All classes are held at Como Cooks Kitchen, 14 Business Loop 70 E, Columbia, MO 65201. Como Cooks is a shared commercial kitchen, which means other chefs may be working in their own spaces in the building while class is going on. For parking details and arrival info, visit the About page.

What to bring: Mostly just yourself. Aprons and bottled water are provided. If you'd rather bring your own apron or outside drink, that's fine too. The one exception is food allergies or dietary restrictions: depending on what you need, I may ask you to bring your own specialty ingredients, which is one more reason to check with me BEFORE you sign up.

When you arrive: Plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before class starts. The front door is unlocked 10 minutes prior. Walk in, look for the sign in the lobby, and wait there. Two bathrooms are available off the lobby and bottled water is set out. I'll come up to get everyone when it's time to start. If the door is unlocked and the sign tells you to go to the back, that means I've already gotten the rest of the group, so keep walking toward the back of the building until you see us.

What happens in class: Grab an apron, wash hands, and find a station. Your bag and belongings go under your workstation, and in coat season I'll show you a dedicated spot for jackets. You'll work hands-on with me to prepare the dishes while learning real-life skills you can use at home. A digital copy of every recipe gets sent to you so you'll never lose it, and printed copies are available in class if you'd rather follow along on paper.

What you eat and take home: I provide all the food. Most classes you'll eat some at the kitchen and take the rest home. Some classes you'll eat everything in class, some you'll take everything home, depending on the menu.

It depends on the class.

• Mini Chef (ages 3 to 6): One parent per child attends as their child's assistant chef. The parent ticket is included.

• Kids Culinary Cooking Club (ages 7 to 12): One parent per child may stay to observe only. If you want to cook alongside your child, book Junior Chefs N Chaperones instead, which is designed for adult-and-kid pairs cooking together.

• All other classes: Everyone attending needs their own ticket. Como Cooks is a shared commercial kitchen and other chefs are often working in their own spaces at the same time, so I have to limit how many people come into the building.

Just like theater shows, ticket sales are final.

Cancellations made 7 or more days before the class can be applied as a credit toward a future class.

Cancellations inside 7 days are not eligible for credit or refund. The only exception is unavoidable circumstances on my end that lead to a cancellation, such as weather or a kitchen emergency, in which case credits are issued for everyone affected.

No cash refunds.

Absolutely! As long as they meet the age requirements for the class and do not have any dietary restrictions just send them in your place.

Email or text Chef Ashley directly and I'll take care of it for you. (No phone calls for reschedules, please.)

If you already know which class you'd like to reschedule into, and you're contacting me 7 or more days before your original class, include that in your message and I can move you over in one step.

Yes. Gift cards are available and never expire (purchased gift cards only, not raffle or fundraiser donations).

Once purchased, the recipient is emailed a printable gift card with a unique code. To redeem, the recipient signs up for a class through the normal booking page. On the second page of checkout, where it says "Package, gift or coupon code," they click the plus sign, enter their code in the drop-down, and hit apply. A green check mark confirms the amount was applied.

If there is a remaining balance after a class is booked, it stays attached to the code and can be used again until the balance is gone. Gift cards work for any class with no restrictions. Not refundable once purchased.

Contact Chef Ashley FIRST, before you book.

Some restrictions can be accommodated for classes with advance notice, but the honest answer depends on the class, the menu, and what's being prepared around it in a shared kitchen.

Therefore, I'd rather talk it through with you up front to ensure it is workable before signing up!

For safety reasons, please wear:

• Closed-toe shoes

• No loose-fitting sleeves

• Hair shoulder-length or longer pulled back

The kitchen runs hot despite the AC, so dress accordingly, especially in the summer months. Aprons are provided, but you can always bring yours if it is preferred!

There are several options, depending on your child's age and what you'd like to make!

Kids and family classes:

• Mini Chef (ages 3 to 6): One parent attends as the child's assistant chef. One hour. Best for the very young end.

• Junior Chefs N Chaperones (ages 7+): Adult-and-kid pairs cooking together one-on-one. Two hours. The whole point is uninterrupted time with your kid, and I do the dishes.

Specialty workshops kids can attend with an adult:

• Holiday Treats Workshop (ages 6+ with an adult): One ticket gets two people in, an adult and a kid as a pair. Seasonal class, sells out fast.

• Sushi Party (ages 7 to 11 with an adult, or 12+ on their own): Kids 7 to 11 must attend with an adult. Each person needs their own ticket. Kids 12 and up can join solo or with someone else.

• Cake Decorating 101 (ages 7 to 11 with an adult, or 12+ on their own): Same rules as Sushi Party. Each person needs their own ticket. Kids 12 and up can join solo or with someone else.

Private bookings:

• Lessons for Two: A private session for one adult-kid pair. Two hours, just you and your kid, menu picked to what you want to learn. The most one-on-one option in the lineup.

• Private Group Classes: The Private Group Classes format is mostly adults, but kids can be included when you want them there. Kids aren't priced any cheaper, but they're welcome. Good for extended family gatherings and holiday visits. Send a message to plan the menu and group.

What classes are adults only?

The adults-only formats are:

• Everyday Cooking Club: Ongoing skill-building, one class at a time. Solo, with a friend, or in a small group.

• Cooks in the Making: A 6-week series that takes a beginner home cook from "I can follow a recipe" to "I can walk into a kitchen and make a meal from what's there."

• Cooking Date Night: 4 couples per session, 2.5 hours, structured romantic date that happens to involve cooking.

• Lessons for Two: A private session for one pair. Couples, mother and adult daughter, friend pairs marking a milestone.

• Private Group Classes: Book the kitchen for your own group. 12 menus to choose from, group sizes 5 to 24. Good for team building, corporate events, friend group gatherings, and adult birthdays. Kids can be included on request but the format is built for adults.

Specialty Workshops (Cake Decorating 101, Sushi Party, Holiday Treats Workshop) are not adults-only. Most allow kids to attend with an adult. See Q11 above for age rules on those.

See all adult classes or Private Group Classes.

Private Group Classes are built for this!

12 menus across two categories (skill building and full meal), priced per person based on group size and menu choice. Groups from 5 to 24.

The class is held privately for your group. No strangers in your class. The team walks in already knowing each other, which means the time is spent actually doing something together instead of warming up with introductions.

See Private Group Classes for menus and pricing, or send a message to start a custom quote.

The strongest gifts depend on the recipient:

• For a couple: Cooking Date Night or Lessons for Two.

• For a parent or grandparent and a young kid: A Mini Chef pre-purchase pack (buy 4 get 1 free, offered around the holidays).

• For an adult who loves to cook: A gift card they can apply to any class, or a seat to the Everyday Cooking Club.

• For someone wanting to learn a new skill: Cake Decorating 101 or Sushi Party.

If you're not sure which class fits, a gift card never expires and can be used toward any class in the lineup.

Send Chef Ashley a text and she will get back to you asap!

(573)268-2248