Selfup Cooking Classes in NYC: Cooking, Connection & Culinary Fun
If you’re looking for an interactive food experience that’s part dinner, part entertainment, and part learning, Selfup Cooking Classes (16 Beaver St, New York, NY 10004 | (646) 513-5713) is a standout in Lower Manhattan. Located in the Financial District, just steps from Wall Street and the Staten Island Ferry, Selfup blends the intimacy of a dinner party with the energy of a hands-on cooking class. Their polished studio features chef-led stations, open kitchens, and communal tables where strangers often leave as friends. With a 4.8 rating from 197 Google reviews, Selfup has built a reputation for team-building events, date nights, and private celebrations. Their classes run 24 hours by booking and cater to locals, tourists, couples, and corporate teams alike.
Menu & Services
Selfup offers a wide array of themed cooking classes, each designed as a multi-hour culinary adventure:
Italian Dinner with Tiramisu – $100 | 3 hours | Make handmade pasta and finish with a classic tiramisu dessert.
Mexican Fiesta Night – $100 | 3 hours | Learn authentic tacos, salsas, and festive pairings.
Asian Dumplings & Dim Sum Party – $100 | 3 hours | Hands-on folding and steaming of classic dumplings.
Pizza Making Class – $100 | 3 hours | Learn dough stretching and wood-fired pizza techniques.
Healthy Eating & Vegan Options – $100–120 | Seasonal menus focusing on wellness and plant-based cuisine.
Selfup also specializes in private events: bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate team-building sessions. For companies, they provide customized menus, wine pairing options, and even leadership activities baked into the cooking process.
Gift cards are available, and booking is simple via their website. They also advertise last-minute availability for spontaneous planners.
Review Summary
Positives: Reviewers highlight the “fun, interactive” vibe, knowledgeable chefs, and the balance of cooking plus dining. Guests praise the social aspect—many mention enjoying wine, conversation, and meeting new people while cooking. The ravioli and tiramisu often get singled out as standout dishes.
Negatives: Some guests felt the setting wasn’t as intimate as expected for the price. Others noted that it’s more about group fun than deep culinary technique.
Human Commentary: This fits NYC perfectly. In a city where people crave experiences as much as food, Selfup leans into social cooking. Think of it as a “culinary concert” more than a “cooking school”—ideal for groups and events, less so for aspiring professional chefs.
Location & Accessibility
Selfup’s studio at 16 Beaver St is right in the Financial District, surrounded by iconic NYC landmarks that influence its customer flow:
Wall Street & The NYSE – Brings in corporate teams for weekday bonding activities.
Battery Park & Staten Island Ferry – Tourists often plan a cooking class after sightseeing in Lower Manhattan.
One World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial – Visitors in the area can book classes to turn a day of sightseeing into a full evening.
South Street Seaport – Couples on date nights often combine a waterfront stroll with a cooking class.
Brooklyn Bridge Entrance – Ideal for tourists finishing their bridge walk and looking for an interactive evening plan.
The studio is subway-friendly, near the 1, 4, 5, R, W, J, and Z trains. It’s an easy walk for both office workers and tourists staying downtown.
Genius Marketing Analysis
GI (Genius Insight): Selfup thrives because it sells more than a class—it sells a memory. Cooking, laughing, and eating together become the highlight of someone’s NYC trip or team offsite.
MDA (Marketing Action): Lean into user-generated content. Encourage every class to post group photos with a branded hashtag (#CookWithSelfup). Offer small incentives (discount codes, free wine pours) to boost social media reach.
Genius Ideas (10)
Corporate Membership Plans – Offer companies recurring team-building sessions at discounted bulk rates.
Date Night Packages – Bundle a cooking class with wine and a photo keepsake for couples.
Seasonal Menus – Special holiday classes (Thanksgiving pies, Valentine’s chocolate truffles, Halloween treats).
Tourist Partnerships – Collaborate with local hotels and tour operators to bundle cooking classes with sightseeing packages.
Local Wine/Beer Collabs – Feature NYC breweries and wineries in select classes.
Solo Social Nights – Create “Singles Cooking Nights” as a fun alternative to dating apps.
Foodie Loyalty Card – Attend 5 classes, get the 6th at 50% off.
Chef’s Table Nights – Spotlight visiting chefs from NYC restaurants for limited-time classes.
Giftable Experiences – Promote Selfup gift cards during holidays as “The Gift of Experience.”
Instagram Live Cooking Demos – Stream snippets of classes to entice new customers to book.
Conclusion
Selfup Cooking Classes is more than just a cooking school—it’s an experience hub. Whether it’s a birthday bash, a corporate retreat, or a spontaneous night out, Selfup turns cooking into entertainment and connection. In a city full of fine dining and food trends, Selfup’s real strength is making guests the stars of their own culinary story.
📌 Source: Google Maps Customer ReviewQ & A
Q: What’s the average price of a class?
A: Most classes are $100 per person, with some specialty menus reaching $120.
Q: How long are the classes?
A: Typically 3 hours, including both cooking and dining.
Q: Do they offer private events?
A: Yes, for birthdays, bachelorettes, anniversaries, and corporate team-building.
Q: Can beginners join?
A: Absolutely—classes are designed for all skill levels.
Q: Is it family-friendly?
A: Yes, though most classes cater to adults; inquire about family or kids’ sessions in advance.
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