Private Cooking Parties & Teambuilding Cooking Events
There's no better way to mark a special occasion - be it a bachelorette party, bridal shower, birthday or anniversary - than with a wooden spoon in hand and friends all around.
And if you're looking for an effective, fun way to bond with colleagues, a cooking party is an original team-building exercise that will leave you and your guests smiling long after the cooking is done. As team members learn essential culinary techniques and master new recipes, they also strengthen bonds and relationships in a fun, informal environment.
Request a date for your event | Location & general info | Client testimonials |
Some of our clients | frequently asked questions | reservation deposit | menus |
Couples or very small groups: consider joining one of our cooking classes
Private cooking events include:
- wine and appetizer reception
- hands-on cooking
- three-course meal paired with Italian wines
- complimentary espresso
- recipe packets
- fun for everyone!
Located in the heart of Manhattan, our 4,000-square-foot cooking loft has two independent state-of-the-art kitchens and spacious dining rooms, and a spectacular view of the Empire State Building. Each of our two kitchens and dining rooms can accommodate groups of 12 to 80 people (up to 160 people in both spaces combined).
We will create a tailor-made menu for your group and pair your menu with two fabulous wines. The cost of a standard event is $125 per person plus an 18% gratuity. If you like, we can add a wine tasting to your event. Aprons are available at an additional cost, as well as gift items for your guests, such as Micol Negrin's cookbooks Rustico and The Italian Grill.
Each of our two kitchens boasts four oversize stainless steel work tables that can accommodate up to 40 people for chopping, mincing, kneading, and prepping food, and each of our two dining rooms offers seating for up to 80 people. See our FAQ for complete details.
We've created hundreds of memorable events for corporate clients from across North America and Europe. See a partial list of past clients. Choose from several menus. To reserve, call 917-602-1519 or email us.
Cooking Event Flow
When your group arrives, you will enjoy a selection of freshly prepared appetizers with a glass of wine. We'll describe the menu, outlining basic techniques you'll master, then divide your team into stations. You'll cook for about an hour, whipping up an incredibly tasty three-course meal, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with specially selected Italian wines.
Menus are tailor-made for your group, and a wine tasting can be added for groups who are really into wine. You can also add gift items and extras for your guests such as copies of Micol's books Rustico and The Italian Grill, and aprons for everyone, or a professionally rendered film of your event on DVD... At the end of the event, every guest will receive a recipe packet so they can recreate the delicious menu at home.
Cost
Menus are $125 per person plus 18% gratuity, and 2 top-rated wines are included (half a bottle of wine per guest). There are no setup fees, room rental fees or other fees. Aprons are available as an extra, and a wine tasting can be added.
There is a 12 people minimum for events (in December, the minimum is 16 people). Couples or very small groups: consider joining one of our cooking classes.
Adding a Wine Tasting
If you're really into wine, a wine tasting featuring 8 different wines can be added to your private cooking event for an additional fee ($350 for the wine speaker's fee regardless of the number of attendees, plus a wine budget per person to be determined by you--most clients spend from $20 to $40 per person). The wine selection will be customized for your event, as the wines will be paired with the menu you choose.
These events combine a hands-on cooking class (30 to 45 minutes of cooking) with an informative, entertaining wine tasting that will give you the unique opportunity to taste some of Italy's top wines: from Super Tuscans to Piedmont's big, bold reds, you'll experience memorable Italian wines and learn more about what makes them special. Each wine will be introduced by our wine speaker, its flavor profile and best pairings discussed.
You'll be greeted with a glass of sparkling wine upon arrival, which you'll enjoy with a selection of finger foods. After you've had a chance to relax and mingle with guests, you'll roll up your sleeves and cook in our state-of-the-art kitchen. Finally, you'll sit down to enjoy a wine tasting and a three-course meal paired with wines. You'll taste a total of 8 wines throughout the course of your event.
Call 917-602-1519 or email us to inquire about hosting this unique food & wine event at Rustico Cooking.
There are few things better in life than a great wine. Perhaps great wines paired with great food... enjoyed in great company!
Cooking Party Menus
The menus below are $125 per person plus 18% gratuity, and 2 wines are included.
