Join us!
Our cooking classes and events are fun, social events perfect for a date or a girls' night out! Our chefs provide you with all the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to master delicious fare. We look forward to hosting you in our kitchen!
We offer private classes for groups of 8 - 12 people, too! Email Jill Means at jillmeans1@gmail.com for details.
Because we plan our class experience based on attendance, our classes are non-refundable. However, participants may send someone in their place if unable to attend.
Sunday Book Club!
This isn’t your ordinary book club but it is certainly Kitchen Collage’s take on one that is for sure. We pick out our favorite book each month and you get to learn how to make 2 to 3 recipes, plus a book to take home.
Demonstration + Tasting at
Location: Kitchen Collage, 430 E. Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Welcome the arrival of summer with a celebration rooted in Nordic flavors and festive simplicity. In this demonstration-style class, we’ll explore a menu inspired by Midsummer traditions—perfect for long, light-filled evenings and leisurely gatherings.
We’ll begin with a traditional Pickled Herring Canapé, followed by a refreshing Cherry Aquavit Tonic—a bright cocktail made with Aquavit, cherry syrup, lime juice, and tonic water.
For the main dish, we’ll demonstrate how to make Salmon “En Papillote”—a stunning oven-poached preparation sealed in parchment and served with a creamy Mustard Dill Sauce. On the side, a colorful Beet and Orange Salad adds a fresh, citrusy note.
To finish, we’ll indulge in Kladdkaka—a rich, gooey Swedish chocolate cake—elevated with Sunday Night Foods' chocolate and caramel sauces and a touch of finishing salt.
Join us for this flavorful journey through Scandinavian summer cuisine—no passport required. You’ll leave with recipes, entertaining inspiration, and a taste of the season.
Class taught by: Chef Cherry Madole
Demonstration + Tasting
Location: Kitchen Collage, 430 E. Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Get ready for a berry special afternoon! Join us for a demonstration-style class where expert jam maker Judy from Berry Patch Farms will be in the house to show us how to make delicious, farm-fresh berry jam. Judy will walk us through the process from fruit to jar, sharing her tips, techniques, and love for preserving the season.
But that's not all—while Judy is jamming, Lana will be baking up tender, buttery scones to pair perfectly with the freshly made jam. You’ll get to taste the magic of this sweet collaboration and take home inspiration for your own kitchen creations.
Whether you're a seasoned canner or a curious beginner, this class will have you dreaming of summer berries all year long.
Come for the jam, stay for the scones—and leave with the know-how to make both!
Demo + Tasting
Location: Kitchen Collage, 430 E. Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Beat the heat and treat yourself to a deliciously cool experience in our Homemade Ice Cream class featuring the Ankarsrum Ice Cream Maker! Whether you're already an Ankarsrum owner or have been curious about this powerhouse kitchen machine, this demonstration-style class is your perfect scoop.
You’ll learn how to make Vanilla Bean and Raspberry ice cream recipe along with one sorbet flavor: Espresso Sorbet- Yes, you can make delicious sorbet with the taste of Espresso. Believe us, this is a true favorite.
Sign up now! This class will sell out quick.
Farmer’s Market Tour + Hands On + Tasting
Location: Kitchen Collage, 430 E. Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Join Chef Nela and Teresa for a deliciously immersive experience that starts at the heart of the Downtown Farmers Market. You'll meet at 8:00 AM (location will be provided after signing up) where Teresa will guide you through the bustling market. We will select the freshest seasonal produce, discover hidden gems from the locals, and gain insight on what to look for.
After gathering your market finds, we will return to Kitchen Collage with our purchases to cook up a meal you’ll want to share with friends and family. Be inspired by Chef Nela's guidance, you'll prep, cook, and enjoy a menu that celebrates the best of what Iowa’s farmers have to offer—all in a relaxed, hands-on cooking class.
Come hungry and curious—this is farm-to-table at its most interactive!
Demonstration + Tasting
Location: Kitchen Collage, 430 E. Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Is there anything more delicious than a slice of homemade pie in the summertime? Join us for a demonstration-style class where beloved pie expert Lana Shope will guide us through the art of making two seasonal classics: Black Raspberry Pie and Fresh Peach Pie.
Lana will share her tried-and-true techniques for flaky crusts, perfectly thickened fillings, and those little touches that turn a good pie into a truly unforgettable one. You’ll get the inside scoop on working with fresh summer fruit and learn how to make the most of the season’s sweetest offerings.
Whether you’re a pie novice or just looking to sharpen your skills, this class is your chance to learn from the best—and of course, taste every bite along the way.
Come celebrate the flavors of summer—one slice at a time!
Class taught by Pies and Pastries, Lana Shope.
Hands On
Location: Kitchen Collage, 430 E. Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Dreaming of the beach? Us too! Let's pretend we're listening to the waves while we decorate a set of 6 beach themed cookies! Angie will spend time showing you how to decorate a beach ball and flip flops along with how to make the royal icing .
Recipe: Frosted Sugar Cookies
Class Taught by: Angie Hidalgo
Demo + Tasting
Location: Kitchen Collage
Spend a flavorful Saturday with Chef Nela Blanco as she brings the vibrant tastes of Latin America to your plate—and your glass!
In this sunny, summer-inspired class, Nela will teach you how to prepare two refreshing styles of ceviche—a bright, peppery version from Costa Rica and a bold, citrusy classic from Peru. You’ll also learn how to make crispy, golden tostones (twice-fried plantains) and shake up a homemade margarita using only the freshest ingredients.
Menu:
Costa Rican Ceviche – Fresh fish marinated in lime juice with sweet peppers, cilantro, and onion.
Peruvian Ceviche – A zesty, citrus-marinated seafood dish with a little kick.
Tostones – Twice-fried green plantains, crisped to perfection and served with savory dipping sauces.
Fresh Margaritas – Balanced, citrus-forward, and totally refreshing.
Perfect for summer entertaining or a relaxing afternoon with friends—come sip, snack, and soak up the inspiration for your next patio dinner party!
Class taught by Chef Nela Blanco.