Sweet Basil Culinary Center & Cooking School, Scottsdale AZ

Know before you go…we had a lovely morning at the French Pastry “class. ” The entire staff was nice and knowledgeable.

However, we would describe this as an activity and not a class, as there was minimal technique, discussion or demonstration of any skills or food chemistry unless the audience asked. We were assigned a simple 3-ingredient recipe and made only that, so there was no exposure to different techniques or recipes.

All the dishes were surprisingly simple and required no unique skills, ingredients or knowledge. One recipe was merely assembling ingredients atop store-bought bread.

While we were disappointed in the format, the delicious recipes are simple, traditional and will be easily replicated at home, which is a win. But for the cost, we wanted to learn something, not just go home with a recipe.

Would recommend the group classes as a casual girls day, date night or fun activity with out of town guests, or even for someone just starting to cook, but not for those interested in a “cooking class. ”

Signed my daughter up for a gingerbread house decorating class. The class cost $89. The kids were given houses that were purchased at Costco for $13 to decorate. They even gave us the boxes they came in which is why I know they are from Costco. The class was supposed to be 3 hours, but was shortened to 2 hours by the staff/owner without any notice or ability to cancel nor compensation. The owner didn’t have enough aprons for everyone allegedly because of a class the night before. The kids weren’t allowed to start decorating until Joan Di’Atri was finished making her frosting that was terribly thin and didn’t hold anything. Would have rather had the frosting from the box as nothing stuck to the house. My daughter only finished one side of her house. She was upset so the women at the register said she could take a small baggy and get more candy to decorate at home. When she was picking out her few additional pieces of candy, the owner became upset (she’s very rude by the way!) and told one boy that she had no idea what was going on and he was not allowed to touch the leftover candy. Why? Because she was putting it in individual baggies! Gross! She should have been dumping it into the garbage. She was going to use the candy again? ! Why else would she separate it into baggies? After an entire class had their hands in it and were eating it playing with it etc. Made me want to throw up and call the health department immediately! I used to love this place, in its old location. Never again will I go back!

I absolutely love this store and the staff are so helpful. We were looking for a good springform pan and the owner was able to recommend just the one. This place is great if you are looking for quality kitchen stuff.

I was given the gift of a class in 2021 from my mom but I wasn’t able to attend because I had a nursing baby and that didn’t seem conducive to the group class. I canceled and was assured that I would have a credit either for another class or to use in the store. After a crazy year I finally called back to check in on the status of my credit. I was told that I wouldn’t be allowed to apply the $150 because it had been too long. It would have been more appropriate to tell me there was a limit of time to my credit. I will not be supporting this business or recommending them to anyone due to their lack of transparency and flexibility.

Our leader was informative and kind.my mother and I came for a class on our vacation! We learned new things about cooking with fresh produce and techniques. We always have a good laugh at each other! There was enough people in the class we still felt safe.

My daughter gave me a $100 gift certificate to sweet Basil for Christmas. I was so excited, because she had heard me talk about how much I enjoyed the classes. I booked a class for this past Saturday. Saturday morning I was walking my dog and another loose dog came and attacked my dog. Eight hours later, after being in the emergency hospital for dogs, I finally got home. I made a point of calling as soon as it happened because I knew that I didn’t wanna disrupt the class. After I told the owner what happened she was sympathetic, but has insisted that I cannot get my money back. She said it wasn’t 72 hours notice. Well, it happened that morning. I think she could’ve made an exception. Furthermore, the two people that I recommended come with me, also found her very rude in the store itself. Anyway, in my opinion, The owner is being petty. There were 12 other people in the class. Shame on her: heartless and stingy. MARTY SULLIVAN, THE OWNER, CONTACTED MY DAUGHTER TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE ORIGINAL DECISION AND SAID I COULD RESCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER CLASS AND BRING A GUEST. SO MAYBE IT WAS A CLERK WHO WAS SO CALLOUS.

My husband loves to cook so for this Valentine’s day I bought him a class at this cooking school. He drove all the way across the valley only to find out this class wasn’t happening and there was a private party instead. My husband called me upset trying to understand what was happening. I immediately checked the website and nope the non-existant cooking class was still there! What a way to spoil a present for someone and 3 days later still no refund! Such poor customer service!

What a great class at Sweet Basil. I will definitely go back for more. Excellent instructors and fun class mates.

Visited the store for the first and last time today. The older woman at the counter was rude to my husband, who happens to be the cook and baker in our home. We were going to purchase several things, as we do enjoy visiting small businesses and purchasing from small businesses, but after the terse, rude, and condescending interaction; promptly put everything back and decided to take our business elsewhere.

Purchased a couple's cooking class and my girlfriend came down with covid-like symptoms the morning of the class. I called to see if we could move our class to another time, and was met with a rude, unprofessional explanation that I should find another date to bring. Really? Find another date? And then it was suggested that we come? ! After the year we just had attempting to limit the spread of disease and sickness? There should be a better policy in place in the middle of a pandemic, in my humble opinion.

So much fun to cook the dishes with a group of others and then sit down and enjoy the meal. A little pricey for the food you get but I guess you are paying for the experience.

I called this place, asking if I could pay with ESA funds (educational federal funds offered for special needs children) and I felt discriminated by administrator. She even mentioned that she couldn’t understand my accent. Most children - Teen summer programs take ESA funds.

My husband and I did the Gourmet Couples cooking class and had such a wonderful experience. Linda was our instructor and she’s an absolute delight. She’s helpful and super knowledgeable. (& really funny!) We’ll definitely be doing it again soon!

What a wonderful store with tasty prepared meals too. I loved the lasagna and made two great meals from it!

Great cooking classes with Linda. She has so much knowledge and I have learned so much. I have taken many classes from making tamales to fish, from sauces to bread and pasta and ice cream.

I don't eat in my car unless it's in this area's parking lot with a school. So here I eat a great made burger and yammy fries.

& NY

Was alright. They only had 1 to choose from in the item I was looking for and the price seemed a little high.

They try really hard but the hygiene was severely lacking. Lots of participants making food, not washing their hands, and touching food to be served after handling raw beef.

The women that run it are very sweet, but hand washing and general food sanitation are quite lax.

My husband and I attended a couples cooking class. The store and kitchen were excellent and I would highly recommend visiting both. My opinion is that the recipes were good. The sides were a little heavy on the carbs. I do not believe the chef did a good job of adjusting the cooking times for the quantities being prepared. The tenderloin was undercooked and the custard dessert never set up. The chef was personable and gave some very detailed tips to all of us.