Pick a standard menu, or mix and match menu items as you like to create your own menu. We
suggest menus marked in red for fall
& winter, and blue for spring & summer.
(* Please note: a $10 surcharge per person will be added for Veal Osso Buco, Chilean Sea Bass, and Filet Mignon as indicated below.)
ITALIAN FAVORITES
- Miniature Asparagus-Three Cheese Strudels over Wild Arugula
- Mediterranean Sea Bass in Saffron-White Wine Glaze
- Roasted Eggplant, Zucchini, & Peppers in Tarragon-Infused Oil
- Barley Risotto with Baby Peas & Pecorino
- Molten Chocolate Cake with Vanilla-Scented Whipped Cream & Warm Strawberry Sauce
GARLIC LOVERS' MENU
- Tuscan Bread, Tomato, & Garlic Soup with Basil & Pecorino Crisp
- Slow-Cooked Chicken with Leeks, White Wine, & Forty Cloves of Garlic
- Asparagus & Carrot Slaw with Toasted Sesame Seeds & Garlic
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Miniature White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake with Dark Chocolate Glaze
SUMMER FAVORITES
- Crispy Goat Cheese-Stuffed Ravioli with Caramelized Fennel & Balsamic Vinegar Splash
- Herb-Rubbed Roasted Chicken with Fire-Roasted Grape Tomato, Yellow Pepper, & Purple Onion Salsa
- Warm Cabbage Salad
- Braised Chickpeas with Spinach & Garlic
- Hazelnut-Chocolate Cakes with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce
EVENING IN PARMA
- Butternut Squash Ravioli in Sage-Infused Butter (groups of 20 or less)
- Filet Mignon with Leek & Red Wine Sauce ($10 per person supplement)
- Peas with Pancetta, Scallions, and Thyme
- Crispy Rosemary Potatoes
- Pecan & Honey Rolls with Warm Caramel Sauce & Vanilla-Bean Ice Cream
TASTE OF SOUTHERN ITALY
- Orecchiette with Broccoli Raab & Sausage
- Spice-Rubbed Chilean Sea Bass with Cherry Tomato-Olive Salsa ($10 per person supplement)
- Shaved Fennel Slaw with Tarragon & Mustard
- Five-Herb Risotto
- Light-as-Air Limoncello Mousse with Fresh Berries
EVENING IN MILAN
- Asparagus & Five-Cheese Crepes in Béchamel Sauce (groups of 20 or less)
- Braised Chicken with Aromatic Spices & Lemon-Garlic Gremolata
- Risotto with Roasted Wild Mushrooms
- Roasted Baby Carrots & Fennel with Sage
- Chocolate-Chunk Bread Pudding with Raspberry Coulis & Vanilla
Whipped Cream
EVENING ON THE ITALIAN RIVIERA
- Grape Tomatoes, Roasted Asparagus, & Goat Cheese in Crispy Phyllo Baskets over Baby Greens
- Red Snapper in Parchment Paper with Olives, Capers, & Herbs
- Roasted Eggplants with Mint & Garlic
- “Smashed” Red-Skinned Baby Potatoes with Chives & Paprika
- Strawberry & Mascarpone Mousse
EVENING IN NAPLES
- Crepes Stuffed with Broccoli Raab, Sausage, & Two Cheeses (groups of 20 or less)
- Braised Chicken with Fennel & White Wine
- Roasted Sweet Pepper Medley with Basil & Tomatoes
- Lemony Roast Potatoes
- Marzipan & Pine Nut Cakes with Orange Glaze
COMFORT FOOD
- Three-Cheese Ravioli in Saffron Cream Sauce (groups of 20 or less)
- Roasted Chicken in Balsamic-Honey Glaze
- Savory Spinach & Artichoke Bread Pudding
- Peas with Prosciutto & Onions
- Molten Chocolate-Almond Cakes with Raspberry Hearts
ITALIAN SEAFOOD FEAST
- Shrimp, Fennel, & Baby Potato Salad in Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette over Wild Arugula
- Roasted Red Snapper with Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, & White Wine
- Marinated Zucchini Ribbons
- Risotto with Basil Pesto
- Amaretto & Chocolate Semifreddo in Dark Chocolate Glaze
SEASIDE FLAVORS
- Tuscan Bread, Tomato, & Basil Salad
- Striped Bass with Ginger, Leeks, & Shiitake Mushrooms
- Lemon & Chive Risotto
- Sicilian Fennel Salad with Orange & Mint
- Crunchy Almond Biscotti
FRESH ITALIAN CLASSICS
- Orecchiette with Roasted Vegetables Sicilian-Style
- Stuffed & Rolled Mediterranean Sea Bass with Fragrant Three-Herb Pesto
- Caramelized Plum Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinegar & Tarragon
- Salt-Roasted Potato Salad with Crispy Bacon & Scallions
