An intimidating menu and four hours of hands-on cooking was quickly brought down to size by the easy smiles and quirky humor of chef/owner Denise Norton, who at one point sang the differences between potato varieties a la "West Side Story" in a song that featured the "waxies" and "starchies."

This Forest Park teaching kitchen, surrounded by the shop's retail racks, is bright and airy, and aside from learning (and tasting) a slew of comfort food dishes, the class highlight was Norton's no-kidding demand that everyone take a turn spreading herbed oil under the turkey's skin, as if knowing that without that task under our aprons most of us would chicken out at home. Daily classes cost $50 (demo) to $70.

Flavour also offers couples, wine tasting and kid's classes.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kate Rockwood