Elegant Italian Dishes
- Tue, Aug 18 • 7:00 PM +More Dates
- 16 to 20 guests
- 3-course meal Great for groups
- 3 hours
- Manhattan (SoHo)
NEED HELP PLANNING A TEAM EVENT?
Share your group size, date and location, and we’ll help you find the right NYC experience.
Contact the Cozymeal Team
Booked the class The Best of Italian Favorites with Chef Kenneth
Chef Kenneth was amazing! I booked this class to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday and we had a blast. We loved everything on the menu - particularly the gnocchi. He also left us with leftovers which were greatly appreciated. Cannot recommend Chef Kenneth enough :)
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Lower East Side)
We had such a fun experience with Chef Kenny through Cozy Meals! He taught us knife skills, how to roll sushi, and how to plan a dinner menu and cooking order. It was super interactive and we actually feel confident recreating the recipes at home. Highly recommend!
Booked the class Savoring Best of Spain with Chef Jimi in Brooklyn (Windsor Terrace)
It was an amazing night learning how to cook potatoes bravas, paella & churros. Chef Jimi was so easy to work with & I learned so much! Thank you
Booked the class Upscale Flavors of China with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Cobble Hill)
We cooked steam fish and lots of other delicious food! My favorite part was chef Kenny taught us a lot tips and tricks on how to the knife better and more efficiently. He definitely improved our knife skills. It was a anniversary present and we had a great time!
Booked the class Upscale Flavors of China with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Cobble Hill)
Chef Kenny was fantastic. Every dish was simple yet delicious. I particularly loved the pot stickers and the dessert: coconut cream with tapioca and diced melon. I learned a ton of little cooking tips and tricks that I'll begin to incorporate into my own cooking. I never knew there were right- and left-handed knives, but now I do! He also had a great sense of humor. It was a pleasure cooking with him and I would love to work with him again.
Booked the class The Best of Italian Favorites with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Chef Ken was great-had a relaxed easygoing but professional manner. He came with everything he needed short of a blender which we provided for and assorted pots/pans. We learned a lot-and were put to work in a fun voluntary manner..our groups got their hands dirty from time to time but Ken also cooked/kept things moving forward as we were also catching up while watching/learning. I was impressed by the time saving use of the blender and various shortcuts learned to save time/effort that provided delicious results! Chef Ken taught us how easy some of these dishes were to make-incredible arancini in a marinara sauce, a fantastic Caesar salad w homemade dressing, homemade gnocchi in a Gorgonzola sauce, and delicious homemade cannoli w chocolate chip ricotta filling! He did a great job of passing tips and tricks along the way.. Our group learned a lot and agreed we would like to recreate some of these dishes at home again. I would recommend working w Chef Ken for your next cooking lesson/dinner party!
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (East Village)
We had a fantastic time with chef Kenneth. He helped us prepare a delicious meal and we learned a lot. He is also great with kids. We planned the event for my middle school aged son who loves cooking and he had a blast. 10/10 will definetly book again. Thank you!
Booked the class The Best of Italian Favorites with Chef Kenneth
Chef Kenny was fantastic! We cooked an Italian meal w/ salad, arrancini, gnocci and cannoli all from scratch. Kenny was really knowledgeable, and explained a lot of little cooking tips and tricks along the way. The food was delicious, and I feel like I came out of the class a better cook.
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Queens (Long Island City)
Check Kenneth was great. We had a great time, and he went above and beyond :)
Booked the class The Best of Italian Favorites with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Flatiron District)
Chef Kenny was absolutely FANTASTIC! My fiancé and I made Italian food with him for Valentine’s Day and he made our night so special, was so informative and hands on and couldn’t recommend him more. He was so personable and we had such a great night with him. Highly highly recommend booking him and will definitely be booking him again!
Booked the class Knife Skills: The Fundamentals with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Chef Paul is a master instructor and a mensch. I recommend !
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Queens (Oakland Gardens)
Kenneth was SO informative and fun! He was thorough, taught my friends and me some great cooking tips that apply to all meals in addition to this delicious cuisine (and it was delicious), and made the whole experience super engaging and fun. Highly recommend his cooking class!!
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Downtown Brooklyn)
Wonderful experience, and really appreciated his company as well as the massive amount of food we cooked. Extremely fun and also very laid back all at once!
Booked the class Traditional Fare From Italy with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
We LOVED chef Paul! Highly recommend his class, his teaching style. We were there with teens and they all enjoyed.
Booked the class Classic Bistro Dishes with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
We had a wonderful time cooking and learning from Chef Paul. The class was easy to follow and the meal was delicious. Chef Paul has a great sense of humor too. Highly recommended!
