Ashtyn Asay 
Some people intuitively know how much salt to add to a sauce, or what it means to julienne a vegetable. I am not one of those people. I’ve been known to cook everything on “high,” and I’ve even managed to start a fire while trying to boil water. So when I signed up for Kitchen Table’s Handmade Pasta: Fettuccine and Farfalle class, I was equally excited and intimidated. Thankfully, within minutes of walking into the cooking school located on the second floor of 1851 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, those nerves started to fade. Read on to learn more about Kitchen Table in Maplewood + our experience.
What Is Kitchen Table in Maplewood?
Kitchen Table, which opened in 2022, was founded by Maplewood resident and professional chef Lila Lea after years of teaching cooking classes for preschool-aged children in the New York City area. During the pandemic, Lila finally had the time to pursue an idea that had been quietly taking shape for years: a neighborhood cooking school centered around learning, connection, and gathering around the table.
“This was always a percolating brainchild in my head,” Lila said. “I always knew that I wanted to run my own business, because I’ve worked for other places doing what I do, and you know, there was just always something that could have been better.”
Today, the school offers classes for everyone from toddlers to adults, along with summer camps and private events. While Lila focuses primarily on children’s programming, the adult classes have taken shape under the direction of Dawn Yoselowitz, who has helped expand offerings into everything from handmade pasta nights to globally inspired menus and even pop culture-themed experiences.
“There are all levels, people who don’t cook at all at home, people who cook all the time,” Dawn said. “You’re going to learn something new every time you come.”
What It’s Like to Take a Class at Kitchen Table
Chef Melissa Ghelani guided the group through every step of making pasta with patience and a lightning-quick sense of humor. Questions were encouraged, mistakes were met with reassurance instead of criticism, and every technique, from kneading fresh pasta dough to chopping vegetables, was broken down into manageable steps.
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Our menu for the evening included two types of handmade pastas and sauces, a classic caprese salad, and tiramisu for dessert. Individually, each dish sounded ambitious. Together, they seemed impossible. Yet somehow, by the end of the evening, the school’s long, richly decorated table was filled with food that looked, and more importantly, tasted, like something from an Italian restaurant.
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More Than a Cooking Class
The experience wasn’t just about learning recipes. Throughout the night, strangers chatted while chopping, compared cooking experiences (or lack thereof), laughed over imperfect pasta shapes, and shared stories as we waited for sauces to simmer. By the time we sat down to eat, the table felt less like a classroom and more like a dinner party.
“The magic really happens when everyone is gathered around that table, and we turn off the lights in the kitchen, and sometimes this chef will pull up a chair, so it really feels like you’re in somebody’s home,” Dawn said. “It’s just a nice feeling once you’re out of the kitchen and sitting around chatting and meeting other people, and everyone’s so excited because they just cooked this meal all on their own… It’s just a friendly way to get to know people in the community.”
Cooking Classes for Children at Kitchen Table
For children, Kitchen Table teaches age-appropriate cooking skills for children eighteen months old through high school. Beyond recipes, the curriculum emphasizes confidence, independence, communication, patience, and a willingness to try new foods.
Lila recalled seeing children who initially refused certain ingredients eventually discover they actually enjoyed them, a transformation parents are often thrilled to witness at home.
“These are the moments I live for: when a kid tells me or thinks they don’t like something, and then they come back to me, and they’re like, ‘that’s really good, actually,’” Lila said. “I think they [parents] like seeing that their kids are engaged and doing something fun, while also maybe helping them not be so picky.”
Adult Cooking Classes at Kitchen Table
For adults, the goals are a little different. Dawn explained that many people come looking for something beyond dinner plans. They want an experience, one where they can learn professional techniques, ask questions, and spend an evening creating something together instead of simply ordering takeout.
“We want them to feel like they had a unique experience that they’re not going to get by just going out to dinner with their friends; they’re getting something special, they’re meeting other people,” Dawn said. “We want them to come in just like we’re welcoming them into our home, and having this great experience.”
My Experience at Kitchen Table
As someone who doesn’t consider herself a confident home cook, I left with more than a few new recipes. I finally learned how homemade pasta comes together, picked up practical knife skills, and gained a little more confidence in the kitchen.
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More importantly, I was reminded that cooking doesn’t have to be about perfection. Sometimes it’s about getting your hands a little messy, sharing a meal with people you just met, and realizing you’re more capable than you thought. Because if I can make fresh pasta from scratch, there’s probably hope for all of us.
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