Welcome to The Chef Upstairs USA
The Most Unique Interactive Cooking and Private Dining Experiences in St. Petersburg, Florida!
Book an Adult Cooking Class
Cooking Classes
"Appy-Hour" Cooking Classes
Kick off your evening with chef-prepared bites, then roll up your sleeves and create a show-stopping dish from scratch. In just 90 minutes, you'll dive into a globally inspired favorite like gnocchi with fresh basil pesto, paella layered with depth and color, or street-style pad Thai. Designed for effortless after-work fun, great food, and even better company.
$55 per guest
"Night Out" Cooking Classes
Immersive, hands-on 3-hour cooking experiences designed for all skill levels. Guided by our professional chefs, you'll master new techniques, work with vibrant ingredients, and cook bold, unforgettable dishes from around the world—all from scratch. Travel the globe through food with flavor-packed classes like Tastes of Thailand, Peruvian Seaside, Exploring India, Parisian Bistro, Handmade Italian, and Greek Mezze—each one a deep dive into the aromas, techniques, and soul of a cuisine you'll be excited to recreate at home.
$95 per guest
And to deliciously pair… Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Upcoming Class Schedule
Thursday, April 23rd, 6 - 9 pm
Night Out - Caribbean Paradise
Price: $95
Escape to the islands for a night of sunshine on a plate. Grilled shrimp and pineapple salad, bold jerk chicken with all the fixings, and a dreamy coconut rum mousse to finish. Lively flavors, tropical vibes, pure joy.
What's Cooking:
  • Arrival Snack: Chef's Choice
  • Caribbean Salad - Grilled Shrimp, Pineapple, Avocado, Honey-Lime Dressing
  • Caribbean Feast - Grilled Jerk Chicken, Collard Greens, Rice and Peas, Papaya Salsa
  • Bob Marley Mousse - White Chocolate and Coconut Rum Mousse served with Fresh Fruit
Friday, April 24th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Appy Hour - Indian Bistro
Price: $55
Spice up your evening with comforting Indian favorites. Enjoy a bright roasted chickpea and cauliflower starter, then master rich, velvety butter chicken served with fluffy basmati and warm, homemade naan. Fragrant, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
What's Cooking:
  • Chef-Prepared Arrival Snack: Roasted Chickpea and Cauliflower Salad
  • Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice and Homemade Naan
Thursday, May 7th, 6 - 9 pm
Night Out - Soulful Cooking: Korean Classics
Price: $95
Step into the vibrant world of Korean cuisine and discover the secrets behind creating authentic, mouthwatering dishes.
What's Cooking:
  • Jap Chae - Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with Colourful Vegetables and Savoury Flavours
  • Gamja Jorim - Soy-Braised Potatoes
  • Oi Muchim - Spicy Cucumber Salad
  • Kalbi - Korean Short Ribs Marinated to Perfection
  • Multigrain Purple Rice
  • Hotteok - Sweet Brown Sugar Pancake (crispy outside, gooey inside)
SOLD OUT!
Thursday, May 14th, 6 - 9 pm
Night Out - Modern Greek Mezze
Price: $95
An Aegean Escape through Vibrant Plates. Take a trip to the Mediterranean with this lively Greek mezze experience. Learn how to balance fresh herbs, zesty cheeses, and bold spices to create a stunning spread perfect for entertaining.
What's Cooking:
  • Flaming Saganaki with Homemade Pita
  • Golden Spanakopita with Herbed Feta
  • Lamb Koftas with Green Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Greek Potato Salad with Lemon, Olives, and Herbs
  • Nut-Free Baklava
Friday, May 15th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Appy Hour - Chinese Dumplings
Price: $55
Roll, fill, and fold your way through this interactive dumpling-making experience. Start with a bright Chinese vegetable pickle salad, then learn to craft homemade dough and create a variety of dumplings—shrimp, chicken, pork, and vegetable—paired with bold, flavorful dipping sauces. A hands-on class that's as fun as it is delicious.