Booked the event A Taste of Tuscan Fare with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
We had the BEST time. We arrived with a large team and they put us to work, teaching us each part of the meal step by step. Lunch was so delicious and a really fun activity for our team to do together. Loved chef Paul!
Booked the event Elegant French Cooking with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Everything was great! It was a little intense sometimes with some of the chefs. They wanted everything to be perfect which is fine but none of us are trained cooks so that seems like a high expectation to have.
Booked the class Traditional Fare From Italy with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Excellent session with Chef Paul - we learned a lot and even got to bring home some of the goods! Thanks Chef Paul!
Booked the class The Art of French Cooking with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Amazing Experience, will definitely be coming again on my next visit to the city!
Booked the class Traditional Fare From Italy with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Chef Paul is hilarious and very knowledgable. Learned a lot from him and cant wait to try these recipes at home!
Booked the class Knife Skills: The Fundamentals with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
This was a wonderful evening out. Chef Paul is very informative and fun. It’s all the joys of cooking without doing lots of prep or cleanup. Highly recommend.
Booked the event A Taste of Tuscan Fare with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Chef Paul and his team were the absolute best! They were friendly, fun, and helpful the whole way through. We learned a bunch of great cooking tips & tricks during our team event. The venue was clean and cozy and the food turned out incredible! We would absolutely recommend this experience to a friend.
Booked the class Traditional Fare From Italy with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Best chef ever!
Booked the class Upscale Flavors of China with Chef Kenneth
My wife and I had a fantastic experience with Chef Kenny, we learned so many tips and tricks for the cooking and will definitely be making these dishes again! A wonderful experience and well worth every moment!
Booked the event Italian Dinner With Delicious Tiramisu in NYC with Chef Paige in Manhattan (Midtown West)
Thanks!
Booked the event Iron Chef Cooking Competition with Chef Ivan in Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
We had such a wonderful evening! Our chef was fantastic, and the team had a lot of fun competing against each other. I highly recommend this experience, it was a perfect team building activity!
Booked the class Asian Dumplings and Stir-Fries with Chef Jasmine
We loved cooking with Chef Jasmine! She was so much fun and we had great conversation while making delicious food.
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Chef Kenneth made our Taste of Japan cooking class an absolutely fantastic experience. He was fun, engaging and kept us involved from start to finish. His teaching style was clear and approachable, making it easy for us to follow along regardless of skill level. We especially appreciated how he took the time to teach proper cooking techniques and knife skills, which made the class both enjoyable and genuinely educational. It felt like we walked away with skills we can actually use at home! On top of that, the food we prepared was incredibly delicious and everything turned out better than we expected! Overall, it was a memorable experience, and we would highly recommend Chef Kenneth to anyone looking for a fun and informative cooking class.
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Kensington)
Chef Kenneth was great! We live in San Antonio, TX and our nephew lives in Brooklyn, NY. We wanted to give our nephew the experience of Chef Kenneths Taste of Japan sushi cooking class for his 18th birthday. Our nephew invited 5 friends. They said Chef Kenneth was "very cool" and that it was "the best experience". Chef Kenneth taught some tricks and gave a great class. Thank you Chef! We are so proud that you made this cooking class/dinner such a memorable experience for our nephew and his friends.
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Lower East Side)
Absolutely wonderful class! Chef Kenneth taught us so many cooking skills, as well as how to make sushi. Extremely warm and kind person as well!
Booked the class Knife Skills: The Fundamentals with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Excellent class. Chef Paul is terrific. Along with knife skills, he also offered numerous and invaluable cooking tips. The kitchen/classroom space was beautiful and immaculate. The ingredients and tools were high quality, and our meal was delicious. We learned (using our new knife skills) how to prepare: bruschetta, roasted hens/chicken, roast parsnips and carrots, roast potatoes, and an apple tart. We had a terrific time. Bravo!
Booked the class The Best of Italian Favorites with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (East Village)
Incredible experience could not recommend more. If you’re thinking about booking with Chef Kenny you must!
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Amazing Japanese cuisine class with Chef Kenneth! We learned tons of techniques from sushi to tempura to matcha tofu panacotta dessert making. Not only was the class fun and the dinner delicious, but also Chef Kenneth is an amazing conversationalist and such a positive presence that he put all of us at ease right away. He spent almost double the time with us, brought all the necessary supplies and ingredients with him, and we made enough delicious food to have lunch with friends the next day. We also found out that Chef Kenneth does private parties, works as a private chef, and can even organize corporate and team building events. I am certain this is not the last time we are cooking with Chef Kenneth. Highly recommended experience!
