The Cooking School at Irwin Street

Saturday, January 18, 2014

I am a self proclaimed foodie. I love to try unique types and styles of food and experimenting with recipes both old and new. I am in the kitchen always trying to come up with something original for dinner and I enjoy trying restaurants I have never been to before. It only makes sense that I would come up with a photo feature involving cooking classes and people learning to improve their skills in the kitchen. The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta is one of many place in the metro area you can do just that. Nestled behind the Irwin Street Market, which in itself is eclectic and retro, the cooking school sports a working space for at least 10, all of the necessary tools and equipment and a large family style table to enjoy the finished fruits of labor with your new friends. I spent some time with a group of students as they made handmade ravioli with Chef Sandy Houdeshell during the Pastabilities class.  Sandy was friendly, knowledgeable and hilarious as she guided the class through the steps to making a great dinner.

Ingredients sit on the counter at The Cooking School at Irwin Street before the start of the Pastabilities class on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Ingredients sit on the counter at The Cooking School at Irwin Street before the start of the Pastabilities class on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Chef Sandy Houdeshell (left) talks to her students during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Chef Sandy Houdeshell (left) talks to her students during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Ingredients sit on the counter at The Cooking School at Irwin Street before the start of the Pastabilities class on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Ingredients sit on the counter at The Cooking School at Irwin Street before the start of the Pastabilities class on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Chef Sandy Houdeshell (center) talks to her students during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Chef Sandy Houdeshell (center) talks to her students during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Danielle Zamarelli (left) and Chris Akavi pick basil leaves as they prepare handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Danielle Zamarelli (left) and Chris Akavi pick basil leaves as they prepare handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Chef Sandy Houdeshell (left) prepares a pesto sauce during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Chef Sandy Houdeshell (left) prepares a pesto sauce during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Rachel Shin (right) presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Rachel Shin (right) presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Elisa Gumbel (left) presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Elisa Gumbel (left) presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Krista Nelson (left) and Maria James press eggs into their dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Krista Nelson (left) and Maria James press eggs into their dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Rachel Shin presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Rachel Shin presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Mayu Arita (center) presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Mayu Arita (center) presses eggs into her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Danielle Zamarelli (left) and Chris Akavi press thier dough as they prepare handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Danielle Zamarelli (left) and Chris Akavi press thier dough as they prepare handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Krista Nelson uses a rolling pin to press her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Krista Nelson uses a rolling pin to press her dough during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Anne Hodges (right) cuts her dough into squares as she prepares her handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Anne Hodges (right) cuts her dough into squares as she prepares her handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Elisa Gumbel (right) and Mayu Arita prepare their dough for ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Elisa Gumbel (right) and Mayu Arita prepare their dough for ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Danielle Zamarelli cuts her dough into squares as she prepares her handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Danielle Zamarelli cuts her dough into squares as she prepares her handmade ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Maria James uses a rolling pin topress her dough as her husband Les fills his ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Maria James uses a rolling pin topress her dough as her husband Les fills his ravioli during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

 

Danielle Zamarelli uses a fork to press her handmade ravioli together during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Danielle Zamarelli uses a fork to press her handmade ravioli together during the Pastabilities class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta on Saturday, January 18, 2014.