Cooking & Culinary

Cooking & Culinary

Explore Culinary Arts at Iowa Western Community College!

Our hands-on cooking and culinary classes are designed for beginners, home cooks, and aspiring chefs who want to further develop their kitchen skills or to learn more about the culinary arts. Learn essential cooking techniques, baking fundamentals, food safety, and international cuisine in a professional kitchen environment. Whether you’re interested in professional culinary training or personal enrichment, Iowa Western offers flexible, affordable culinary programs that bring your passion for food to life! 

Available Courses

   01/09/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Friday, January 9, 2026  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Student Center 
Prepare to transform flour, water, and yeast into an extraordinary culinary creation. Join Chef Tasos for an exceptional, hands-on baking experience where you will uncover the intricacies of authentic artisan bread.
In this engaging and interactive course, you will knead, shape, score, and bake your way to achieving unparalleled bread perfection. Master the art of dough preparation and fermentation, and discover the significance of an optimal flour blend. We will guide you in crafting loaves of professional bakery quality that will undoubtedly elicit inquiries regarding their origin.
Menu • Rosemary & Roasted Garlic Focaccia • Dutch Oven No Knead Bread • Ciabatta

Start Date: 01/09/2026
End Date: 01/09/2026
Seats Available: 1
Cost: $35
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   01/16/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Friday, January 16, 2026 6:00 PM-9:00 PM-Student Center 
Embark on a culinary adventure to the breathtaking Mediterranean coasts without leaving Council Bluffs! Join Chef Tasos for a vibrant, hands-on cooking class that will transport you to the heart of Greece, Tuscany, and Morocco. You'll create dishes bursting with the bold, sun-drenched flavors of this iconic region. Get ready for a feast of flaming cheese, flaky pastries, and succulent meats – Each bite is a dance for your taste buds! Menu: Fresh Homemade Naan Bread, Saganaki – Flaming Greek cheese, Spanakopita – Buttery, golden pastries stuffed with spinach and tangy feta, Soutzoukakia: Greek baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Seared Salmon with Rosé Pan Sauce – Tender, flaky salmon bathed in a luscious, aromatic rosé sauce.
Scratch-Made Baklava 

Start Date: 01/16/2026
End Date: 01/16/2026
Seats Available: 0
Cost: $60
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Sorry, Registration Full
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   02/13/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Friday, February 13, 2026  6:00 pm – 8:30 pm    Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
Come hang out with Chef Tasos and friends for a super fun, hands-on pasta-making class! You'll totally level up your cooking game as you discover how to whip up authentic handmade pasta. We'll cover everything, from rolling out that silky dough like a pro to mastering the art of filling and shaping delicious tortellini. Every single step, from kneading and shaping to simmering and saucing, will be a total celebration of traditional flavors.
Menu • Spinach & Cheese Tortellini in Brown Butter & Sage • Tortellini in Brodo – Tortellini in Broth, Bologna Style • Sicilian Ricotta Cake
 

Start Date: 02/13/2026
End Date: 02/13/2026
Seats Available: 17
Cost: $40
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   02/28/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Saturday, February 28, 2026  6:00PM – 8:30 PM   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
Ever wanted to master Neapolitan pizza? This is your chance! We'll teach you the secret to that perfectly crunchy and airy dough, whip up some homemade sauce, and even do a little tasting. You'll go home with dough ready for its second rise, any leftover pizza and calzone (if there are any!), and recipes to seriously impress your friends and fam.
Menu • Pepperoni Pizza • Caprese Pizza • Calzone with Ricotta filling

Start Date: 02/28/2026
End Date: 02/28/2026
Seats Available: 9
Cost: $40
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   03/07/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Saturday, March 7th, 2026  6:00 pm – 8:30 pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
Join us for “An Evening in a French Bistro”, an immersive culinary experience in our kitchen. This class offers hands-on instruction and demonstrations, teaching you to craft classic French dishes, from savory sauces and perfectly seared proteins to an elegant dessert. Discover the romance and refinement of French cuisine in an accessible and engaging way. Perfect for a romantic evening, friends, or fellow food enthusiasts, this event promises shared camaraderie, Parisian-style dining, and the joy of French cooking without leaving town.
Menu • French Onion Soup Gratinée • Steak Diane with Mushroom Sauce • Potatoes Au Gratin (Dauphinoise) • Fresh Berry Crème Brûlée

 

Start Date: 03/07/2026
End Date: 03/07/2026
Seats Available: 15
Cost: $59
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   03/14/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Saturday, March 14th, 2026 | 6 pm – 8:30 pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center
Ready to bring your favorite Indian restaurant dishes into your own kitchen? We're diving deep into those amazing, complex flavors and exploring the vibrant spices that make Indian cuisine so special.
Menu • Cucumber Raita • Butter Chicken • Saag Paneer • Naan Bread

Start Date: 03/14/2026
End Date: 03/14/2026
Seats Available: 17
Cost: $40
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   04/10/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Friday, April 10th, 2026 | 6 pm – 8:30 pm Council Bluffs Campus
The plant-forward movement is huge, and it all starts with you! Learn some awesome plant-based recipes and make veggies the star of your plate. Menu • Avocado Toast with Grilled Asparagus and Tomato • Grilled Zucchini Kebob w/ Chamula • Honey and Cumin Roasted Carrots with Farro and Ricotta    
 

Start Date: 04/10/2026
End Date: 04/10/2026
Seats Available: 17
Cost: $35
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm
   04/24/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus

Friday, April 24, 2026  6:00pm – 8:30pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center
Risotto Milanese is a total Italian classic, packed with saffron and parmesan flavors. You'll learn how to nail a great risotto every time. And then there's Tiramisu – Italy's signature dessert with that delicate combo of cream, chocolate, and coffee that always hits the spot.
Menu • Risotto Milanese • Seared Chicken with Fresh Herbs • Tiramisu
 

Start Date: 04/24/2026
End Date: 04/24/2026
Seats Available: 17
Cost: $40
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/04/2025 5:05 pm