- Fresh Berry Medley with Mint & Prosecco
SPRINGTIME CELEBRATION
- Crispy Crab-Stuffed Ravioli with Roasted Asparagus & Aioli
- Red Snapper in "Crazy Water"
- Spicy Cabbage Slaw
- Pea, Saffron, & Pine Nut Risotto
- Moist Lemon-Almond Cakes with Warm Strawberry Sauce
SUMMER SEASIDE FEAST
- Tuscan Shrimp & Cannellini Bean Salad over Arugula
- Mediterranean Sea Bass Sicilian-Style with Pine Nuts, Olives, & Raisins
- Caramelized Baby Carrots with Tarragon & Garlic
- Tuscan-Style Cannellini Beans with Sage & Rosemary
- Miniature Apple & Amaretto Cakes with Cinnamon-Scented Whipped Cream
COUNTRY FLAVORS
- Tuscan Three-Cheese & Roasted Beet Souffle' over Baby Greens
- Spice-Rubbed Pork Medallions in Warm Apple Glaze
- String Beans with Radicchio & Balsamic Vinegar
- Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Garlic & Oregano
- Amaretto & Chocolate Tiramisu'
MEDITERRANEAN FAVORITES
- Flaky Broccoli & Cheese Pie over Baby Greens
- Mediterranean Sea Bass in Lemon-White Wine Sauce
- Sauteed Spinach with Garlic & Chili
- Marsala-Glazed Baby Carrots
- Miniature Orange & Poppy Seed Cakes with Lemon Icing
RUSTIC FAVORITES
- Wine-Poached Shrimp & Sweet Peppers in Crisp Phyllo Baskets over Baby Greens
- Braised Chicken with Leeks, Bacon, & Red Wine
- Roasted Fennel with Shaved Parmigiano
- Country Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
- Dark Chocolate Log Laced with Orange Zest
TUSCAN TRATTORIA
- Crispy Spinach & Three-Cheese Phyllo Triangles over Baby Greens
- Slow-Cooked Lamb Chops with Red Wine, Orange Zest, & Olives
- Roasted Asparagus with Parmigiano
- Old-Fashioned Polenta with Mascarpone & Chives
- White Chocolate & Apricot Bread Pudding in Warm Chocolate Sauce
HARVEST FEAST
- Caramelized Onion & Bacon Focaccia over Baby Greens
- Smoked Pork Chops with Apples & Beer
- Warm Lentil Salad with Mustard & Herbs
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Nutmeg & Parmigiano
- Almond-Scented Orange Cake with Dark Chocolate Glaze
HEARTY CLASSICS
- Old-Fashioned Polenta with Wild Mushroom Medley
- Braised Beef Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions & Red Wine
- Risotto with Butternut Squash & Leeks
- Roasted Cauliflower with Smoked Mozzarella & Bacon
- Crispy Fruit- and Chocolate-Stuffed Phyllo Triangles with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
AUTUMN IN MILAN
- Warm Parmigiano & Spinach Rolls over Baby Greens
- Classic Veal Ossobuco Milanese-Style ($10 per person supplement)
- Leeks au Gratin with Parmigiano
- Saffron Risotto
- Raspberry Mousse with Bittersweet Chocolate Swirl
TASTE OF NORTHERN ITALY
- Risotto with Red Wine, Rosemary, & Goat Cheese
- Tender Chicken Morsels in Wild Mushroom-Cream Sauce
- Chive-Scented Ricotta Gnocchi in Aromatic Herb Butter
- Slow-Roasted Savoy Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic
- The Ultimate Tiramisu
WINTER FEAST
- Crepes Stuffed with Two Cheeses & Shiitake Mushrooms in Béchamel Sauce (groups of 20 or less)
- Lamb Ossobuco with Mint Gremolata
- Roasted Garlic Risotto
- Fennel with Caramelized Bacon & Sage
- Grand Marnier Mousse with Fresh Berries
FIREPLACE DINNER
- Orecchiette with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, & Ricotta Salata
- Veal Chops with Marsala & Wild Mushrooms
- Individual Potato Gratins with Cream & Nutmeg
- String Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Thyme
- Tuscan Rice Pudding Mini Tortes in Dark Chocolate Glaze
Gifts & Add-ons
Gourmet Gifts: Make your culinary event even more memorable for guests by purchasing copies of Micol's two cookbooks (Rustico, nominated for a James Beard Award, and The Italian Grill) at the special discounted price for groups of 12 or more (quantity discount on Rustico: $25 / Italian Grill: $20). You can also purchase handsome embroidered RUSTICO COOKING aprons for guests as a special souvenir (quantity discount: $15 per apron).
