I was extremely disappointed with this cooking class—it felt like a complete waste of 182 euros for two people. The moment we walked in, the host immediately launched into a tirade about her antiques, warning us to “be careful with my antiques!!” This set the tone for the entire class, making me feel nervous and unwelcome.
From the outset, when we introduced ourselves and mentioned we were Americans, her judgmental attitude became even more apparent. It quickly devolved into what felt like a “my country is better than your country” and quickly devolved into “I am better than you”, which was totally uncalled for. Rather than enjoying a fun, interactive class, we got a lecture on politics and superiority.
Even the beverage service was off. We were offered the usual coffee, tea, water, and juice options, but when I asked about wine, she scoffed, saying something like, “I have wine and beer but it’s way too early for that!” all while giving a sour look that made me feel judged for my simple request.
The class itself was a mess. We ended up making only two tiny pancakes—one apple and one bacon—and the entire process was marred by her constant criticisms. When the apple was nearly rotten and difficult to cut, she snapped, “The apples are being cut too thick, please cut them thinner or else we will have to use the whole apple,” even going so far as to flip the pancake over the sink instead of on the counter.
Small talk quickly turned sour as well. When a majority of us admitted we didn’t usually cook, she shot us a judgmental glare and an awkward silence that only added to the tense atmosphere. I even shared that, due to my unpredictable work schedule in medicine, I often rely on quick meals like oatmeal, nuts, fruit, and eggs. Instead of understanding, she scoffed and made an unnecessary comment about my age, insinuating that I cannot continue to work that way for much longer.
This was by far the worst cooking class I’ve attended—what was supposed to be a fun cultural experience turned into an uncomfortable, judgment-filled ordeal. Save your money and look elsewhere if you’re after a pleasant, engaging culinary lesson.
What a lovely way to spend a couple hours in Amsterdam. Our lovely hostess invited us into her home. There were a total of 5 of us. Three of us were flying solo and then a mother and daughter traveling together. It was not just about making pancakes. We had nice conversations with the hostess as she described the culture of Amsterdam and the Netherlands. We shared our experiences with her and the others as well. As a group, we did make dutch pancakes and ate them, along with other snacks she shared with us. It was a very nice time and good to connect with others from various backgrounds. It is well worth 2 hours and the price! Thank you!