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Fort Greene)
We had a great time with Kenneth in the Taste of Classic Japan class! It’s a super fun experience to have a private cooking class right at home. Kenneth is a great instructor - he’s super laid back and fun to be around while being very talented and great at explaining cooking techniques and kitchen tips. The food was absolutely delicious. Would highly recommend booking with him and we certainly will again!
Booked the class The Art of French Cooking with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Chef Paul was an amazing teacher who taught us so much while keeping things fun. The food also turned out incredible. I would highly recommend taking a class with him.
Booked the class Upscale Flavors of China with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Downtown Brooklyn)
Great meal and lesson! Kenny is an awesome chef. We had the best time! Definitely recommend.
Booked the class Knife Skills: The Fundamentals with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
It was a wonderful date (day) for my girlfriend that's been interested in learning knife skills. Chef Paul was delightful and I think everyone felt very comfortable and warm with his method of teaching. I'm glad I held out for this class over others.
Booked the event Iron Chef Cooking Competition with Chef Ivan in Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Stefano was great!
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Chef Kenneth was great. He made my daughter's birthday an amazing experience
Booked the event A Taste of Tuscan Fare with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
It was a wonderful experience. Chef Paul and his team made everyone feel like we are real cooks. They answered all questions, no matter how ridiculous. Everyone enjoyed working with their hands, making meatballs and rolling gnocchi. The studio was beautifully decorated, and the dining area had a homey feel. When we sat down for dinner, it was like a large family gathering. We were all very surprised and happy everything tasted absolutely delicious ha!
Booked the food tour East Village Cuisine - NYC with Guide Avital in Manhattan (East Village)
Food Tour – East Village Cuisine – NY Tour guide - Yasmin “Tour was fantastic! Great information on each restaurant, food was awesome - great portions and variety of food. Seating for our large group at each location. Friendly tour guide. It was super fun - not hard walking - and at each restaurant we sat with someone different, so we were able to talk to everyone without that awkward moment trying to have a conversation with all at once.”
Booked the event A Taste of Tuscan Fare with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Chef Paul and the team made our team building event memorable. Great experience.
Booked the event A Taste of Tuscan Fare with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Amazing experience! Everyone was great. Worked with Theo and learned a ton!
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Brooklyn (Crown Heights)
Kenneth was very supportive and great to spend an evening with - and he left us with some very tasty leftovers too! Would recommend.
Booked the class The Art of French Cooking with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Had the most magical time at Chef Paul's Miette Culinary Studio! I brought my 12-year-old niece, who absolutely loves to cook. When signing us up, I mentioned in a note that her dream is to become a chef. The class included seven or eight adults and us, and Chef Paul went out of his way to make her feel welcome. He took her under his wing, showing her basic techniques and treating her aspirations with such respect that she felt truly seen and encouraged. We arrived early, and Chef Paul shared that he began cooking in a professional kitchen around the same age as my niece, then apprenticed under a famous chef in Paris at 15. He later became the head chef of two restaurants before opening his own culinary studio. The class focused on French cooking and included a four-course meal. I loved that it was small and intimate—just 10 people—compared to other classes I found that had 16 to 20 participants. Although we worked in groups of four to prepare each dish, Chef Paul brought everyone together where he demonstrated key steps across all the courses—techniques that many cooks get wrong—and showed us how to do them for the best results. He even provided special recipes for us to take home and ensured that each student got hands-on experience with parts of multiple dishes. It truly felt like a shared and collaborative learning experience. By the end of the three-hour class, our class of nine or ten had shared a delicious meal and great conversation. My niece was absolutely thrilled and left even more inspired to pursue her dream. If you have a child who loves cooking, I can’t recommend Chef Paul highly enough. He even offers children’s group classes upon request. Thank you, Chef Paul, for such a warm, generous, and unforgettable experience!
Booked the class Italian Classics Made Vegan with Chef Paul in Manhattan (SoHo)
Chef Paul was an excellent teacher. He explained things fully and let is be involved in the prep work and the cooking. I will definitely take another class with him in the future.
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (West Village)
Kenneth was terrific from start to finish. He was fully prepared, explained all the activities fully, kind in guiding us to do it right, food was delicious, Kenneth was engaging the whole evening- never rushed us; cleaned up everything and we even have left overs for today. We can highly recommend Kenneth.
Booked the class A Taste of Classic Japan with Chef Kenneth in Manhattan (Chelsea)
We had the best night with Chef Kenny! He was right on time, brought everything we needed, and made the class fun / interactive. I am a hopeless cook, and usually hate prep work, but Chef Kenny made this experience so much fun. He was friendly and patient, and my partner and I had a really fun evening. By the end I felt empowered to make a bunch of dishes and we had a fantastic meal. We would definitely do this again!
