Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Astoria, Queens

Alison provided a truly wonderful and authentic Chinese cooking experience. From the moment I arrived, she was completely prepared and made me feel welcome with a delicious homemade soy milk drink—such a thoughtful and personal touch. Her kitchen was beautifully organized, with all of the ingredients carefully prepared and laid out before we began. I especially loved learning about the ingredients and discovering that many came directly from Alison’s own garden. Her knowledge, preparation, and attention to detail made the class feel both approachable and special. Together, we made three dishes entirely from scratch: two salads and a noodle soup. The crunchy lotus stem salad was a standout, with just the right balance of spice, texture, and earthy flavor. I also loved the cucumber salad, which had a perfectly seasoned spicy red paste that gave it so much depth without overpowering the dish. Finally, we made a comforting noodle soup with pork, preserved greens, garlic chives, and plenty of fresh herbs. It was delicious and packed with flavor. The class ended up being a one-on-one experience, and Alison put so much care into every part of the session. She was warm, patient, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about sharing her food and culture. I would highly recommend Alison to anyone looking for a hands-on, authentic Chinese cooking experience.

Alison provided a truly wonderful and authentic Chinese cooking experience. From the moment I arrived, she was completely prepared and made me feel welcome with a delicious homemade soy milk drink—such a thoughtful and personal touch. Her kitchen was beautifully organized, with all of the ingredients carefully prepared and laid out before we began. I especially loved learning about the ingredients and discovering that many came directly from Alison’s own garden. Her knowledge, preparation, and attention to detail made the class feel both approachable and special. Together, we made three dishes entirely from scratch: two salads and a noodle soup. The crunchy lotus stem salad was a standout, with just the right balance of spice, texture, and earthy flavor. I also loved the cucumber salad, which had a perfectly seasoned spicy red paste that gave it so much depth without overpowering the dish. Finally, we made a comforting noodle soup with pork, preserved greens, garlic chives, and plenty of fresh herbs. It was delicious and packed with flavor. The class ended up being a one-on-one experience, and Alison put so much care into every part of the session. She was warm, patient, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about sharing her food and culture. I would highly recommend Alison to anyone looking for a hands-on, authentic Chinese cooking experience.

Alison was a great host and the food was delicious! It was a very fun experience and I learned some new, authentic Chinese dishes.

Alison’s passion for cooking authentic food from her home really shines through in the dishes she guides you through. I first met her on her Flushing food tour, where she introduced me to incredible local spots—and this class felt like a perfect continuation of that experience. I was surprised by how many fresh herbs go into Yunnan dishes—and even more impressed that so many came from her own garden. It added a depth and brightness to the food that made each dish stand out. Everything we cooked was unbelievably tasty—I kept eating long after I was full. I brought home leftovers, but the noodle soup didn’t last. I finished it that same night because it was just too good!

I bought my wife this experience to celebrate her birthday, and it exceeded all expectations. We learnt so much about Southwest Chinese culture and can now confidently navigate a Chinese supermarket to buy all of the produce we need to recreate the dishes at home. We didn't know what to expect walking into a stranger's home, but Alison was welcoming, chatty and an absolute delight to spend time with. Will be recommending to all of our friends!