DVD of your cooking experience: We can videotape your private cooking event and send you a professionally rendered DVD. You'll feel like you're on your very own cooking show! The cost is $350 for this unique memory. Please inquire upon booking your event.
"On behalf of everyone, a special thank you goes out to you for making our holiday party a unique event. Everything from the wine tasting to the delicious food made for a very special evening. Your signed award-winning cookbook was also exceptional. Thanks again. We hope to do it again next year." Iris, NMA Entertainment & Marketing
Our Staff
Micol Negrin
RUSTICO COOKING was launched in 2002 by Milan-born Micol Negrin. After obtaining a Psychology Degree at McGill University despite gnawing doubts that what she really wanted to do was to cook, Micol decided to take the plunge and enrolled in culinary school. With a degree from Canada’s premier culinary academy, L'Institut du Tourisme et de l'Hotellerie du Quebec, Micol moved to New York City and became the Editor and chief writer for The Magazine of La Cucina Italiana. For six years, until she resigned, Micol wrote and edited full-time... but in her heart, she knew she wanted to be back behind the stove, cooking for people who wanted to experience a true taste of Italy and teaching Italian cooking to anyone eager to roll up their sleeves.
And so, once again, Micol followed her dreams. In April 2002, she started teaching Italian cooking in NYC. Then, in January 2005, she opened Rustico Cooking, a state-of-the-art cooking loft in Midtown Manhattan, where she hosts cooking lessons, wine tastings, team-building events, and private cooking parties.
Author of two highly acclaimed cookbooks - the James Beard-nominated Rustico: Regional Italian Country Cooking and The Italian Grill, both published by Clarkson Potter - Micol has taught Italian cooking across North America and writes for major publications (including Cooking Light and Bon Appetit).
Dino De Angelis
Dino De Angelis - Micol's husband - earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from McGill University in Montreal. The couple moved to NYC in 1995, when Dino was hired to do cutting-edge biomedical research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
During the summers, Dino took time off from research to photograph Italian food and landscapes for Micol's cookbooks and magazine articles. He also designed the Rustico Cooking web site and is the webmaster. In 2006, Dino decided to take a plunge himself, and went into the family business full time. Dino occasionally teaches at RUSTICO COOKING and, with Micol, leads the couple's week-long cooking tours to Italy.
Gerry Biordi
Gerry honed her cooking skills while living in Bologna, Italy for 7 years. After returning to New York, she owned and operated a catering company for several years. She graduated the Culinary Management Program at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. She interned at the Italian Culinary Center, working both in the kitchen and on photo shoots for The Magazine of La Cucina Italiana.
Sydney Schwarz
After completing the Culinary Arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC, Sydney immersed herself in the world of European cheese by heading up the New York outpost of well known cheese and gourmet foods retailer Formaggio Cambridge. Missing the kitchen, she decided to apply her culinary knowledge to launching a personal chef business focused on weight management cooking: www.pointschef.citymax.com.
