Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
22 S. Main St. Voorheesville, NY 12186
What time should I arrive?
Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the posted class start time. The doors open 15 minutes before the listed start time of class. Please let us know if you will be arriving late. If you are excessively late, you may not be allowed to join the class and will not be entitled to a refund.
Where should I Park?
We have a parking lot. Street Parking is also available.
Can I show up to attend a class without a reservation or just to “check the place out”?
Because of our very busy and sometimes unpredictable schedule, we do not allow walks-ins , and are not able to give unannounced “tours”. Entry is by appointment or reservation only.
What are your School Store hours?
The School Store is available only during class time and is not open for daily retail hours.
How can I register for a class?
Simply go to our online class schedule, add your preferred class to the shopping cart and follow the checkout instructions.
I’m on the waitlist for a sold out class, how will I know if a seat becomes available?
When a class seat becomes available from a previously sold out class, everyone on the waitlist receives an automatic email at the same time. Please respond to that email promptly otherwise the seat will be taken by someone else on the waitlist.
Will there be more classes offered beyond the ones listed?
Yes, we offer nearly 250 classes a year. Our classes are listed 3 months at a time to avoid overwhelming you and causing confusion on the website.
Can I purchase a class for someone else as a gift?
We prefer that you purchase a Gift Card instead, so the recipient can choose their own class that fits their schedule. Please read our terms and policies thoroughly before reserving a class for someone else.
How do I use my Gift Card?
To learn how to use your Gift Card click HERE
How do I request a class credit?
If you need to cancel your class seat, click on Class Credit Request and fill out the form. If you don’t know your order number or can’t find your confirmation email, log into your account and view your order information. With proper notification you will receive a class credit to use for a future class. Class seats are not refundable.
You must fill out the Class Credit Request Form to recieve a class credit. Class Credits cannot be issued over the phone or through random emails.
All Class credits with be added to your “Wallet-Class Credit” account. You may check your Class Credit balance at any time by logging in and going to “My Account“ or “My Wallet“. To use it, after adding a class/event to your shopping cart, simply choose “Wallet-Class Credit” at check-out as the payment method. If your class credit is less than the cost of the class, please enter another payment method to pay for the balance.
I ordered a Gift Card and it was not received, where is it?
The printable Gift Card is sent in a separate email from your order confirmation with the subject: “Here is your Printable Gift Card” it will arrive as a PDF attachment. If you do not receive it, please first check your spam folder, then reply to your order confirmation email. You may also reprint or resend it at anytime by logging into your account and viewing the order.
Most company/corporate email servers have a security filter that will block any type of email attachments from outside senders. Please use your personal email address when purchasing gift cards.
- May not be combined with any other offer. One Gift Card per reservation.
- Gift Cards purchased online may only be redeemed online.
- Gift Cards purchased online may not be used for in-studio purchases.
- Gift Card is not redeemable for Private Classes unless specifically purchased for a private class.
- Class seats must be reserved online prior to the start of class.
- Desired Class seat availability cannot be guaranteed, reserve early.
- Gift Card is not redeemable for cash.
- Gift Card will not be replaced if lost or stolen.
- If you have lost your Gift Card, we will not provide gift card numbers or replacements. Please contact the person who gave you the gift card.
- Gift Card will not be reissued once redeemed.
- Gift Cards are not refundable.
- Class Credits, or class exchanges will not be issued for reservations made using a gift card.
- Gift Card will not be honored past the expiration date.
What do I wear?
If you’re taking a hands-on class, dress to cook: casual and comfortable, with some low heeled, closed-toe shoes. No loose or dangling cloths or jewelry. No strong cologne or perfume PLEASE.
Do I need to bring anything?
We will supply the all the equipment and ingredients you needed in all classes. Each student will receive a recipe/guide packet with copies of all the recipes/guides used in the class. You may want to bring a pen for taking notes.
Do we get to eat what is made in a cooking class?
