Welcome!
Turn Up The Heat Culinary
Cook More Than a Meal—Create an Experience.
Discover the Joy of Cooking
Under the guidance of Chef Michael, you'll learn professional techniques in a relaxed, welcoming kitchen where everyone is encouraged to participate. You'll chop, sauté, bake, season, plate, and enjoy every step of the cooking process using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
No demonstrations from the sidelines. No watching someone else cook.
You'll be the chef.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced home cook, you'll leave with new skills, greater confidence, and recipes you'll want to make again and again.
Something for Everyone
Choose the experience that's perfect for you:
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Adult Cooking Classes – Date nights, international cuisine, seasonal favorites, and specialty workshops.
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Kids & Teens Cooking Classes – Fun, educational, and confidence-building experiences that inspire a lifelong love of cooking.
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Parent & Me Classes – Make memories together while learning new culinary skills side by side.
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Private Events – Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers, and special occasions with an unforgettable cooking experience.
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Corporate Team Building – Strengthen teamwork, communication, and creativity in a fun, hands-on environment everyone will enjoy.
More Than a Cooking Class
At Turn Up The Heat Culinary, we believe the best memories are made around the table.
Our classes are about laughing together, trying something new, celebrating success, and sharing an incredible meal you've created with your own hands.
Come hungry, Leave inspired!
Explore Our Classes & Courses
Ready to find your perfect culinary experience? Browse our Classes & Courses to view upcoming cooking classes,
85 US dollars
85 US dollars
85 US dollars
85 US dollars
❄️ New Winter Classes Are Here!
🍁 OCTOBER CLASSES
October 23 – California Coastal Feast 🌊
Celebrate the fresh, vibrant flavors of California with a coastal-inspired culinary experience.
October 24 – Teens: Mexican Fiesta Cooking Class 🌮
Teens ages 13–17 will learn new cooking techniques while creating a festive Mexican-inspired meal from scratch.
🥂 NOVEMBER CLASSES
November 1 – Thai Favorites 🇹🇭
Explore the bold, aromatic flavors of Thailand while preparing some of the cuisine’s most beloved dishes.
November 6 – Clean Eating 🥗
Learn how to create fresh, wholesome meals packed with flavor using simple, nutritious ingredients.
November 7 – Italian Country Cooking 🇮🇹
Discover the rustic flavors of the Italian countryside with comforting, traditional dishes made from scratch.
November 8 – Parent & Me: Homemade Pasta 👩🍳❤️
Parents and kids will work together to roll, shape, cook, and enjoy fresh homemade pasta in this fun, hands-on class.
November 13 – Mediterranean Feast 🫒
Enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean while preparing a delicious feast inspired by the region’s classic cuisine.
November 14 – Kids: Mexican Takeout at Home (Ages 8–12) 🌮
Young chefs will learn how to create their favorite Mexican-inspired takeout dishes from scratch in this fun and interactive class.
November 15 – Teens: Chinese Takeout at Home (Ages 13–17) 🥢
Teens will learn new cooking techniques while preparing delicious Chinese-inspired takeout favorites right in the kitchen.
November 20 – Flavors of Italy 🇮🇹
Take a culinary journey through Italy and discover the delicious flavors, ingredients, and techniques that make Italian cuisine so special.
November 21 – Argentinian Grill 🔥
Fire up the grill and experience the bold flavors of Argentina with traditional grilling techniques and delicious accompaniments.
November 22 – Thanksgiving Tutorial Class 🦃
Get ready for Thanksgiving with creative recipes, helpful preparation tips, and a few delicious twists on holiday classics to make your celebration extra special.
November 27 – Sushi Workshop 🍣
Learn the fundamentals of sushi-making, from preparing the ingredients to rolling and assembling your own delicious sushi.
November 28 – Steakhouse Favorites 🥩
Learn how to recreate classic steakhouse favorites at home, from perfectly prepared steak to delicious sides and accompaniments.
November 29 – Mediterranean Brunch 🥂
Enjoy a fresh and flavorful brunch inspired by the Mediterranean, featuring delicious dishes perfect for a leisurely weekend gathering.
Come cook, create, and celebrate the season with us!
Come hungry, Leave inspired!
Our Offerings
Public Classes
Want to become a better home chef or chase even bigger culinary dreams? Turn Up the Heat Culinary offers the expert instruction and convenient class options you'll need to get there. We have class options for every level of experience. You will cook at a station in groups of 2, which features all the equipment and ingredients you'll need. With small class sizes, you'll get plenty of personal attention from the chef-instructor.
Private Events
Looking for a personalized experience tailored to your culinary interests? Book a private cooking class! Our expert chef-instructors lead collaborative cooking experiences featuring customized menus, creating unforgettable memories for bridal showers, corporate team-building events, anniversaries, birthdays, and more. From beginners looking to build confidence in the kitchen to seasoned home chefs eager to refine their skills, there's something for everyone!
Gift Cards
Gift Cards are now available! Give the gift of a fun, hands-on culinary experience with adult cooking classes, courses, or private sessions — the perfect gift for food lovers, home cooks, and anyone looking to learn new skills in the kitchen. We're expanding our gift card offerings and will have them available for kid and teen classes soon. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for considering Turn Up The Heat Culinary for your next gift-giving occasion!
Chef michael
As a child, Michael and his brothers would hang out in the kitchen and “help” their mom by being the official tasters and picking up simple techniques. These skills came in handy when he moved out on his own and began experimenting with different flavors and textures. After getting married and raising two children (one now a pastry chef and the other a highly regarded sous chef), Chef Michael attended the Westlake Culinary Institute (WCI). After graduating, he stayed on as an assistant instructor for two semesters while also teaching classes to the general public, where he discovered his passion for sharing his knowledge of the culinary arts. He then joined the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel and Resort in Westlake Village as a chef in the Health and Wellness Kitchen, a position he held for many years.
Seeking a new challenge, he became the private resident chef at a large luxury facility in Malibu, where he shared his skills with clients and staff for more than three years. He later returned to his love of teaching as a chef instructor at a prominent culinary school in Santa Barbara, until pursuing the dream of opening his own school, Turn Up the Heat Culinary, became a reality.
Turn Up The Heat Culinary is more than a cooking class. It’s an immersive culinary journey. We offer small, mentorship-focused sessions that explore seasonal ingredients, time-honored techniques, and authentic stories behind every dish. While in-studio you’ll cook alongside experts and artisans, build confidence in the kitchen, and join a community that shares your passion...one delicious plate at a time.
Questions about our cooking classes, private events, parties, team building? We'd love to hear from you.
