Like learning to juggle, learning to cook requires patience, a distraction-free environment, and the ability to handle multiple eggplants at once. Become the ringmaster of your kitchen with today's Groupon: for $40, you get one handmade pasta class at La Cucina at the Market (an $85 value).

Run by Anna Maria Florio, the daughter of Italian immigrants, La Cucina at the Market imparts vital culinary arts to its students in intimate, informative classes. Students plunge their hands into the world of handmade pasta in Making Handmade Pasta: Easy as 1, 2, 3, which runs through the art and science of noodle and sauce. In classes of up to 15 people, pupils knead, roll, and slice pasta dough to infuse homemade Italian entrees with a personal touch. Nascent noodle artists acquire the art of lengthy fettuccine and broad pappardelle, and afterward pastacrafters will be able to construct an edible sculpture of a penguin in formalwear using bowtie-mimicking farfalle.

Learn to liven up luscious noodles as the class concludes with lessons in how to make three separate sauces. Pecorino and fresh basil pesto, marinara napoletana heavy with tomatoes, and meaty ragu alla bolognese can all add enticing spice and character to pasta dishes, much like a fruit basket-hat can enhance the Venus de Milo. Check out La Cucina at the Market's schedule for upcoming class dates.