Any suggestion for a few hour home cooking class in San Francisco and New York City

If you want classes out of your house in NY, it depends on if you want demonstration or hands on. Check out William Sonoma, Sur la Table, Macy's (I think they still do them) and Whole Foods (has good ones). Also, if money is no object, check out Sunday Suppers created by a photographer and last, from the restaurant Camaje.

Sorry, I meant the New York Times Wednesdy Dining section. I live in the Bronx, which is closer than many people think to Manhattan.

If you are visiting New York, can you come over for dinner? The Wed Dining Section on line will have great ideas for cooking classes.

Samin Nosrat has great classes in San Francisco. http://www.ciaosamin.com/p/home-ec-classes.html

Jordan's Kitchen does great private lessons and cooking parties - http://jordanskitchensf.com/

I second Tante Marie's for San Franciso, and would also recommend Cavallo Point in Sausalito. http://www.cavallopoint.com/cooking-school-courses-and-classes.html

Thank you all for you valuable suggestions

I second the Brooklyn Kitchen. They have the widest variety of classes you can imagine. It is a kitchen "megastore" with a butcher shop and two huge kitchen labs built in. The kitchen labs are where they teach the classes. One is for pastry only and is gorgeous, with skylights and butcher block countertops. The downstairs lab is more sleek and stainless steel, which is where the bigger, heavy duty classes like pig butchering 101 take place.

Believe me, if they sucessfully run a place called "The Meat Hook" and also let a vegan chef teach there you know they have EVERYTHING.

www.thebrooklynkitchen.com

A quick peek at this month's classes includes Texas BBQ, fresh pasta making, and making ice cream at home.

We've worked with Brendan McDermott and hope to have him back very soon! He teaches at ICE, does video with Working Class Foodies, and is absolutely wonderful. He was awarded "best cooking class" by New York Magazine - a very good accolade!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Chef-Brendan-McDermott/100001920446743

I offer cooking classes in new york. I cater them to what you want to learn and make sure that everything is very hands on. If you choose I will also do a wine pairing with the class. If you'd like to get in touch my contact information is on my website at gastroalchemy.com

NYC: The Astor Center, Brooklyn Kitchen, FCI and ICE, BK Skillshare, among others. There are some talented writer/cook/blogger types doing cooking classes as well if you want an intimate experience.

Tante Marie's in San Francisco is lovely. A few friends of mine have taught there from time to time. http://www.tantemarie.com/

Have a lovely trip!

http://www.rusticocooking.com - I took a class here, Northern Italian. Great!
http://www.foodsofny.com - Had so much fun with a tasting walking tour (many ethnic neighborhoods) to choose from. Inexpensive, tasty and educational!
http://svrd.co/p49HJr - This is Savored, formally Village Vines - Simply sign up free, pay a $3-$10 surcharge & make your reservation through the site, and bam!, 30% alcohol and food. No coupons or certificates, just tell the host you have a Savored reservation. No brainer and the list of restaurants is unreal!

If you would like further foodie suggestions, private message me!

My dream too, went so far as the interview process for the certificate program but decided I didn't have the time. I would love to take the informal classes also, I think I will have to decide which one.

Sdebrango.. thanks for the FCI information.. Its been a dream for me to one day take a course there, had no idea they had informal classes as well!

Check with Les Dames d'Escoffier in both cities. If you contact them via their respective websites, they will give you advice. Often they host special food events and tours, and they are fun!

http://www.ldei.org/

French culinary institute has some classes that last only a few hours they are wonderful. Here is the link:
http://www.frenchculinary.com/courses/ny/rec

When I was in NYC, I booked the "Food on Foot" tour with Corey. You go to several different ethnic neighborhoods to get a taste of "real" New York. He will then advise you on the best local restaurants. You can find him on tripadvisor.com.