Hands-On Gourmet SF Cooking Wine Country Style at Jacuzzi Cellars Sonoma

Spring has sprung in Wine Country California. I had the pleasure of attending a Hands On Gourmet Private Cooking Party & Team Building Event at Jacuzzi Cellars in Sonoma Wine Country recently and meeting Executive Chef, Stephen Gibbs. And what a backdrop.

From weddings, to corporate events to bachelorette parties… Jacuzzi Cellars in Sonoma County, most likely has the perfect accommodation for your needs in Wine Country. I was at a field trip with an enthusiastic (to say the least) group of 4th graders recently at Cline Cellars, which is a straight shot across CA Highway 12. It is a wonderful life to grow up in Sonoma and enjoy field trips amongst the vineyards.

After the outing, I visited Jacuzzi Cellars on the way home and timing was terrific as they were hosting an event featuring the wonderful folk at Hands On Gourmet. I had chatted with Helen while at Cline Cellars across the street, we had been “virtual” friends for quite awhile and had spoken often on social media channels but had not met in person until this trip with the school.

Helen is the Social Media Guru for Cline, Jacuzzi & Viansa Wineries who are all within a minutes drive of each other on Hwy 12. After an informative tour at Cline including the Mission Museum with the kiddos, Hands on Gourmet at Jacuzzi couldn’t have come at a better time.

I had heard about the Hands On Cooking Company when visiting San Francisco recently, I am an East Bay native and visit San Francisco and their restaurants often. All the feedback I had absorbed recently had been positive.

As their website states:

“Groups come together, cook together alongside our professional chefs and then eat together.  Think of it as an opportunity for people to get to know each other in a familiar and comfortable setting, the kitchen.  Our events are interactive, community building, and most importantly, fun!”

Visit Jacuzzi Winery in the springtime and you’ll swear you spent the day shooting at a Tuscan winery in northern Italy. It is a lovely landscape, well crafted architecture and attention to detail that makes people keep booking this venue time and time again. A cooking party is a unique way to show your appreciation for your co-workers, club or any organization.

When participating in a Hands On Gourmet program, a group gathers to enjoy a cooking class that includes eating, laughing and sharing the meal that they created together. Helping newbies to learn the right way to hold a knife, poach, caramelize, whip, grill, sauté and frost is what they excel at.

The business is completely mobile and can bring the party just about anywhere. When it comes to a winery, what better pairing than a food venue?

“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.”  — W. C. Fields

Chin Chin.

At Hands On Gourmet, they introduce guests to new techniques and seasonal, fresh foods. All menus may be customized or altered which was a feature that I find SOO important when it comes to wine tasting. Pairing food with wine takes skill, practice and a whole lot of tasting of course….rough life for the Chef or Somm.

At this particular event they seemed to display a wide range of cultures when it came to the demonstrations available. From sushi platters, to sea scallops to skewers of veggies, the tables covered a range of options for any chef in training. From what I understand, the events begin with socializing, a cheese board, and of course delicious wines from Jacuzzi Cellars on this particular day.  After everyone has arrived, the chefs at Hands On,  introduce the event and provide an overview of how the event is run.

The cooking itself is very interactive and fun with a lot of girl chat, bonding and smiles in between. After that, the guests’ enjoy the meal they have created. The staff manages all the clean-up. Nice for us women who all desire a personal clean up crew in the kitchen after a meal…soo much simpler. While the crew cleans up, the attendees enjoy the gardens, landscaping and of course VIP style seating arrangements at Jacuzzi Cellars and the vineyards beyond.

All in All…it seems that Wine Country Views Pair Beautifully with Hands On Gourmet Cooking Classes when it some to overall guest enjoyment and satisfaction. I hope to visit them again soon when I have the opportunity to attend a class in San Francisco and learn more from the fabulous Chefs.

Chin Chin until the next visit to both SF and Jacuzzi of course.

Jacuzzi Family Cellars – Website Here
24724 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA 95476
Contact: (707) 931-7575

Hands On Gourmet – Website Here
2325 Third Street #409
San Francisco, CA 94107
415.553.8894 phone