Give a guy a fish, and he'll eat for a day; teach a guy to make perfect sushi rolls, and he'll be the culinary king of the cul de sac. Find out why your soufflé always falls or learn the basics of braising and roasting and the dark art of broasting with today's Groupon: for $25, you get a three-hour Basic Cooking 101 class from Ridgewood Culinary Studio in Ridgewood (a $50 value).

Ridgewood Culinary Studio's enthusiastic, hands-on approach to cooking brings out the creative side of every would-be kitchen czar. First-time slice-and-dicers can spread out in the fully equipped commercial cooking studio, in which sautéing sessions stay small for individualized attention. The relaxed three-hour class is taught by expert chefs and imparts the foundational skills necessary for preparing staple meals, with a special shout-out to time-pressed families. Learn the secrets of a well-stocked pantry, as well as the subtle nuances of portion sizing. Like fresh bread soaking up spilled milk, guest cooks can absorb all the nutritional information, tips, and techniques dumped in front of them, such as how to properly chop vegetables and how to make soup with only a stone and a can of soup.

A fun, low-key atmosphere of learning pervades Ridgewood's spacious, sunlit kitchen. Apron-clad culinarians sail forth with their new hash-slinging skills, ready to wow their ex-college roommates and show off to formerly scornful cutting boards.