Elizabeth Simms
Having worked in four NYC restaurants, Elizabeth M. Simms is now a personal chef, caterer, culinary writer and teacher. Though cooking had always interested her (culinary shows on PBS were some of the few tv programs her mom allowed her to watch growing up), she attended and graduated from Brandeis University. However, sending away for a culinary school brochure during her senior year cultivated the idea that maybe neither academia or a desk were meant to be. Following a half-year stint working in offices post-graduation, it is now five years later, and one finds Elizabeth happily ensconced in her right place.
Melissa Ricketts
While working professionally for several years in the corporate arena, Melissa decided to focus on her true passions: food and travel. After graduating with highest honors from the Institute of Culinary Education and externing at Gramercy Tavern, she launched Dynamic Cuisines, a personal chef service. Melissa also launched Dynamic Destinations, a travel planning service. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Costas Mouzouras
RUSTICO COOKING's Wine Director was born and raised in Cyprus. From a childhood pruning, harvesting and stomping grapes in the family vineyard, Costas was fascinated with how wine is made and develops, and how it brings people together. Costas moved to NYC when he was 19, where he began working full-time on his BA.
Today Costas runs Gotham Wines & Liquors in Manhattan, where he has set many new trends. He lectures on wine to food industry professionals and amateurs, and is a regular radio show guest wine expert (every Monday in season on WSNR Radio). He has been quoted in the Wine Spectator and the New York Sun among other publications.
To keep in touch with what's new, what to stock, and what to recommend to his loyal following, Costas tastes 25 to 30 wines per week. Costas believes that wine should be enjoyed in moderation, but definitely imbibed! Costas hosts RUSTICO COOKING's private wine tastings for such diverse clients as AmEx, Victoria's Secret, Roche, Unilever, Nestle Waters, Lehman Brothers, and more.
Client Testimonials
The event last night was amazing and I could not begin to know where to thank you, so I will just dive right in. The menu was fantastic and the wine complemented the food perfectly. You and your staff were tremendously helpful and kept our Googlers very busy and happy. As you know our group is diverse but equally enthusiastic. You and your staff were attentive to our every need and created a great evening for everyone. Thank you once again for such a good time! Steve R., Google
Thank you so much for orchestrating a wonderful evening!! We were having so much fun that the night flew by so quickly. The food was absolutely delicious and I can't wait to try my hand at some of those recipes at home. Thank you again for a fantastic and very memorable party. Pam K., NYC
Our team wanted to extend our thanks to all of you for your help in our event!! We had a wonderful time and it was, by far, the highlight of our 3 day meeting. The team couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had and what a great time it was cooking with their colleagues. It definitely helped us get to know our teammates as people and see their "out of work" personalities and talents. You were fantastic hostesses and really helped us put together a great meal. We found it to be so tasty and all of us cleaned our plates!!! Thanks again for all your help in coordinating the logistics, determining the menu, and ensuring a seamless, wonderful, fun, delicious time for my team. We hope to see you again soon!!! Jennifer, Ernst & Young
I just wanted to write to say thank you for a wonderful afternoon on our Team Building Cooking Event. The entire process from first making contact with you to the final event was wonderfully organized and seamless... The relaxing atmosphere and the welcome was very much appreciated. The teamwork that you & your staff showed set the tone for the event and made the event even more enjoyable and memorable. Discussing the experience whilst we were eating the fruits of our labor, every member of the UKTI Team said that they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I can say now a few were apprehensive about their cooking skills. Mainly me. As you saw the lunch was extremely popular from the number of my colleagues that came back for seconds. The menu that you provided and the dishes that we eventually chose complemented each other very well. It is obvious that a great deal of thought has gone into the menus. I cannot praise your efforts enough. Once again it was an absolute pleasure to meet you and spend time with you. I will gladly recommend your services to colleagues and friends for future teambuilding events. Harjit, British Consulate-General NY