A generous sampling of everything made in class is provided. Though most people won’t leave hungry, please don’t expect to be served a full dinner. The fee is for the cooking lesson, not the food. Please see Chef’s Table below for full service dinner.
What is a Chef’s Table?
Note: Some hands-on portions of any class may be modified or eliminated at the sole discretion of the instructor.
Please refer to the class description for the level of participation.
Hands-on= The class has 50% or more hands-on student participation of the menu items (not class time) .
Some Hands-on= The class has 25% or less hands-on student participation of the menu Items (not class time) .
Demonstration Only= The class is demonstration only with no hands-on.
Why aren’t all classes 100% hands-on?
I take great care when designing the classes to ensure there is the proper amount of demonstration and hands on participation for the allotted time, and what makes sense with the menu and class subject. Most students find our “some hands-on” classes to have plenty of hands on experience.
Though hands-on participation is important, demonstration and explanation is the most important part of the teaching and learning processes. Demonstration is used to show you the skills and tools needed so you are able to go home, practice what you’ve learned and duplicate the recipes and techniques. It also allows students time to take detailed notes and ask questions. Even a Culinary School degree program has demonstration in the kitchen labs. Our goal is not to make you recipe followers, blindly following steps, but better home cooks by learning proper cooking technique and the function of ingredients.
How long do classes last?
The duration of the class is listed in the class description, however this is just an estimate. The class may run longer or shorter depending on the size of the class and if all students arrive on time.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please see our Terms and Policies
Can my son/daughter take a class with me?
Our studio is 21+ admittance only for most classes, chef’s table and events. We do host “young cooks” classes on occasion for different age levels. During “young cooks” classes no one, including accompanying adults are allowed to purchase or consume alcohol for the duration of the event.
Adult attendance 21+ only for Chef’s Table Events.
Can I reserve a private class for just one or two people?
Yes, however there is a minimum fee. Click HERE for more information.
Can I have menu items in class substituted if I don’t like them or are allergic to them?
We are not able to accommodate each individual students dietary needs and preferences in class that is open to the public. Please choose a class title with an agreeable menu, or schedule a private class with a customized menu. We are not a gluten free or allergen free facility.
Can I bring my own gluten free or specialty ingredients?
Classes are set up for the specific menu and lesson as stated in the class description. We cannot substitute ingredients that you bring in for any portion of the class without disrupting and confusing the lesson.
May I bring wine to Cooking Classes/Private Event?
Wine and Alcohol in Cooking Classes/Events
Update:
Bring your own wine/beer is not longer allowed.
We offer a great selection of Italian wines, by the glass or by the bottle.
Outside Food and Drinks. including , water , soda, tea, coffee. juice, etc. are NOT allowed. We provide spring water. Soft Drinks are available for purchase.
Liquor and mixed drinks are not allowed at any time. It is against the law to bring or consume liquor in our facility.
What are your in-studio conduct rules?
In order to maintain a fun, informative and safe environment for all, we require all students and guests to abide by the following rules:
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Please arrive on-time
- Please silence your phone
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Please pay attention to the instructor
- Enjoy conversation with others but please do not talk over the instructor
- Please do not go behind the chef’s table without permission
- Please do not go into our main kitchen, refrigerators or office space without permission
- Please do not rearrange the furniture or seating
- Please do not bring in outside food
- Please do not bring in hard alcohol
- Please do not overindulge in alcohol before or during class
- You’re encouraged to ask many questions, but please raise your hand or wait for a break in instruction
Gio Culinary Studio reserves the right to expel any student or guest at anytime for the following reasons or any other reason determined by the owners and employees of Gio Culinary Studio to warrant expulsion.
• Rude, Disrespectful, Violent or Destructive behavior
• Excessive Lateness
• Intoxication
• Disruption of class or event
• Non-payment of class/event fee
If you are expelled from the premises for any reason, you will not be entitled to a refund or credit and you will not be allowed back on premises at any time.
Please see TERMS and POLICIES for more information.