For those looking to add a little comfort food to their wheelhouse this fall and winter, Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse in Wilmington teaches participants how to make some favorites at home.

Little Loaf, 3410 Wrightsville Ave., is one of many Wilmington-area establishments that offer classes for those looking to learn more or brush up on their culinary skills.

Upcoming classes at Little Loaf include pizza date night with homemade sourdough pizza, pasta making from scratch, pumpkin-shaped dinner rolls, cake and cake decorating, sourdough basics and specialty holiday classes.

Owner Julia Castellano comes from Italian and Belgian roots and grew up in New York. As a professional baker, Castellano knew she wanted to start her own business after constantly experimenting in her kitchen during the pandemic. She realized that “All I want to do is be an old lady that gets up before the sun and makes bread and pastries in solitude and peace. This is something I could do and love forever.”

Castellano said she loves that her creations bring people together through her instruction.

“Our wonderful classes vary, from learning the basics of sourdough to cake decorating. Every class is very hands-on and packed with information so that you can feel confident in practicing your new skill at home,” she said.

Owners Jackie and Juan Moncada of Little Olive Co., 242 Princess St., said they wanted their shop to be about more than high-quality oils and vinegars when they purchased and rebranded the location in 2024. In two years, the space has become a haven for cooks of all skill levels.

“If you’ve never cooked before, (our chefs) will walk you through it,” Jackie Moncada said. “It’s a place to have fun and cook at a relaxing, slow pace.”

Classes include creations such as handmade pasta with honey butter tomato sauce, a masterclass of marinades, vinaigrettes and salsas, the art of risotto and Polish-style pierogis. Another feature of cooking classes at Little Olive Co. is how the dishes incorporate the shop’s oils and vinegars, allowing students to make future selections based on taste preferences and recommendations.

Guests can sign up for cooking classes directly through the website and learn about recipes and the history of olive oil.

In 1995, The Seasoned Gourmet opened a small, 1,000-square-foot space. Eleven years later, Randy Newton purchased it and expanded it to the 4,400-square-foot location at 5500 Market St., where it operates today. Veteran-owned, the shop includes an operating kitchen where the Cape Fear Food & Wine Club, established in 2011, regularly offers cooking and wine education classes.

The food and wine club is a not-for-profit organization that boasts culinary lessons and private events for home cooks and wine enthusiasts.

“Whether you are a food lover who wants to sharpen your culinary skills or a novice who simply wants to learn in a fun and engaging cooking environment, Cape Fear Food & Wine Club is here,” according to the club’s page on The Seasoned Gourmet’s website. “We are proud to feature diverse, delectable dishes and many instruction courses to help educate you in everything from wine selection to knife sharpening.”

Hands-on techniques include making pasta, sauces, knife skills, food and wine pairings and seasonal cuisine. Upcoming classes include a fall wine and cheese pairing with sommelier Mike Summerlin and a fall menu with chef AnneMarie Clark, featuring pumpkin goat cheese phyllo bites and maple-glazed pork tenderloin with apples and sweet potato stacks.

Through DeMarco Family Kitchen in Wilmington, Kevin DeMarco has made learning how to cook different dishes a true experience for 25 years. Inviting guests into his personal home kitchen on Sunset Avenue, he offers classes for all skill levels and ends by letting students enjoy everything made around the family dining table.

Upcoming classes focus on Indian cuisine. Classes take place on select Saturdays at 11 a.m. and cost $150 per person.

“Grab a friend and join us for a unique cooking experience in our quaint, professional home kitchen,” the website states. “We believe that food is good for the body and cooking is good for the soul.”

-Writer Lily Crowder contributed to this article