Our group had the best time Monday evening. They were still talking about the experience yesterday morning. We are fondly remembering the flavors of the risotto and wishing we could have it every day. The team-building experience held great value for us... Many thanks for taking such great care of us and for keeping to your word that it would be a memorable experience. Karen, American Cancer Society, Eastern Division
I would like to thank you very much for all of your help in setting up the event for me and my team. Everything really went beautifully. The timing of the whole event was perfect. We all enjoyed working with your extremely friendly and informative staff. I think a few of us even learned a few things! Many people on my team remarked on how this was the most creative and fun team building event that they have ever participated in. I would certainly recommend it to other people within our organization. Jen, Accenture
We cannot thank you enough for our time spent at Rustico. You were successful at helping everyone feel like a master chef and you could not have taught the classes with more charisma or poise. Your level of professionalism is impressive and it was our pleasure to have shared the evenings with you. We look forward to working with you again in the future. Katie & Michael, Chilton Investment Company
Let me thank you for the scrumptious meal and Micol's gracious, gentle presence. It was a wonderful experience, precisely what we were looking for. Anne, Weight Watchers
Thank you for an incredible evening! You made my planning easy – I got rave reviews as Maid of Honor for taking everyone to your loft! I will certainly pass on my recommendations to other groups looking for something unique and fun to do. We’re all very impressed. Much thanks for your time and expertise! Ali, Boston, MA
Thank you all for a truly spectacular dinner party. We had such an amazing time and so did all our friends. Everyone is still telling us what a creative idea the party was, how much fun they had, how much they learned, and how delicious all the food was! I loved seeing everyone so into the cooking preparation. The evening surpassed my expectations and was a wonderful way to celebrate Ben's birthday. We will continue to recommend Rustico Cooking to all our friends and colleagues. Thanks for everything! Hillary, NYC
Thanks for the wonderful experience. Everything went flawlessly and beyond our expectations. We look forward to another event with Rustico in the future. Please send our thanks to the Chefs who assisted as well. They were also awesome. Rachel, Unilever
Thanks for giving us such an enjoyable evening... everyone had a good time and loved the meal. Your doing some of the preparations certainly made the cooking a breeze for us; yet fooled us into thinking we were responsible for the delicious results... The convenience of your facility and the beautiful room and equipment added to our enthusiasm. Janet, Skadden Arps
You're the best... I have received nothing but compliments on your Friday cooking class.... everyone really enjoyed themselves. Thank you for making "me look good"!! Linda, NYC
Micol - I can't thank you enough for an amazing night of fabulous wine, sumptuous food, and most importantly - FUN! We have a fairly new group and it was such a great team building experience for everyone involved. From start to finish, you proved to be a warm and gracious Italian hostess who not only located a great space to hold the event but who coordinated the menu, wines, food, and social atmosphere. My group can be hard to please at times, as they have done it all, however, I received such positive kudos the next day - I was speechless. Thank you again for an amazing night of food, cooking and fun. I would recommend your classes to one and all. Andrea, Ladies' Home Journal
I must thank you for a sensational, memorable evening!! Gary was on cloud nine the whole time, and beyond. And all the guests seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. I've had effusive notes of thanks from all over. I thought the menu was exceptionally well-organized and executed down to the very last detail, and yet it all appeared spontaneous and fun for everyone involved. Your invisible talents at doing all this are extraordinary. My only fear now is "How do I top this for next year?" You are the best!!! Richard, NYC
Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you so much for your hospitality. The professionalism of you and your team combined with the wonderful menu and lovely setting made our afternoon a rousing success. Paula, Personnel Decisions International
We had a wonderful evening at the Rustico Cooking Studio. You made the class a fun learning experience and the dinner was delicious. Thank you again for creating such a memorable culinary experience for me, my colleagues and our guests. Michael, Cooking Pleasures Magazine
Micol, thank you for a fabulous time. My team loved it. The secret to slicing an onion was the water cooler conversation of the morning. And you have inspired us to start our own cookbook. I think that your style and the recipes are spot on... I am a raving fan of Rustico Cooking! Mary M., Women & Co.
