a true inspiration, and I highly recommend you sign up for one of her courses!

Dina

20 Nov 2024

Chef Shelley's Gullah Cooking class was great. She is very welcoming and personable. The class is casual and interactive. We learned some new recipes and techniques and also about the cuisine. And the food was very tasty! Highly recommend.

Archer

11 Oct 2024

A wonderful evening! Every part was perfect and chef Shelley was a terrific host, and a spectacular person to hang out with. Plus, the food was unbelievable.

Roberto

01 Oct 2024

Chef Shelley did a private class for my team of 7, and we had a really fun time. We learned some good cooking tips, made a delicious meal from the Gullah cuisine, and enjoyed ourselves. Couldn't have asked for a better team bonding event!

Denise-Nicole

21 Jun 2024

The class and food were excellent. Chef Shelley was so encouraging and we loved learning from her and chatting with her. Will be taking another class with her soon!

Justin

01 Jun 2024

The chef was great. She taught us all the steps to make the meal. She was very welcoming and encouraged us to participate. The chef was very accommodating for allergies that I have.... I have allot of allergies. The kitchen was clean. The chef was fun, energetic, easy to talk to. Highly recommend to anyone who is interested in taking a cooking class.

Deric

03 Mar 2024

Really enjoyed the class

Ryan

23 Feb 2024

Treated my mom to this class as a Christmas gift. Chef Shelley was a lot of fun, had some stories to tell and we learned a lot about cooking techniques. Most importantly, the food was incredible and we enjoyed meeting the awesome other people in our group. Highly recommend this experience!

Marta

16 Feb 2024

We had a great time!

Michelle

08 Jan 2024

This experience was SO FUN!!! My daughter loves cooking and I took her to a class before she returns to college in 2 weeks. We both learned more than we expected, and really enjoyed Chef Shelley’s personality and teaching style. I’ll be signing up for another class before the month ends… I can’t wait to bring my friends!

Rachael

15 Oct 2023

Chef Shelley's meal and conversation were absolutely amazing. The food had the right texture and taste. Conversations were both disarming and welcoming. I look forward to taking future classes with her.

Rohit

13 Oct 2023

Chef Shelley was amazing. She made everyone feel at home, and was very engaging. She taught us several tips and tricks about cooking while telling us stories about her past cooking experiences. My wife and I had the most amazing time and are already looking for more classes with Chef Shelley.

Patrick

06 Oct 2023

Great class! Will be booking another with Chef Shelley.

Karen

23 Aug 2023

This review is not only for Chef Shelley but for CozyMeal as a whole. Friday's experience was extremely disappointing. I knew by research it was a private residence but website said Cozymeal approved and owned by a chef so I thought professional grade - NOT! kitchen space too small for 4 couples but when a 5 showed up we were on top of each other. I could not see, learned nothing and no verbal cues either. Dinner was not even plated! Called cozymeal Monday, someone was to get back with me left all my contact info, received nothing. I have spread the word on social media. Shame on CozyMeal, DO NOT waste your money, too many other professional cooking classes out there and I gave out the info for them.

Jamie

17 Jul 2023

We had a blast cooking with Chef Shelley. We signed up for her Flavors of Bourbon Street class, and she taught us a lot and helped us cook an incredibly flavorful meal that we’d been thrilled to get at a nice restaurant. She also made us feel at home the entire time, and kept us laughing with her stories and cooking tips. We can’t recommend a class with her enough!

Kristin

05 Jul 2023

Chef Shelley is great and the food is delicious!

Stephanie

26 Jun 2023

We had a wonderful afternoon with Chef Shelley. She was so friendly, so knowledgeable and very welcoming. And we had a fabulous meal!

Patty

26 Jun 2023

Chef Shelley was so accommodating and made sure everyone was having a great time. I learned a lot in her class and can’t wait to make the recipe again. She welcomed us into her home and made us feel like more than guests. Can’t recommend her enough! Thank you again!

Abigail

25 May 2023

Chef Shelley is truly one in a million! She made my boyfriend and I feel right at home as soon as we stepped foot into her apartment. She turned what was meant to be a simple birthday gift into an unforgettable experience. Chef Shelley is truly so much fun, and I would recommend anyone to try one of her classes! 10/10 - I will be booking another class in the future!

Jacob

25 May 2023

Chef Shelley is the best possible chef you could do a cooking class with. Her stories are fun, she makes you laugh, and the food is absolutely incredible. Highly recommend if you want to have a great night!!

Craig

30 Apr 2023

Chef Shelley was amazing and the food was fantastic. It was an all around great experience.

Jed

25 Apr 2023

A great experience with wonderful Chef Shelley!

Nicolas

17 Apr 2023

We had the best date night with Shelley! The moment you walk into her apartment she makes you feel like you're at home. She's very funny and easy to talk to with a lot of great stories. She guides you through the cooking but you really get to do most of the cooking yourself with some helpful tips along the way. Everything we made was delicious. She also provided enough food where we definitely did not leave hungry; stuffed is more like it! She's incredibly passionate about what she does and it shows throughout the class. Would definitely recommend Shelley to anyone who wants to have a good time and make some great food!

Antoine

07 Apr 2023

Excellent experience!! Chef Shelley is truly amazing. Great food, conversation and atmosphere. My wife and I had a wonderful evening. Definitely look forward to having another meal prepared by her.

Joshua

30 Mar 2023

My girlfriend and I attended Chef Shelley's cooking experience for Valentine's Day. The experience was both exceptional and educational. Chef Shelley provided our group a history lesson on New Orleans cuisine. Not to mention...the food was delicious. Truly an unforgettable evening.

Sarah

22 Jan 2023

Four of us cooked with Chef Shelley. We loved it. High energy. Great tips and stories and she made cooking easy. The meal was delicious and we are looking forward to cooking it for Valentine's Day!

