fairway launches a cooking school

With the June 15 opening of The Cooking Place, Upper West Siders can now hone their culinary skills at their neighborhood grocer, Fairway Market. The West Side institution is offering over 100 classes designed by Chef Laura Licona, accessible to both experienced and novice cooks.

“At The Cooking Place, we bring more to the table than just food. We bring the same passion, dedication and philosophy about fooding that fills every aisle in our stores,” Licona said. “We believe that food draws people together, creating memories and friendships that will last long after the last bite of dessert is gone.”

The Cooking Place will host a daily schedule of classes in the renovated second floor of the chain’s flagship store at 74th Street and Broadway. Guests can learn the basics of baking, how to sharpen their knife skills, how to make homemade pasta. They can also try their hand at a variety of global cuisines such as Chinese takeout, Spanish tapas, Japanese sushi, Korean BBQ and Parisian Steakhouse. The school offers date-night specials and afternoon lessons for children and teens. Prices vary between $75 and $90 per class.

Courses will be taught by Licona, the executive chef of the adjoining café. A New Mexico native, Licona has traveled the world as a food anthropologist and chef. She studied environmental and food anthropology in a doctorate program at the University of Washington and subsequently attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Seattle.

“My food journey started at a very young age growing, raising and cooking food in a land steeped in heritage and rooted in culture and tradition,” Licona said. “I’ve had the honor of learning from culinary pioneers on both coasts, working with chefs who helped hone my passion and art, owning my own restaurant and eventually working as the executive chef at Giorgio’s of Gramercy here in New York City.”

Customers can book their classes online at TheCookingPlace.com. Available courses are currently scheduled through July.