Summer cooking classes start on June 5

Our long-running Principles of Ethnic Cooking series at Urbana Park District's Phillips Recreation Center is now in its third year. This is a hands-on cooking class series where all students will participate in the preparation of all the dishes on the menu. Do come hungry and thirsty because the tuition includes a multi-course dinner during the second half of the class when you will be eating everything you cooked that evening.

Every season, we will explore three different ethnic cuisines, and this summer is no different. Here's this summer's schedule:

• June 5: Thai Night Market with Paul Young
• July 10: Taste of Kazakhstan with Aliya Dosmanbetova (sold out)
• August 7: Vegan Soul with Darlene Anderson

In each of these classes, we will deconstruct ethnic recipes and break down the flavor principles of each culinary tradition. Learn how to make anything taste ethnic by following a few master recipes and utilizing simple flavor principles. By the end of the series, you will be able to customize flavor profiles and adjust recipes like a pro.

Students will leave each session with easy-to-follow recipes of all the dishes on the menu. These recipes have all been adapted for the typical home cook and contain many tips & tricks to help minimize your time in the kitchen while staying true to the spirit of the original ethnic flavors.

The "early bird" tuition is only $40 per class for residents. These intimate, hands-on cooking classes only have 12 seats, so reserve early. Full menu and details are here: www.cooking-with-paul.com/upd-2025-summer.html.

Want to become a guest chef in one of my classes? Just send me an email. I'm also open to future cuisine requests and suggestions! 

More information about my cooking classes and pop-up events can always be found on my website, where you'll also find over 200 recipes from my classes (no ads!). You can also subscribe to my email newsletter or follow me on Instagram or Facebook and like my posts. Bon appétit!