Culinary Experiences are interactive cooking competitions designed for people who love to watch cooking competition shows, and have always wanted to try it for themselves.

These experiences are designed for:

• Friends and family gatherings

• Visitors to Sonoma County

• Locals looking for a group activity

• Corporate or team-building groups

• Wine club groups and special interest groups

No professional cooking experience required!

Most experiences are designed for adults. There are three options to consider in designing your experience:

1. Adults over 18 only;

2. Mixed group of adults over 18 and teens aged 11-18;

3. Teen groups aged 11-18 only

We will work together to design the perfect experience for your group, regardless of age!

No. Experiences are designed to be approachable and enjoyable for all skill levels. A little experience in the kitchen is helpful, but your group will work in teams, so you will likely have at least a few people with experience.

Locations vary based on your group’s needs.

• Small groups (6-12) can often use a standard size kitchen, either at your own home, or a rental property for visitors

• Large groups (12-16), or those in need of a larger space, can use the Cooking for a Crowd kitchen

Group sizes vary depending on the experience, but most events are designed for medium-sized groups. Since the experiences are competition based, the minimum group size is six people. Teams will be divided into groups of three or four, depending on group size. The maximum size is 16 people.

If you are interested in a larger experience, we can work together to provide it. (Our biggest group has been 50 people!)

If your group is smaller than six, contact us, and we can try to schedule two smaller groups together. The nature of the competition requires at least six people.

Pricing includes:

• All food & ingredients

• At least two hosts, or more, depending on group size

• Setup & cleanup related to the experience

• Any additional costs (such as wine purchases or venue fees if needed) will be clearly stated and agreed upon in advance

Pricing varies by experience and group size. Most experiences start at a per-person rate, with add on item pricing available upon request. Current pricing will always be listed on the experiences page.

Yes! All experiences are private experiences!

No. We are not licensed to provide alcoholic beverages, and you will be using knives!

Depending on location of the experience, you may be able to offer your own drinks following the competition, while you eat and judge each other.

Yes, many dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice, including vegetarian and gluten-free. Please share any restrictions when booking.

Most experiences require nothing beyond comfortable clothing and a willingness to participate. Any specific requirements will be communicated in advance. If you have long hair, bring something to tie it back.

We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, especially for weekends and peak travel seasons.

Cancellation policies will be clearly outlined at the time of your booking. Because food needs to be purchased in advance, experiences must be cancelled at least three days prior to the event, and may incur a cancellation penalty.

Tipping is never required but is always appreciated if you feel the experience exceeded expectations.

Experiences can be booked directly through our website. Fill out the contact form, and we will get back to you to determine group size, date & time, and help you choose the best combination of experiences to suit your group.

Experiences are hosted by Cooking for a Crowd. Depending on the size of your group, you will have at least two people hosting. They will lead all activities, setup and cleanup related to the experience, and make sure you and your group have the best time possible!

If you’re unsure which experience fits your group, reach out — we’re happy to help you choose or create something that works.