Easy and Elegant French Cooking Class with Wine near Laguna Beach
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience a unique French-Californian cooking class in a stunning Southern California coastal home with Ann and Rick. This warm, food-loving couple brings a wealth of culinary knowledge from travels and training, blending classic French techniques with fresh Californian produce. Savor the joy of cooking and dining with locals who love to entertain in style, just minutes from the Ritz Carlton and Waldorf Astoria in Dana Point.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Meet your hosts at their beautiful home in Dana Point, just minutes from Laguna Beach and neighboring the Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria hotels. Begin your culinary experience with a welcome cocktail and appetizer while discussing the menu and recipes for the day. Step into Ann’s spacious kitchen for an intimate, small-group, hands-on cooking class where you'll prepare a seasonal French-Californian meal from scratch. Throughout the class, Ann will guide you through classic French techniques adapted to highlight the freshness of local Californian produce. You’ll learn how to make the creamiest mashed potatoes using a foolproof method, braise green beans to perfection, and prepare a Parisian favorite, chicken with morels. For dessert, master the art of making choux pastry to create decadent cream puffs (surprisingly simple and incredibly satisfying!). After cooking, sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared, paired with thoughtfully selected French wines. Each guest will receive printed copies of the recipes to recreate the dishes at home, along with a small keepsake to remember your time in Dana Point.
Sample Menu
starter
Baguette with butter
starter
Fresh seasonal salad in a lemon, honey and olive oil dressing
main
Chicken with morels in a French cream sauce
served atop creamy whipped potatoes and braised green beans
dessert
Cream puffs, filled with fresh whipped cream
What‘s Included
Get recommendations for favorite locals spots in the city
French-Californian cooking class with Ann
French wine
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Cooking + Lunch with Ann
Cooking + Dinner with Ann
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
French cooking with beautiful people and delicious food
Mike V,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An elegant and approachable French cooking experience near Dana Point graciously hosted by Ann and Rick. We enjoyed a truly delightful evening as both couples prepared and savored a beautifully crafted meal together. Their home alone is worth the adventure — thoughtfully designed, beautifully appointed, and centered around a well-stocked kitchen that inspires creativity. From the warm welcome at the door to the heartfelt farewell, we felt less like guests and more like family. The instruction was clear, engaging, and informative, making every step enjoyable. Ann’s guidance on creating choux à la crème (cream puff pastry) was wonderfully simple and confidence-building. The best part? The intoxicating aroma that filled the room as everything baked. Well — perhaps the second best. Sharing the finished meal family-style around the table was truly the highlight of the evening. An experience we would gladly repeat
Amazing cooking class in SoCal
Matt O,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Using the word “phenomenal” isn’t enough. This cooking class was truly the highlight of my vacation. Upon entry greeted with a cocktail and light snacks while conversation naturally flowed. Moving into the kitchen with all ingredients readily prepared and instructions presented & easy to follow. Ann carefully crafted recipes to create an unforgettable meal. Carefully walking us through the process of all elements of the meal. We enjoyed lunch with wine, candles, and an unforgettable experience/meal. 10/10 recommended and can’t wait to go back. A beautiful couple with amazing story’s and unforgettable laughs. We will never forget her husband that is hands down the best at entertaining, interacting, and sous chef lol.
We had such a great time...
Mary R,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had such a great time cooking with Ann and Rick in Dana Point. They kicked things off with delicious cocktails and appetizers, which was the perfect way to ease into the experience and get everyone excited to cook. The French menu was fantastic, and Ann was an amazing teacher — clear, approachable, and fun to learn from. Everyone in our family felt included and genuinely enjoyed the process from start to finish. Rick was a wonderful co-host and helped keep the whole experience fun and laid-back. By the time we sat down to enjoy everything we had cooked together, it felt like one of those special meals you’ll be talking about long after it’s over. This was such a memorable experience and a highlight of our trip — we’d absolutely do it again and couldn’t recommend Ann and Rick more.
A Really Lovely Afternoon of Cooking
H8149PXelizabethr,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a great time cooking with Ann and Rick in Dana Point. They kicked things off with delicious cocktails and appetizers, which was the perfect way to ease into the experience and get everyone excited to cook. The French menu was fantastic, and Ann was an amazing teacher — clear, approachable, and fun to learn from. Everyone in our family felt included and genuinely enjoyed the process from start to finish. Rick was a wonderful co-host and helped keep the whole experience fun and laid-back. By the time we sat down to enjoy everything we had cooked together, it felt like one of those special meals you’ll be talking about long after it’s over. This was such a memorable experience and a highlight of our trip — we’d absolutely do it again and couldn’t recommend Ann and Rick more.
Mesmerizing Experience with Amazing Neighbors
Guide49251837824,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ann and Rick are welcoming and delightful hosts. They made this special cooking class (my birthday gift from daughter and sister) an especially wonderful experience. Their genuineness and enthusiasm for this class experience could not be better. Our entire visit was 3-1/2 hours which just FLEW by. The welcoming pitcher of French 75 champagne cocktails was the perfect introduction to a cooking class on January 1st. We proceeded to prepare our joint meal with instructions and supervision from Ann and support from Rick. As you'd expect, the entire meal was devine. Also, because of my birthday, my daughter brought a cake, which we enjoyed after our meal. Our Party of Three was unamimous that we want to book another future lesson with Ann and Rick to share this experience with other friends.
Amazing French cuisine cooking class
Ann H,,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was beyond everything we expected and more. It was truly an amazing experience. We were warmly welcomed by Rick and Ann - our hosts. They are such a wonderful couple. In the kitchen we chatted, laughed, learned a lot, prepared and cooked one of the most delicious flavorsome French meals. We sat with our new found friends enjoying the fruits of our labor. We got to take extras and recipes home. My daughter and I would highly recommend. A fantastic gift idea for a foodie or non-foodie alike, a girls night out or for the person or couple who has everything. 10/10.
Absolutely INCREDIBLE experience! ❤️
P9725EDelainew,,Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’ve always enjoyed taking cooking classes whenever I get a chance and without a doubt this was the BEST experience ever! Like having an amazing home-cooked, delicious French meal and wine with new friends in their gorgeous, stately Dana Point home. Ann and Rick, the hosts, are so warm and welcoming, interesting and really fun! Hands on experience helping prepare the “WOW” French meal (with take-home recipes). 👩🍳🇫🇷🍷🎉 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Wonderful experience in Dana Point!
H1946VUelliem,,Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an absolutely fabulous experience! I highly recommend it for all! The food was incredible and the host was warm and fun!!!
5 Star experience cooking with Ann ind Rick in their beautiful home
Tim C,,Jun 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What a fabulous experience we had cooking, enjoying great wine and eating the most amazing French meal with Ann and Rick in their beautiful home in Dana Point. We highly recommend this unique cooking class and look forward to returning with the rest of our kids when we have our next family reunion.
Related Experiences
Operated by Traveling Spoon