Fairway Market to Debut In-Store Cooking School

Fairway Market this week will open a new cooking school at its flagship Upper West Side store in New York.

The Cooking Place will offer more than 100 classes ranging from date nights to authentic global cooking, the retailer said. The curriculum, created by Laura Licona, Fairway’s executive chef and culinary director, is designed to teach everything from the basics to complicated dishes.

“At The Cooking Place, we bring more to the table than just food. We bring the same passion, dedication and philosophy about fooding that fills every aisle in our stores. We believe that food draws people together, creating memories and friendships that will last long after the last bite of dessert is gone, ” Licona said. “At Fairway Market, we celebrate culture, joy, entertainment and togetherness, the real ingredients that you'll find in abundance at The Cooking Place.”

Classes are located within Fairway Cafe & Grill on the top floor of the retailer’s Upper West Side store on 74th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. The Cooking Place will host a daily schedule of classes including Chinese Takeout, Parisian Steakhouse, Spanish Tapas, Afternoon Tea Party, Soul-Warming Southern Dishes and more. Classes, which begin June 15, can booked online at the Cooking Place website. 

Licona, who joined Fairway in February, is a New Mexico native. After completing her doctoral work in environmental and food anthropology, she attended Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. She has led kitchens on both coasts, including her own restaurants in Seattle and Santa Fe, in addition to New York City’s Giorgio’s of Gramercy. She also appeared as a contestant on the 36th season of Food Network’s "Chopped."

Fairway is a leading food retailing destination in the New York City metropolitan area, with 15 stores that emphasize an extensive selection of fresh, natural and organic products, prepared foods and specialty and gourmet offerings, along with a full assortment of conventional groceries. Fairway also operates four wine and spirits stores.