What's Cooking:
  • Chef-Prepared Arrival Snack: Chinese Vegetable Pickle Salad
  • Assorted Shrimp, Chicken, Pork and Vegetable Dumplings and Dips with Homemade Dough
Tuesday, May 19th, 6 - 9 pm
Night Out - Thai Seafood Delicacies
Price: $95
Fresh Flavors from Thailand's Coastline. Explore Thailand's vibrant seafood traditions, where the sea meets spice. You'll prepare aromatic, colorful dishes that are both light and deeply flavourful.
What's Cooking:
  • Lemongrass-Infused Mussels in Coconut Broth
  • Whole Grilled Fish with Sweet Tamarind Glaze
  • Thai Pineapple Fried Rice with Toasted Seeds and Aromatics
  • Creamy Coconut Ice Cream with Toasted Coconut Topping
Wednesday, May 20th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Appy Hour - Vietnamese Faves: Fresh and Aromatic
Price: $55
Dive into the bright, fragrant world of Vietnamese cuisine in this fresh and flavorful hands-on class. Start with a crisp green papaya salad, then build a deeply aromatic pho from scratch—layering herbs, spices, and rich broth for the ultimate comfort bowl, with a delicious vegetarian option available.
What's Cooking:
  • Chef-Prepared Arrival Snack: Green Papaya Salad
  • Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup) (Vegetarian option available)
Thursday, June 4th, 6 - 9 pm
Night Out - Soulful Cooking: Korean Classics
Price: $95
Step into the vibrant world of Korean cuisine and discover the secrets behind creating authentic, mouthwatering dishes.
What's Cooking:
  • Jap Chae - Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with Colourful Vegetables and Savoury Flavours
  • Gamja Jorim - Soy-Braised Potatoes
  • Oi Muchim - Spicy Cucumber Salad
  • Kalbi - Korean Short Ribs Marinated to Perfection
  • Multigrain Purple Rice
  • Hotteok - Sweet Brown Sugar Pancake (crispy outside, gooey inside)
Monday, June 15th, 5 - 8 PM
Welcome to The Chef Upstairs’ Culinary 101 Program!
  • This program of “the basics” will guide everyone from the amateur cook to our self-proclaimed home gourmets. Starting with essential knife skills, our chefs will help you learn to be comfortable and confident in the kitchen.
  • Note: while we will offer a chef prepared snack on arrival, the meal is meant to be enjoyed at home/at the end of the class. Come prepared so you are not hungry!
  • Knife Skills: 3 essential knives for your kitchen | Honing vs. sharpening | Julienne vs. batonette | Fine Dice vs medium and large dice | Mincing
  • Recipes: Chicken Soup with Greens and Vegetables | Chopped Mexican Salad with Roasted Peppers, Corn, Tomatoes & Avocado
  • Classes are about 3 hours long
  • Our classes combine safe fun and learning through an interactive, team approach
  • Guests will work together to create a full meal under the guidance of our chef
  • Recipes will be emailed after class so you can recreate the meal at home
  • The chef will offer tips and tricks based on their personal experiences
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase during the class
  • Minimum of 6 participants required to run the class
Edible Surrealism: A Dalí-Inspired Culinary Competition Experience - June 10th at 6 pm
The Chef Upstairs, in collaboration with The Dalí Museum and its special exhibition Dalí in America, is excited to host a culinary-art experience that transforms aspects of Salvador Dalí's Dizzy Dali Dinner (1941) into an interactive, plated competition. Edible Surrealism invites guests to step beyond observation and into creation. Blending food, art, and imagination in a guided, high-energy event hosted by The Chef Upstairs (inside The Foodie Labs).
This one of a kind experience is a curated artistic competition, where plating becomes the medium and Dalí the muse. Team up to create a surreal, show-stopping hors d'oeuvre, guided by professional chefs and artistic inspiration drawn from Dalí himself. You'll design, plate, and perform.
  • Work in teams to build a visually stunning dish
  • Use premium ingredients with light hands-on cooking
  • Learn creative plating techniques and surreal design concepts
  • Compete to impress the judges (and each other!)
Once the competition wraps, enjoy everyone's creations while the judges crown a winner.
  • ✨ Winning team takes home a prize
  • 🍷 Drinks available for purchase
  • 🎨 No experience needed—just imagination
Think bold. Think strange. Think delicious.
