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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Stephen

La Quinta, CA, United States

USD
$209-$250 per person

Palm Springs Corporate Team-Building Cooking Class

Host offerings
  • House
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Stephen

Although Chef Stephen originally studied audio engineering, his true passion has always been food and cooking. Nearly three decades ago, his now-wife Jennifer inspired him to pursue a culinary career, saying, "You are doing a great disservice to the world if you don't become a chef." He went on to earn a degree in the culinary arts and has spent most of his career working in fine dining restaurants. After moving to La Quinta to be closer to family, Stephen now works as a personal chef. He loves sharing his culinary knowledge, teaching pro-level techniques, and telling stories from his years in the industry. His hands-on experiences are ideal for corporate events, team-building sessions, or anyone looking to learn from a seasoned chef in a fun and engaging way.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (9-15 guests) Bring your team together for a fun and flavorful corporate supper club experience in Palm Springs with Chef Stephen at his modern La Quinta home. Begin with drinks and light snacks as Chef Stephen shares stories about life in Palm Desert and his culinary journey. Then, gather for a family-style lunch or dinner, served indoors at his dining table or outdoors on the patio when weather permits. Choose from a Southwestern, Spanish (paella), Mediterranean or other custom menu, perfectly paired with wine or beer. This interactive dining experience is ideal for corporate groups, team-building events, or large gatherings, offering a relaxed and memorable way to connect over exceptional food and local flavors.

Cooking experience: (9-14 guests) Bring your team together for a fun and interactive corporate cooking class in Palm Springs with Chef Stephen at his modern La Quinta home. Enjoy drinks and snacks as your host shares stories from his years as a professional chef before diving into an immersive, hands-on Southwestern-inspired team-building experience. Compete in exciting culinary challenges like the Blind Salsa Taste or Guacamole Remix Contest, where teams use creativity and collaboration to craft the winning dish. Then, cook alongside Chef Stephen as you prepare a fresh, seasonal three-course meal while learning professional cooking and plating techniques. Afterward, relax and enjoy your meal together with wine or beer. Chef Stephen can also create a customized interactive cooking experience featuring tamale making, crab cakes, or quesadillas. He accommodates all dietary preferences and allergies, making this an inclusive and memorable team-building event in Palm Springs.

Notes:
1. Chef Stephen requires a 50% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. The remaining balance is subject to a 7-day cancellation policy, which differs from our standard 48-hour policy.
2. Chef Stephen can fully customize the menu and experience. Please include any dietary requests (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) or competition ideas when creating your booking.
3. This home has cats, but your host keeps them in a separate room during your experience.
4. Have questions? Email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Appetizer: Blue corn cake with carnitas or braised chicken with an avocado salsa and pickled red onions
  • Cooking class challenge: Guacamole or Salsa making
  • Main: Grilled flank steak with roasted peppers and onions served with a pineapple and chili rice
  • Dessert: Peach crisp with oat and nut crumble served with vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled in warm caramel

Traveler reviews

5.0 (12)
Chef Stephen is just amazingly talented and creative! This is my second time taking his cooking class and both times have been amazing!
- rachel May 07, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
We had a delicious meal with Chef Stephen and learned some new techniques food pairing. Chef has a lovely kitchen and is very personable. Would definitely recommend.
- obin January 04, 2026
We had such a wonderful experience with The Traveling Spoon and Chef Stephen. Visiting his home felt warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived. The meal was absolutely delicious, and we loved learning a few cooking tips along the way that we’ll definitely use at home. After preparing the dishes together, we sat down and enjoyed a relaxed and tasty dinner with Chef Stephen. It was personal, fun, and truly memorable. Highly recommend!
- Kim November 08, 2025
Read More

Stephen

$209-$250 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 9+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $209
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 9+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $209
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Stephen

Although Chef Stephen originally studied audio engineering, his true passion has always been food and cooking. Nearly three decades ago, his now-wife Jennifer inspired him to pursue a culinary career, saying, "You are doing a great disservice to the world if you don't become a chef." He went on to earn a degree in the culinary arts and has spent most of his career working in fine dining restaurants. After moving to La Quinta to be closer to family, Stephen now works as a personal chef. He loves sharing his culinary knowledge, teaching pro-level techniques, and telling stories from his years in the industry. His hands-on experiences are ideal for corporate events, team-building sessions, or anyone looking to learn from a seasoned chef in a fun and engaging way.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (9-15 guests) Bring your team together for a fun and flavorful corporate supper club experience in Palm Springs with Chef Stephen at his modern La Quinta home. Begin with drinks and light snacks as Chef Stephen shares stories about life in Palm Desert and his culinary journey. Then, gather for a family-style lunch or dinner, served indoors at his dining table or outdoors on the patio when weather permits. Choose from a Southwestern, Spanish (paella), Mediterranean or other custom menu, perfectly paired with wine or beer. This interactive dining experience is ideal for corporate groups, team-building events, or large gatherings, offering a relaxed and memorable way to connect over exceptional food and local flavors.

Cooking experience: (9-14 guests) Bring your team together for a fun and interactive corporate cooking class in Palm Springs with Chef Stephen at his modern La Quinta home. Enjoy drinks and snacks as your host shares stories from his years as a professional chef before diving into an immersive, hands-on Southwestern-inspired team-building experience. Compete in exciting culinary challenges like the Blind Salsa Taste or Guacamole Remix Contest, where teams use creativity and collaboration to craft the winning dish. Then, cook alongside Chef Stephen as you prepare a fresh, seasonal three-course meal while learning professional cooking and plating techniques. Afterward, relax and enjoy your meal together with wine or beer. Chef Stephen can also create a customized interactive cooking experience featuring tamale making, crab cakes, or quesadillas. He accommodates all dietary preferences and allergies, making this an inclusive and memorable team-building event in Palm Springs.

Notes:
1. Chef Stephen requires a 50% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. The remaining balance is subject to a 7-day cancellation policy, which differs from our standard 48-hour policy.
2. Chef Stephen can fully customize the menu and experience. Please include any dietary requests (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) or competition ideas when creating your booking.
3. This home has cats, but your host keeps them in a separate room during your experience.
4. Have questions? Email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Appetizer: Blue corn cake with carnitas or braised chicken with an avocado salsa and pickled red onions
  • Cooking class challenge: Guacamole or Salsa making
  • Main: Grilled flank steak with roasted peppers and onions served with a pineapple and chili rice
  • Dessert: Peach crisp with oat and nut crumble served with vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled in warm caramel

Traveler reviews

5.0 (12)
Chef Stephen is just amazingly talented and creative! This is my second time taking his cooking class and both times have been amazing!
- rachel May 07, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
We had a delicious meal with Chef Stephen and learned some new techniques food pairing. Chef has a lovely kitchen and is very personable. Would definitely recommend.
- obin January 04, 2026
We had such a wonderful experience with The Traveling Spoon and Chef Stephen. Visiting his home felt warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived. The meal was absolutely delicious, and we loved learning a few cooking tips along the way that we’ll definitely use at home. After preparing the dishes together, we sat down and enjoyed a relaxed and tasty dinner with Chef Stephen. It was personal, fun, and truly memorable. Highly recommend!
- Kim November 08, 2025
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 9+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $209
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 9+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $209
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 7 days before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 7 days are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 7 days or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.