From small celebrations to Fortune 500 off-sites, Cozymeal is trusted for unforgettable culinary experiences.
NEED HELP PLANNING A TEAM EVENT?
Share your group size, date and location, and we’ll help you find the right NYC experience.
Contact the Cozymeal Team
Bringing a professional team together in NYC is an exciting opportunity to build relationships and form workplace connections through a shared activity. After hosting thousands of guests in Cozymeal cooking classes and culinary experiences, we’ve seen how naturally food helps groups connect. According to the World Happiness Report which analyzed Gallup data from 142 countries and territories, people who share more meals with others report higher life satisfaction, more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions.
Culinary team building activities offer a refreshing, active alternative to traditional corporate outings. Your group cooks, tastes and learns together - but most importantly, they communicate naturally and conquer challenges together. Food is an organic social lubricant because it lowers barriers to communication and triggers positive biological responses. So, eating together creates a shared, non-threatening experience that unites colleagues.
Through Cozymeal, teams can find premium local culinary team building activities in NYC, including hands-on group cooking classes, high-energy cooking competitions, mystery box challenges, private food tours, interactive mixology experiences and live online events. Options range from mastering the delicate art of hand-rolled fresh pasta and sushi rolling to preparing authentic Spanish paella, folding traditional dumplings, participating in pastry workshops or enjoying guided tastings. A team might cook in SoHo, explore Chinatown and Little Italy through tastings or join remotely from different boroughs.
Planning a successful corporate event means ensuring that guests feel comfortable, engaged and entertained. Cozymeal’s customer research reveals that most guests attend group cooking classes because they want to have a good time, hear from the chef and enjoy the experience, with learning new skills also ranking highly. While learning a new culinary skill is highly valued, the primary driver is the desire for meaningful, low-pressure human connection.
This is where chef-led corporate cooking classes become valuable. An experienced culinary host provides structure and direction, keeping the group focused on a shared activity while removing any potential social awkwardness. From a pasta class after work in Manhattan to a dumpling workshop brought to a Brooklyn office, the environment is inherently social and centered around food, so the atmosphere remains relaxed and conversational.
Cooking team building in NYC can also soften corporate hierarchies. Executives, managers, new hires and interns collaborate side-by-side, and no prior culinary background is required. Some people lead, while others taste, plate, ask questions or take photos. That flexibility helps mixed groups contribute comfortably, making it an excellent tool for boosting morale, integrating new team members or celebrating shared successes.
“Cooking brings people together in a natural way because everyone has a role, but the group is still working toward one shared result. In my classes, I’ve seen teammates communicate, laugh, help each other, and connect in ways that feel much more organic than a traditional team-building exercise.” - Chef Jim, Little Italy, NYC
So how do you choose the right structure for your team? Our expert advisors and event planners break down the most important information below.
For smaller teams or leadership offsites, cooking classes for teams or a walking food tour provides an excellent environment for relaxed conversation. The unhurried environment of a Greenwich Village or Chinatown food tour naturally helps teams to strengthen interpersonal bonds.
In our experience, larger corporate team building activities in NYC are more effective when you choose high-energy cooking competitions or multi-station formats. Because there is more structure, it gently pushes everyone to be active, engaged and entertained. This prevents the usual passive standby moments often found in large group events.
“I recommend choosing an experience that keeps everyone actively involved and gives people opportunities to work together. Hands-on activities like making fresh pasta are especially great because they’re interactive, approachable for different skill levels, and everyone gets to enjoy what they created together at the end.” - Chef Jim, Little Italy, NYC
For hybrid and remote teams, virtual culinary experiences let offsite employees join the same activity as local colleagues, moving from passive observers to active participants. By using structured online platforms and reliable ingredient kit delivery options, Cozymeal simplifies the process for distributed teams across the country, and beyond. Everyone can grab a kit, log on, cook, and taste together in real-time.
