Your Asheville Cooking Instructor
Laurel Durban has been teaching cooking skills for nine years, bringing her love of cooking from her family kitchen into every class. She fondly remembers helping her mom create meals that are still remembered today—and learning lessons along the way. Today, she shares that same passion with her students, along with plenty of practical tips and laughter.
Each class emphasizes selecting quality ingredients and using high-quality tools, with students working individually or in pairs to create dishes that bring people together and strengthen connections. For Laurel, cooking is about more than recipes—it’s about building confidence in the kitchen and savoring the shared moments that food makes possible.
Our approach to cooking
At Whisk and Rosemary, every class is designed to be engaging, supportive, and practical. We focus on making cooking approachable—showing you how to prepare bread, pasta, pies, and seasonal dishes without fancy equipment. You’ll leave each class with not only a take-home dish but also the knowledge and confidence to recreate it at home. Cooking is more than just following a recipe—it’s about understanding techniques, trusting your instincts, and enjoying the process.
Why Asheville?
I love sharing my passion for cooking in Asheville, NC—a city full of creativity, good food, and a welcoming spirit. My home kitchen is warm, inviting, and perfectly set up for small, hands-on classes where you can ask questions, get individual guidance, and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
What You’ll Learn
Every class at Whisk and Rosemary focuses on practical skills you can use at home. From making flaky pie crusts to kneading artisan bread or rolling fresh pasta, you’ll gain the confidence to cook and bake from scratch. Small class sizes ensure you get hands-on experience, personalized guidance, and plenty of support along the way.