If your idea of cooking means firing up the microwave, you may need some refresher courses, or an entire curriculum to bring out the Julia Child from within for help visit www.cat-head-biscuit.com. How to Save Money by Taking Cooking Classes:

* Go to a couples cooking class on a Friday night. Forget about an expensive dinner and a movie. Instead, take your sweetie to a cooking class for two at your local supermarket. Many grocery stores offer classes, especially around the holidays. Often, you'll learn how to create a full, gourmet meal that you get to eat at the end of class! You'll probably end up spending a lot less than you would have if you'd dined at a four star restaurant, and now you have some recipes you can try next Friday night!

* Check community colleges and hospitals for discount culinary classes. Peruse the brochures you get in the mail from local colleges advertising adult continuing education classes. They often offer cooking classes at very reasonable prices. But remember, the better the price and the more popular the dish, the faster the class will fill up. If you are interested in learning to cook low-sodium or heart-healthy meals, hospitals are the place to go for inexpensive cooking classes at great prices. They will have you cooking healthy in no time. And you might even get hooked on a healthier lifestyle. Often, you'll hear nutrition and exercise tips along with cooking advice. Check your local medical center's web site, or call the community resources department for class schedules.

* Search for coupons. You never know where you might find a coupon for your favorite cooking class. Do an online search, and before you sign up for a class at a supermarket, ask if there are any discounts. You might find it's cheaper and more fun to get a bunch of friends together for a cooking class and receive a group discount. Also, parent-child classes are fun and cheap! Often kids can attend free or at a cheaper price. You will both enjoy learning together.

How to Get More out of a Cooking Class:

Pay attention! It's easy to get wrapped up in the instructions when you're in the middle of a class. But don't get too consumed with the actual dish preparation. Be sure to pay attention to the chef and watch his/her techniques carefully for help visit www.150-venison-recipes.com. The art of cooking is more than simply following a recipe. Most chefs have a finesse about them and a flair with food that makes them successful. If you pick up on their talents, you'll have an easier time replicating the same techniques in your own kitchen.