Est. July 2014
Unlock Your Culinary Potential with Back 2 Basics Cooking
Transform from a kitchen novice to a confident home chef in just 6 weeks with our hands-on cooking classes in Columbia, Missouri.
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Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience with each class, ensuring you leave with skills you can use immediately.
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Expert Guidance: Learn from Chef Ashley, a seasoned professional who will guide you through each step with patience and expertise.
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Diverse Recipes: Expand your culinary repertoire with a variety of dishes, from savory stir-fries to delightful baked goods.
​What You Can Expect From This Series:
Hands-On Learning
Gain practical experience with each class, ensuring you leave with skills you can use immediately.
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​​Expert Guidance
Benefit from Chef Ashley's decade of culinary teaching experience. She will patiently guide you through each step, sharing her passion and expertise to help you succeed.
Our classes are engaging and interactive, allowing you to ask questions, receive feedback, and participate in hands-on activities. This fosters a personalized learning experience tailored to your needs.
Confidence in the Kitchen
Overcome your kitchen apprehensions and build confidence to cook meals from scratch.
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"Chef Ashley helped me to beat my anxiety in the kitchen and taught me the basic skills in a fun way. Her courses feel more like a fun night out than a class. And, I left full each evening!
My husband watched me do my first round of classes and asked if he could join for the second. We’re looking forward to six more weeks of classes now."
-Shay Ochoa
Class Criteria and Menus
Class #1: Culinary Foundations
Skills Covered:
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Knife handling, sharpening vs honing, and basic cuts (such as dice, mince, julienne).
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Mise en place: staying organized and efficient.
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Kitchen safety and timing.
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Basics Cooking Terminology
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Kitchen Hygiene
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Cooking grains.
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Menu:
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Veggie Stir Fry over Jasmine Rice
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Class #2: Pasta and Sauce Making
Skills Covered:
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Making fettuccine from scratch with a pasta roller.
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Cooking pasta to al dente and salting water properly.
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Making alfredo sauce using reduction.
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Preparing a roux-based mushroom veloute sauce.
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Menu:
Fettuccine Alfredo
Mushroom Veloute Sauce with Fettuccine Noodles
Class #3: Flavor Enhancement 101
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Skills Covered:
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Creating compound butters.
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Sautéing aromatics (onions, garlic, mirepoix) to build a flavor base.
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Using both fresh and dry herbs and spices to enhance your dishes.
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Deglazing a pan and balancing flavors with acid, salt, and sweetness.
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How to plan your dishes with their flavor profile in mind.
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Menu:
Garlic Lemon Shrimp & Veggie Bowls
Italian Meatballs
Class #4: Breakfast Bonaza
Skills Covered:
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Learn fundamental egg techniques including frying or scrambling, and learn the steps to crack an egg with one hand like a pro.
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Understanding heat control and timing while preparing eggs.
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More practice on the art of seasoning and flavoring by making homemade sausage patties.
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Exploring the science of biscuit making with tips for measuring, mixing methods, and achieving the perfect flaky texture every time.
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Building confidence in multitasking while preparing a balanced and delicious breakfast spread.
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Menu:
Fried or Scrambled Eggs
Homemade Sausage Patties
Fresh Biscuits
Class #5: Baking 101
Skills Covered:
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Developing proficiency in dough handling techniques for shaping and preparing savory baked goods.
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Gaining knowledge of working with different components to create versatile baked items from start to finish.
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Understanding the role and interaction of leavening agents to achieve the desired texture in breads and other baked treats.
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Mastering precise measuring techniques and understanding baking ratios to ensure consistent results in recipes.
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Building confidence in balancing flavors and textures through topping, filling, and finishing techniques.
Menu:
Personal Pepperoni Pizzas
Banana Bread
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Class #6: Creative Cooking Challenge
Skills Covered:
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Applying a full spectrum of learned cooking techniques in a collaborative and imaginative environment.
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Enhancing artistic presentation and attention to detail through meal plating and decoration.
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Growing creative confidence by experimenting with flavor profiles and ingredient combinations.
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Strengthening knife skills, seasoning techniques, and baking fundamentals through hands-on practice.
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Bonus activity includes a brief piping tutorial to develop precision in decorating techniques.
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Menu:
Student-Created Dishes Based on Available Ingredients
Cupcake Decorating
Series Details:
When:
This class runs on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Starting February 24, 2026, for 6 weeks.
The last class is on the March 31, 2026.
April 7, 2026 is reserved in case of make up days due to weather.
Where:
Como Cooks Kitchen
14 Business Loop 70 E
Columbia, Missouri 65203
Who:
Designed for adult beginners. Ages 16 and up are welcome.
Cost:
$425 per person, all-inclusive with no extra fees.
Early Bird Discount:
Sign up by December 22, 2025 using the code "earlybird50"
and receive $50 off your class while seats last.
Allergy Information:
Unfortunately, this class series cannot accommodate gluten or dairy-free dietary needs. For tailored options, please explore our private lessons. If you have other dietary restrictions, contact us before registering to confirm if accommodations can be made.
Ready to unlock your culinary potential?
Book now using the button below.
Seating is limited to the first 8 sign ups!
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