Micol, a great team building was had by all! Our department is still talking about it!!! Dr. Toni (who just happens to be our company's infectious disease doctor) was very impressed over how sanitary everything in your facility was... Both you and your staff's professionalism was outstanding. Thank you for making our event a success!!! I will definitely recommend you to other departments in our company for their team building day. Arlene, Eisai
We cannot thank you enough for everything! From our first moment there, you put us at total ease. The whole team had a wonderful time and could not stop talking about it the next day! More importantly, it gave us a chance to get to know new team members in a relaxing and informative environment. Jodi, LexisNexis
Thank you. It was a wonderful space and you are a great host. If I could ever act as a reference to you and your company please feel free to call on me. Thank you again for a wonderful evening. Nick, NYC
Thanks so much for being such wonderful hosts and instructors. My group had a wonderful time and we're looking forward to coming back and trying more things on your menu! It was a great bonding experience and you were wonderfully patient with us. Lisa, Prefer Network
From start to finish, the event was terrific! We loved how we were able to collaborate with you to plan the menu, taking into account dietary restrictions and personal preferences. Your responsiveness to our suggestions and your expertise made the event run seamlessly. Everyone enjoyed the environment– being in a professional kitchen with such great equipment to learn and experiment with was exciting. Your skill in coordinating everyone to work together and accomplish the seemingly complicated task of preparing a gourmet meal is impressive. The event was so collaborative and fun that not only did we learn new things about cooking technique, Italian cuisine and wine but also about each other. At the end of the evening, it was so fun to sit down and enjoy our wonderful meal. The night ended to rave reviews from everyone involved – we cannot wait to do it again. Jennifer, Update Legal
We thoroughly enjoyed last night... everyone is talking about how great the food turned out! Thank you for your wonderful instruction and amazing recipes. I will be sure to use them when I have company over. Anisha, Deutsche Bank
Micol, thanks for everything. The evening was more successful than I even hoped it would be. It will be the benchmark for all of our future gatherings. Lisa, Houston, TX
It is quite fair to say our event was better than we anticipated. As you know it is not often that our expectations are exceeded. We received calls the very next day thanking us for such a perfectly executed elegant event. Our clients were quite impressed. You and Costas were the perfect team and I really liked his laid back style. It was just the right touch of wine and education and fine drinking... the wines were excellent as well. Futhermore, your staff was warm and kind... JJ, JJ Burns & Co
Thank you so much to you and your staff for showing us a wonderful time on Saturday afternoon! Everyone raved about the cooking class. What a great way for everyone to get together and have fun! We were all impressed at how good everything tasted... not bad for a bunch of first-timers. I'll be trying out a few of your recipes this week from your cookbook; I'm sure they will be great as well. Thank you again for your hospitality and for a wonderful day! I will definitely be back to cook with you soon. Nikki
On behalf of our team, I would like to express our sincerest thanks for your help with our team building event. Everything was fantastic!! Our team is still talking about how much fun they had and how wonderful the entire meal tasted. I will certainly pass along this experience to other teams within our organization. Once again, thank you for a memorable event and we look forward to cooking with you again in the future. Cathie, General Motors Asset Management
Micol - thank you SO much! We all had a GREAT time! The food was excellent and the wine was a great complement!! Mark (and the rest of us!) really enjoyed ourselves!! We will definitely do it again!! Jenn, NYC
We all had a fantastic time. What a great group experience! Cooking definitely is a team bonding experience. Thanks again. Lois, NBC
Thank you for a truly enjoyable evening. You and your staff were wonderful. You provided a very fun atmosphere for us to simply show up, get right into the action, and then relax and enjoy the benefits of our hard work. The next day, my team members could not stop talking about the evening. The wine tasting was very educational, and the wine selection was a perfect match to the evening’s menu. Everyone raved how fantastic the meal was... Andrew, Pfizer
Micol, thanks again for the class last night. It was so much fun - and I really learned a lot. The food (and wine) were wonderful. Thanks again for a great evening. Sharon, American Express
Everyone commented on how much they enjoyed the night, and I'm still getting thank yous in my in-box from people at the client's. I've already heard comments from my management that we might be able to do a class with other clients as well, and if so you can be sure where we'll call - the decision is an easy one. I know I'll be back and can't wait until then. Ben, First Health
Thank you for a wonderful evening! We had an absolutely fabulous time, it was really beyond our expectations. I can only hope that with time I can duplicate tonight's results at home. Everyone enjoyed your instruction, the food, and the wine. Margaret, Saddle River, NJ
Corporate Clients
- Accenture
- ADP
- AIG
- American Cancer Society
- American Express
- Ameriprise Financial
- Apple Computers
- Architectural Digest
- Aventis
- Axis Interactive Media
- Baccarat
- Bain & Co.