Get your group of 4, register as 1 team, and compete!
Limited to 5 teams.
Costumes are welcome and encouraged!
What to Expect
01
Arrival & Welcome (15–20 min)
  • Guests are welcomed into a visually inspired space with subtle surrealist elements
  • Brief introduction to Dalí's artistic philosophy and how it translates to food design
  • Overview of competition rules and judging criteria
02
Challenge Brief (10 min)
  • Each team is challenged to create a Dalí-inspired hors d'oeuvre presentation (platter or composed plates)
  • Emphasis: illusion, distortion, unexpected composition, and storytelling
03
The Culinary Experience (60–75 min)
  • The Chef Upstairs provides a curated selection of premium ingredients (proteins, bases, sauces, garnishes)
  • Teams complete light cooking elements (slicing, searing, assembling, finishing)
  • The focus is on plating, composition, and creativity
  • A Chef Upstairs instructor leads culinary direction, as well as artistic prompts and surrealist inspiration
  • Guests are guided through techniques such as: Height, asymmetry, and movement in plating; Unexpected textures and contrasts; Visual storytelling through food
04
Judging & Celebration (30 min)
  • Teams present their creations to judges
  • Judging criteria: Creativity & originality; Visual impact / surrealism; Cohesion of concept; Taste and execution
  • Guests enjoy all dishes as a shared tasting experience
  • Winning team receives a Dalí x The Chef Upstairs inspired swag bag
Private Events & Corporate Team Building
Transform your next gathering into a memorable culinary adventure with our customizable cooking events. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, corporate team building, and holiday parties.
  • In-person interactive cooking experiences
  • Team Building activities woven into cooking challenges
  • The most memorable birthday party (ages 3 and up!)
  • Girls night out/night out with friends
  • Your night out, full meal and entertainment are all in one place.
  • *Virtual cooking events are also available, nationwide
  • We create delicious memories, for all occasions!
Summer Camp: Cooking + Ceramics
This summer, creativity takes center stage in a unique collaboration between the teams at The Chef Upstairs and St. Pete Ceramics, where food and art come together in the most hands-on way!
Each day begins at The Chef Upstairs kitchen, where campers ages 7-12 will prepare their own lunch and an afternoon snack, learning essential cooking skills along the way. After enjoying their lunch, the group will take a short 0.3-mile walk to St Pete Ceramics studio for an immersive afternoon of pottery and crafts.
Kids will explore shaping and forming to decorating and glazing to create functional ceramics. Using a variety of techniques, they'll design and craft pieces meant for everyday use, like plates and bowls.
The experience culminates in a fun and meaningful finale: each camper will present their favorite dish or recipe and showcase the custom piece they created. It's a celebration of creativity, confidence, and the joy of making something truly your own—from kitchen to table.
Camp runs from 9 am - 3:30 pm and includes lunch and a snack each day, as well as 5-6 pottery pieces created throughout the week.
$400 per child per week (ages 7-12)
Daily Menus
Pizza Party
  • Homemade dough, fresh made sauce and choice of toppings
  • Caesar salad with homemade dressing
  • Chocolate tiramisu (kid-friendly)
Taco Party
  • Chicken Carnitas with homemade Tortillas
  • Pico de Gallo and Guacamole
  • Tres Leches cake
Greek Feast
  • Greek salad
  • Chicken Souvlaki and Tzatziki with homemade pita
  • Nut-free Baklava
Chinese Dumpling House
  • Assorted steamed and pan fried Dumpling with homemade dough, chicken, shrimp, pork and veggies
  • DIY dipping sauce bar
  • Silky Mango Pudding
Celebrating St Pete
  • Grouper Sammies on fresh made Brioche Buns
  • Sweet Potato Wedges
  • Creamy Crunchy Slaw
  • Mini Key Lime Pies
Important Info
  • 9 am drop off: The Chef Upstairs is located at 515 22nd St. S #130 (inside The Foodie Labs)
  • 3:30 pm pick up: St. Pete Ceramics is located at 2135 3rd Ave S #5 (Five Deuces Galleria)
  • Please send your child with a water bottle, hat, reusable takeaway containers, close-toed shoes and a smile! You do not need to send them with any food or snacks 🙂
  • We require a minimum of 6 campers to run camp.