Jarron

13 Jan 2023

Chef Shelley was a great host. She shares very helpful tips, makes sure all the guests are as involved as they want to be, and has a very upbeat personality. The meal we made was delicious and simple enough to make on my own. Would definitely recommend.

Heather

05 Jan 2023

Chef Shelley was so fun!

Jasmine

29 Nov 2022

Our experience with Chef Shelley was amazing! She was patient, knowledgeable and passionate about cooking. We did the Seafood Lovers Spread and it was delicious. One of my favorite parts of class was learning how to make shortbread from scratch using a few of Chef's baking techniques. I highly recommend booking a class with Chef Shelley <3

Irena

01 Nov 2022

CHEF SHELLEY IS AMAZING. My boyfriend and I took a class with Chef and it was the most unique experience. The class is so fun and you can take it at your own pace. You can be 100% involved or just hang out with Shelley while she talks about her expertise and makes you laugh. The food is delicious, the preparation is fun and you feel like you’re at home. This is a one of kind experience that I think everyone should have. I will be telling everyone I know about this experience and hope to make food again soon with Chef Shelley. (This is also the only online review I’ve left in my life, so you know it’s a seriously good experience) Please book this class for a group of friends you will not regret it!!!

Allison

29 Oct 2022

Chef Shelley was so much fun and the meal was fantastic! We’ll definitely do another lesson with her again!

Danielle

21 Sep 2022

Chef Shelley hosted the most wonderful cooking class for my boyfriend and I, and another couple. She has the most vivacious, bubbly personality that immediately makes you feel welcomed in her home. She gave us practical advice on how to cook these dishes at home and gave us the confidence to replicate the meal (as well as other meals) using the skills she taught us. I would recommend this class to anyone regardless of their level of cooking skills, as this was simply a blast! Will definitely be coming back in the future!

Jeremy

14 Mar 2022

Shelley is a great personality, very sweet and thoughtful. Highly recommend you try one of her classes! My girlfriend and I have tried other chef/cooking experiences in DC and this was our favorite!

Eva

07 Mar 2022

Delicious menu, fun conversation made this a great evening

Michael

01 Mar 2022

Chef Shelley showed us some dishes that will become staples in our home! It was a great night of food and fun.

Jamison

19 Oct 2021

Tonight we cooked our own meal in great company hosted by THE BEST CHEF in town Chef-Shelley Everett If you’re looking for gourmet eats, superb atmosphere and an amazing instructor, look no further, BOOK HER NOW

Marisela

28 Sep 2021

Chef Shelly was amazing and so welcoming. My boyfriend and I enjoyed every single dish we prepared. She was so much fun and easy to talk to I felt right at home. The food was to die for we couldn’t stop eating it. I had never seen my boyfriend eat so much at once. We were left speechless with every single bite. I will definitely be coming back. We love you MomDukes!

Emma

26 Jul 2021

We loved our New Orleans Style Brunch with Chef Shelley! She was very welcoming and friendly from the second we arrived. Our conversations were nothing but lively and fun. We also learned quite a few new cooking techniques and the food was incredible. We will definitely do another class and will be sure to recommend her to our family and friends! Thanks Chef Shelley for a great night!

Jasmyne

11 May 2021

Chef Shelley is THE best! She made my first experience with a cooking class one to remember! Her knowledge and presence really made the evening. My date and I decided to try the “Seafood Lover’s Spread” everything was fresh and delicious, the shrimp scampi with the squash noodles was my favorite. The fresh mussels and clams were also great! We were so full from the first course so we had to pack up the second course to go. The drop biscuits we made for dessert were divine. The intimate setting gave my date and I an opportunity to talk amongst ourselves and still engage with the chef. Overall the atmosphere, the host/chef and her amazing energy made my night. I would highly recommend for anyone looking to do something outside their comfort zone, I promise you will enjoy!

Whitney

15 Jul 2018

We had a great time with Chef Shelley! She is very personable and knowledgeable and makes you feel like you are a pro. The food we made was amazing, and I look forward to duplicating the recipe. It was a great experience all around. My husband enjoyed himself and it was a great date idea. You won’t regret booking with Chef Shelley.

Cami

24 Jun 2018

Chef Shelley not only is an amazing. Chef and teacher, but an incredible host.. Camille Miller

Linda

25 Mar 2018

Chef Shelley and her friend West were gracious and fun. We had a fabulous time and the food was delicious. Intimate setting in a lovely apartment. Wish we had gotten to do some more of the cooking as we thought it was a cooking class. However, it was a wonderful experience and we would recommend Chef Shelley to others. Thank you Chef Shelley and West for a great evening!

Jaylen

26 Feb 2018

On Valentine's day, chef Shelley and host West gave us an experience to remember. Upon entry , we we were welcomed with great excitement. The host welcomed us in to her own home making us feel very comfortable. The chef introduced herself and began describing the agenda for the menu. The chef spent her time informing us of the culture behind the food that we were going to cook which made it much more engaging and intimate. Chef Shelley did an awesome job with helping us prep the meal; along with teaching us some of her unique techniques. This was a great experience and we definitely recommend for couples who are looking for an intimate , warm welcoming and enlightening class.

Reviews Chef Shelley received outside of Cozymeal

Jessica

07 Dec 2017

Chef Shelley was super fun and informative. Her dynamic personality combined with extensive experience in the food industry is was a perfect combination to help me master these dishes, I know I'll be able to recreate these at home.

Spring

08 Jul 2014

Within Chef Shelley are so many gifts. Culinary artistry; professional service; multidisciplinary knowledge, and passion in sharing her talent and expertise. She expresses joy through her creations and client interactions. Whatever your vision for your event, The Gourmet Angel will make it real.