Use the quick guide below to compare formats for small groups, hybrid teams and large group team building activities in NYC:
| Format | Best for | Why it works |
| Group cooking classes | Relaxed collaboration & hands-on learning | Teams cook at a comfortable pace, making this a strong choice for mixed groups and beginner-friendly bonding. |
| Cooking competitions | Friendly rivalry & larger group dynamics | Guests split into teams, work toward a shared goal and compare dishes at the end. |
| Mystery box challenges | Creative problem-solving & innovation | Surprise ingredients add a playful challenge while giving each group room to make decisions together. |
| Private food tours | Neighborhood exploration & client entertainment | Teams get out of the office, try local tastings and experience NYC through its food culture. |
| Mixology-style experiences | Holiday parties & milestone celebrations | The format feels festive and interactive, with alcohol-free options available for select events. |
| Online cooking classes | Active, guided digital collaboration | Chef-led guidance in real-time with ingredient kits delivered. Coworkers cook and taste together from different locations. |
| Online mixology classes | Remote, distributed or hybrid teams | Everyone can join the same hosted experience from home, with select events offering ingredient kit delivery. |
| Virtual wine tastings | Relaxed digital networking & social hours | A guided tasting gives remote groups a shared activity that still feels social and structured. |
Organizing a team event in NYC involves answering two essential logistical questions: Where is everyone coming from, and where are they going afterward? A venue may look close on a map, but a complex crosstown trip, subway transfer or peak after-work traffic can impact how your team arrives. For groups distributed across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the outer boroughs, location should be a core component of your event strategy.
To accommodate these geographical realities, Cozymeal offers excellent flexibility in venue selection:
Share your preferred dates, estimated headcount, geographic goals and event objectives with Cozymeal’s support team, and we will design an experience that fits both your internal goals and local travel realities.
“In NYC, location and timing can make a big difference. Choose a venue that’s easy to reach by public transportation, allow extra travel time during rush hour, and make sure the space comfortably fits the group so everyone can participate rather than just watch.” - Chef Jim, Little Italy, NYC
Cozymeal has helped host more than 20,000 corporate events for over 100,000 guests worldwide. Our in-depth experience helps simplify the booking process. Cozymeal provides end-to-end support by coordinating chef matching, menu refinement, ingredient sourcing, scheduling, venue logistics and kit delivery for online experiences.
Here is how a typical event unfolds:
Once you select your culinary experience, the booking process confirms the date, guest count, venue type and customization needs. The chef or host prepares the entire menu around your dietary needs, along with the event space, while Cozymeal aligns the logistics with your schedule. Ingredient kits are prepared and shipped directly to remote participants. NYC organizers can then share arrival instructions, building access codes or nearby subway details.
When your team arrives, the chef or host welcomes the group and provides a brief orientation. In a traditional cooking team building event, coworkers chop fresh ingredients, roll out dough or master regional techniques. In a cooking competition, teams strategize, delegate tasks and plate their creations. On a private food tour, an expert guide leads your group through neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy or Greenwich Village, pairing local stories with tastings between stops.
The experience culminates in a relaxed, social celebration. Teams can share the meal, compare competition dishes or discuss a favorite food-tour stop. In NYC, planners can also choose a location that makes it easy to continue with drinks, or leaves colleagues with a straightforward subway or taxi ride home.
“Cooking together helps team bonding because no one is a pro so each step everyone works together or competes against each other. Either way creates a fun social atmosphere with a tasty meal at the end.” - Chef Kenneth, NYC
Through Cozymeal, teams can book a comprehensive range of culinary experiences across the city. Options include interactive, chef-led team cooking classes, high-energy cooking competitions, mystery box challenges, private neighborhood food tours, upscale mixology experiences and live online events. Popular menus feature fresh pasta making, sushi rolling, classic Spanish paella, traditional dumpling folding, artisan dessert workshops and curated virtual wine tastings.
While specific inclusions vary based on the format and menu you select, a standard corporate culinary event is immediately available with everything you need. It includes the professional chef or expert host, comprehensive guided instruction, all premium ingredients, venue access (or travel to your office) and dedicated event coordination support. For select virtual experiences, pre-measured ingredient kit delivery can be arranged to ensure a seamless experience for remote participants.
Start with your headcount, location and event goal. Smaller teams often work well in private chef-led classes or food tours, while larger groups may need cooking competitions, mystery box challenges or multi-station formats. If your final headcount is not confirmed, share an estimated range early so you can narrow options that fit your group size.
Select team building activities in NYC arranged through Cozymeal may take place at an office, event venue or private space, depending on the experience, menu, group size and setup. Hands-on cooking classes may require kitchen access or prep space, but tastings, mixology-style events, food tours and select virtual experiences can be arranged without a kitchen.
Most dietary restrictions and allergies can often be accommodated, depending on the chef, menu and experience format. During the booking process, let the host know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so they can accommodate them.
Yes. Through Cozymeal, teams can book live online cooking classes, online mixology classes and virtual wine tastings for coworkers joining from NYC, nearby commuter areas or other locations. Ingredient kit delivery is available for select online experiences, making it easier for everyone to cook, mix or taste together from home.