- Bank of America
- Barnes & Noble
- Bayer
- Better Homes & Gardens
- Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC
- BMO Capital Markets
- Bootstrap Software
- British Consulate-General NY
- Bryant Park Hotel
- Buchanan Ingersoll
- Carmel Gourmet Club
- Chase Merchant Services
- Chilton Investment Company
- Christies
- Cisco
- CIT
- Citigroup
- Coach
- Cohn & Wolfe
- Colgate Palmolive
- Continental Airlines
- Cooking Pleasures Magazine
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore
- Credit Suisse
- Darby & Darby
- DDB
- Deloitte
- Deutsche Bank
- Disney
- Eisai
- Ernst & Young
- First Health
- GE
- GM
- Goldman, Sachs, & Co
- Harrison and Star
- Healthworld
- J.P. Morgan
- Jackson Lewis
- Jefferies
- Jet Blue
- JJ Burns & Co
- Johnson & Johnson
- Kiehl's
- KPMG
- Lacoste USA
- Ladies' Home Journal
- Lehman Brothers
- LexisNexis
- Liquid Net
- Liz Claiborne
- L'Oreal
- Macy's
- M & M Mars
- Marsh
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Sauteing our way to a fabulous dinner.
Plating chicken with forty cloves of garlic, roasted garlic risotto, and eggplant with garlic confetti.
A recent seafood cooking class featured wine-poached shrimp over baby greens.
Everyone is busy cooking.
Molten chocolate cake ready to be devoured.
Wolf ranges - You'll only cook on the best appliances at Rustico Cooking.
Knife skills are essential to good cooking.
General Information
Private Cooking Parties
Details on our parties are available in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Rustico Cooking is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and is easily accessible by subway, bus, or car, steps from the Empire State Building.
WHEN: We offer both daytime and evening events... Let us know when you want your party!
WHERE: Our address is
Rustico Cooking
40 West 39th Street
Third Floor
New York, NY 10018.
GETTING THERE: You can take the 4, 5, or 6 trains to Grand Central, or the F or V trains to Bryant Park-42nd Street. If you prefer the bus, take the M1, M2, M3, or M4 along Fifth and Madison Avenues, or the M6 and M7 along Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
PARKING: If you are coming by car, there is a parking lot on West 39th street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, on the north side of the street (closer to Fifth).
WHAT TO WEAR: Flat shoes and comfortable clothing are required for your safety and comfort. Please avoid high heels and loose sleeves.
COST: Standard Private Parties cost $125 per person, plus an 18% gratuity. This includes a finger food and wine reception at the beginning of the event, followed by hands-on cooking, and a three-course meal (one appetizer, one main course with two side dishes, and one dessert) served with two wines. Minimum group size is 12 guests (16 guests in December).
CONTACTING US: The best way to reach us is by email at micol@rusticocooking.com or dino@rusticocooking.com. We can also be reached by phone at (917) 602-1519.
VISITING US: We run events and classes in the morning and the evening, so all visits are strictly by appointment - no walk-ins... Please email us or call us ahead if you wish to schedule a visit, and we will gladly find a mutually convenient time.
We are located at 40 West 39th Street, Third Floor, New York NY 10018
Event Request Form
Our online event request form makes it easy to inquire about availability of Rustico Cooking for your private event. Just fill out the form, including the date and time at which you would like to have a cooking event, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Rest assured that we respect your privacy: your contact information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else. Also view our printable frequently asked questions
Reservation Deposit
Ready to book a particular date and time for your cooking event? In order for us to hold the date for you we require a deposit which covers you for 12 guests at $125 pp plus 18% gratuity (total $1,770). You can do so by calling us at 917-602-1519 or by using the secure payment link provided here. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as Paypal if you have an account.
Please note the payment is not refundable or transferable to another date, since we will be refusing parties for that same date.