If you have a child or are an adult in the Self Determination Program, we offer a select group of Chef Instructors that teach adaptive cooking classes throughout California including Sacramento, San Francisco/SF East Bay, Los Angeles (including Orange County) and San Diego. Every Chef Instructor is thoroughly vetted and professionally qualified, with a background check, liability insurance, food safety certification, and at least six years of hands-on culinary experience. Interested in booking or have questions? Submit this brief FORM, and we'll reach out with more information and next steps.

Class options:

2-Hour Cooking Lesson with Custom Menu $195

Work with your Chef Instructor to design a personalized menu tailored to the participant’s interests, skill level, and the dishes they’d like to learn. This can include simple dishes that encourage independence and skills like basic cooking techniques and knife skills.  Includes pre-class consult and travel time of up to 30 minutes each way.

3-Hour Cooking Lesson with Custom Menu $325

Work with your Chef Instructor to design a personalized menu tailored to the participant’s interests, skill level, and the dishes they’d like to learn. A favorite among families, this extended lesson places a special emphasis on meal planning and preparation, helping students build practical skills for creating several lunches or dinners in advance. The additional class time allows for a relaxed pace and may include, at the chef’s discretion, an optional grocery shopping trip. This format is especially well-suited for students who benefit from extra instruction, practice, or a slower-paced learning experience. Includes pre-class consult and travel time of up to 30 minutes each way.

1.5-Hour Beginner Cooking Lesson with Custom Menu via Zoom $150

This option is ideal for families who live outside our in-home service area or for participants who prefer a virtual learning environment. Participants will cook in real time with their Chef Insturctor, in a supportive one-on-one setting. Like our private in-home lessons, each Zoom session is tailored to the individual and paced according to their unique learning style and support needs. Lessons focus on building confidence, independence, kitchen safety, and practical food preparation skills. Includes pre- class consult.

Note for all classes: Participants are responsible for purchasing groceries needed for class instruction. SDP funds cannot be used to purchase ingredients. Recipes will be emailed in advance so participants can shop for ingredients prior to class. All classes are conducted in-home and require basic cooking appliances such as an oven/cooktop, refrigerator, and sink. Please make sure your kitchen is clean and ready for instruction prior to your chef instructor’s arrival.

For service areas please check below and contact us here or call 916-505-4422 for assistance.

San Diego including North County

Sacramento Region

Los Angeles including areas of Orange County and San Fernando Valley

San Francisco and SF East Bay

We strongly recommend confirming your address with us before submitting a service request to your FMS. Because our lessons are provided in-home, availability is determined by your specific location and the availability of a Chef Instructor in your area.

What Our Clients are Saying about Us…

Thank you so much, Mayumi, for sharing your love of nutrition and education. Jay (31 years old, Cerebral Palsy) began the SDP classes in August 2025, and what a tremendous blessing they have been on his cooking journey. For the first time, working with his chef, Jay prepared birthday dinners for his favorite cousin and his sister this year. It was an incredible moment for him to do this independently, without the help of his family. He was so proud—his smile during the celebrations was truly the gift. It’s an experience that words can hardly express for him. Advancing his skills with his chef has allowed Jay to become an active part of the kitchen crew during family celebrations. He is confident in his abilities and contributes as a capable and helpful producer.

We can’t wait to see the growth that 2026 will bring. We absolutely love the nutritious recipe options and are excited to begin meal prepping in 2026. We know it takes a tremendous amount of demanding paperwork to serve individuals with special needs. This program truly feels like it comes from the heart. Mayumi’s passion for nutritious food and her outreach to those who genuinely need access to healthy meals—rather than easy, processed options—is inspiring.

I hope more SDP clients are able to learn about this program. As a mom, thinking about Jay’s life beyond me is always on my mind. Having access to healthy, home-cooked meals would be a blessing on its own—but being able to learn and actively participate in preparing his own meals is an incredible bonus.

Thank you Mayumi, for Fork and Knife Creations! -Julie T.