The kitchen is statistically the most dangerous room in a home because it contains the highest concentration of knives, open flames, and pots full of semi-living lobsters. Learn to navigate this danger zone with today's Groupon: for $29, you get one cooking class at Central Market ($60 value), with locations in Houston.

Central Market enlightens the epicurean masters of tomorrow with instruction from the gourmet gurus of today, having previously hosted guest professors such as the renowned Cat Cora and Mario Batali. Meal mentors post classes in Houston every four to six weeks, usually providing 26–30 options per month. Whether it's your first time holding a skillet or you're looking to polish your sushi skills after finally discovering how to uncook fish, Central Market provides coaching for every experience level. Curious foodies can peruse an array of informative options, including sharpening knife skills ($60), making indulgent desserts ($50), creating Italian favorites ($55), and fine-tuning a soufflé filled with an event horizon. Running roughly 2.5 hours each, sessions are offered most days of the week. Most hands-on classes can accommodate about 18, while demonstration classes can accommodate up to 48, depending on location. See Central Market's frequently asked questions pages for more information.

With a flow as flexible as a wind-up serpent and a full-view European-style layout, the Central Market entices appetites with a bountiful produce department, hundreds of cheeses, and thousands of wines. The aromas of coffees and hot-baked breads tantalize nostrils while aisles of cosmopolitan ingredients ignite the imagination toward mad culinary concoctions that transform shy, retiring frozen-meal warmers into maniacal chefs with a penchant for violently preparing gourmet courses.

Reviews

More than 130 Yelpers give Central Market's Houston location a 4.5-star average.

• They have a variety to choose from including sushi, Mexican, Italian, and I believe I even saw a wine class on there. You can't dawdle on those classes though--they fill up fast! – Cory O., Houston location, Yelp, 09/10/2010
• The class itself was great: the head instructor demonstrated cutting techniques with potatoes, fruits, fresh herbs, cheeses, and then you got to practice on your own ingredients. – Arnel S., Houston location, Yelp, 09/01/2010