  • All menus at The Chef Upstairs will be nut and peanut free.
  • Pottery pieces will be available for pick up 2 weeks after camp.
Please read our full cancellation policy here
A beloved Toronto institution since 1957, Pancer’s Original Deli has built its reputation on legendary classics and the kind of comforting favorites that keep generations coming back. Now, fourth-generation owner Chef Julian Pancer brings that iconic taste to St. Pete—making Pancer’s at The Chef Upstairs your go-to spot for truly authentic, mouthwatering deli fare.
Gift Cards
The perfect gift for any foodie!
  • Gift cards are available for cooking classes, private chef at home events, or in the amount of your choice.
  • Ideal for birthdays, wedding gifts, anniversaries, shower gifts, Christmas and all holidays, retirement and thank you's!
  • Editable gift cards are sent via email within 24 hours of purchase
About The Chef Upstairs USA
Inspired by our original Toronto locations, The Chef Upstairs brings a celebrated culinary experience to St. Pete where cooking is inspiring, approachable, and always fun. Every class feels like a kitchen party with friends, designed to turn curiosity into confidence and ingredients into unforgettable experiences.
From beginners to seasoned home cooks, our hands-on classes blend bold flavors, expert guidance, and just the right amount of fun. Whether it’s a date night, celebration, team event, or skill-building session, The Chef Upstairs is where great food, great people, and great memories come together.
We care deeply about the environment and the impact of our food choices. Through mindful preparation, smart portioning, and creative approaches to reducing food waste, we teach more sustainable cooking practices. By partnering with local farmers and vendors, we showcase the area’s best seasonal ingredients, lower our carbon footprint, and inspire responsible, community-driven cooking.
Kids Birthday Parties
Our Interactive Cooking Birthday Parties let you sit back and watch your child's culinary creativity unfold!
Hosted by our professionally trained chefs and serving staff, your junior chef and their friends will be led through an interactive, hands-on culinary experience, allowing them to prepare and enjoy the meal of their choice! We take care of decorations including balloons, happy birthday banner, streamers, and birthday themed plates, cups and napkins. You are welcome to bring in any additional decorations (just no glitter or confetti please!)
Step 1 - The Essentials
  • Birthday Child's Name and Age
  • Date and Time (parties are 2 hours)
  • Your Details (Parent Contact, Email and Phone Number)
Step 2 - The Menu
Our kids parties offer an interactive, hands-on cooking experience for your junior chef and friends. See below for our top picks!
Step 3 - The Upgrades
  • Loot Bags: Bring your own, or let us take care of them for you
  • Adult Menu: Treat your adult guests to a unique chef prepared meal
Please let us know about any food allergies or food concerns
Private Chef & Catering Services
Restaurant Experience at Home
Enjoy exceptional cuisine prepared in the comfort of your home or event venue by our professional chefs. Take your time and enjoy your own wine. When the meal is over, our team will leave everything spotless and you'll already be at home!
Customized Menus
Tailored to your preferences and dietary needs with local, seasonal ingredients. Get creative with our culinary team and plan a custom menu and experience that will have your guests talking about it for months!
Professional Service
Choose fully-catered, demonstrative, or interactive experiences for any occasion. Our team takes care of everything, including procuring high quality ingredients, setting the table, cooking, serving, and ensuring a spotliess kitchen. Sit back and relax… we've got you!
Testimonials & Media Features
"The most fun team building experience we've ever had! Our colleagues are still talking about it months later. The chefs were knowledgeable, entertaining, and patient with our varying skill levels."
— Sarah Johnson, Marketing Director
Media Recognition
Featured in culinary blogs, local news, and social media for our innovative approach to cooking education.
Customer Satisfaction
Over 95% of our clients rate their experience as "exceptional" and recommend us to friends and family.
Corporate Success
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for team building events that blend culinary skills with collaboration.
Contact & Booking Information
Visit Us
The Foodie Labs
515 22nd St S, Suite 130
St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States
Contact Us
Phone: 727-870-9221
Email: hello@thechefupstairs.com