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We teach the basics of Appalachian cooking in an unforgettable way! We make sure each class is seasoned with fun, history, and a bit of folklore.
We offer live demonstration classes where you get to watch, learn, and then eat! Sit back and relax as we prepare an authentic Appalachian inspired meal. You will get to take home some great memories along with recipes to try in your own kitchen.
Our homestyle kitchen is well equipped to create an atmosphere of learning. Our instructors incorporate culinary techniques to make cooking easy and less stressful. Our main ingredient is fun!
Watch, learn and then eat! In our Demonstration (Demo) Cooking Classes, guests will watch and be entertained as a classic Appalachian meal is prepared. Guests will hear some vibrant history and tales of Appalachian life and cuisine.
Cook and eat an authentic Appalachian meal! Our Hands-On Cooking Classes are interactive and fun! Guests will measure, chop, and cook a meal together with one of our chefs. Afterward, they will sit down to enjoy the meal they prepared.
You can schedule a private hands-on cooking class! Our private classes are great for small groups who want to have fun and learn in the kitchen together. This highly interactive class is perfect for a family reunion, bachelor or bachelorette party, corporate team event, or simply a group of friends looking for a fun activity. Your group will learn how to cook and prepare an Appalachian-inspired meal. After your meal is prepared, you will sit down and enjoy the meal together. To schedule a private event, send an email to:
Stephanie Foley, co-founder and head Chef of Smoky Mountain School of Cooking, brings her rich Appalachian heritage to life through her culinary expertise. Raised in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Stephanie grew up on a dairy farm where she spent her summers cultivating gardens, preserving food, making hominy and lye soap, curing meat, and creating cobblers, pies, cakes, and savory dishes in the kitchen.
Stephanie’s love for cooking was deeply inspired by her mother and grandmother. These ladies mentored her in the kitchen. As a young girl, she would sit on a barstool, absorbing the techniques and recipes they practiced. These early experiences shaped her culinary skills and passion, which she now shares through her cooking school.
Stephanie has been featured as a guest chef on various television cooking shows, including KET, a Public Broadcast Station, and BBC Network UK. Notably, the filming for these shows took place right in the Smoky Mountain School of Cooking kitchen. She appeared as a guest chef for Chef Paula McIntire on the Hamley Kitchen television cooking series, where she showcased her Black-eyed Pea Skillet Cornbread recipe, a dish that speaks to her Appalachian family roots.
A graduate of Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in arts with an emphasis in education. Her dedication to preserving her Appalachian heritage and her belief in the sacredness of Sunday family dinners continue to influence her approach to cooking and teaching.
Stephanie is married to Shawn Foley, co-founder of Smoky Mountain School of Cooking. Together, they have two grown daughters, Sarah Smith (husband Jared) and Katie Smith (husband Elliot Smith), and a grandson, Spencer Smith.
Shawn and Stephanie Foley.
In our Demonstration Cooking Classes, an instructor will prepare the meal while you sit back, relax, listen and learn. Then, you will get to eat the meal that is prepared.
If you are in our Hands-On Cooking Classes, you will be working with the instructor and fellow students in the kitchen as you learn the basic techniques for preparing the items related to your class. You will measure, chop, and cook the food with other students. Then, you will enjoy the prepared meal together.
Whether you are new to the kitchen or have years of experience, there is a class for you.
Most classes run between 2 – 2 ½ hours.
If a particular class will be shorter or longer, that information will be noted in the class posting and sign up.
Signing up is easy! Just click the link below to go to our list of great classes!
Online class registration payments can be made with any credit card or bank card. If registering on-site, we can also take cash. However, we recommend registration in advance to reserve your spot, as seating for each class is limited.
A Gift Card is a great way to share the joys and pleasures of Appalachian cooking!
Add the Smoky Mountain School of Cooking and Appalachian Store to your next vacation plans! Located in Gatlinburg at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we are a convenient stop for souvenirs, gifts, homemade treats, and more. Make your getaway trip special by learning a little traditional cooking. Plan a session at our cooking school today!
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