6 Cooking Classes in Hawaii Worth Booking

1.Hands-On Hawaiian Imu Cooking and Cultural Dining Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $150Our pick

Meet the Men of Pa’a in Pāhoa for a four-hour, hands-on Hawaiian cooking experience. You’ll help build an imu, an underground oven, learn about food, family, and land, then share kalua pork, chicken, vegetables, and kulolo. Iopa Maunakea is associated with Imu Mea ’Ai Food Tour Hawaii, and the activity is conducted in English.

“This is a highlight of our trip! Our family loved this experience and loved the food. It’s a gift to be given the opportunity to be apart of Hawaii culture and learn from the Men of Pa’a”

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2.Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

At Lā Kāhea Community Farm, Janelle introduces you to Maui farming and fresh produce before Catherine leads a hands-on taco class. You’ll make tortillas, prepare a farm-sourced lunch, and eat together on the property. The class lasts about 2.5 hours, welcomes vegetarians and gluten-free diners, and can be adapted for vegans.

“The lunch we prepared. It was very tasty! The host was very informative about the kind of farming they do.”

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3.Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $169

At Kulaniapia Farms near Hilo, you’ll tour tropical gardens, harvest seasonal produce, and prepare a plant-based lunch in a restored barn kitchen. Guides such as Natalie, Davey, Adrian, and Ayden have led sessions, though staff rotate. Expect a small group of up to eight, views toward Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea, and uneven farm paths.

“This was a great laid back and relaxing experience, had so much fun! Picked our own ingredients and then got to enjoy them in our meal. Small group was the way to enjoy this the most. There were just 4 of us. 4-6 is a perfect size for this experience.”

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4.Corner Store Kauai Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $173

Join Aletha and, at times, her daughter Anneka for a three-hour hands-on class near Koloa and Poipu. You’ll prepare musubi, somen salad, two kinds of ahi poke, and butter mochi while learning how local mom-and-pop store foods connect to Kauai’s cultures. The class welcomes up to 12 people and includes recipes to take home.

“Such a fun way to spend a few hours making Hawaiian style foods and learning about Kauai. We made 4 different dishes of which we’ll be making again once home. The kitchen was clean and everything was prepared ahead of time for ease and efficiency. We participated in putting together the dishes and then tasted them. Her instructions were easy to follow even if you were initially not comfortable working with item. Althea was professional, warm, and welcoming. Next time visiting the island we’ll be doing another class.”

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5.Private Chef, Catering and Cooking Classes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $285

Meet Chef Andy and Sam in Kilauea at 5:30 pm for a private, three-hour cooking and dining experience built around Kauai ingredients. You may learn techniques such as sushi rolling, help prepare a custom menu, and enjoy locally sourced seafood, meat, produce, and tropical fruit with your own group.

“Andy does an excellent job of balancing creative flavors and classics. At our meal, the creative flavor was a delicious ice cream with a Hawaiian fruit that I had never heard of. The classic was perfectly cooked local fish, served simply with herbRead more”

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6.Baumkuchen Campfire Baking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65Best value

At Baumkuchen Farm near Papaikou, you’ll learn about tree cake, taste fresh baumkuchen, and wrap dough around a stick to bake your own baumstriezel over a campfire. The 90-minute English-language class costs $65, includes toppings, and runs under shelter even when rain rolls in.

“This is a unique opportunity to combine Hawaiian and German cultures. Loved the farm and the class. The chocolate dipping sauce - yum!!”

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