Looking to hone your knife skills? Maybe you’ve always wanted to try canning, but you require a classroom setting. Clueless what to do with your bumper crop of zucchini next year? Then perhaps you should check out the wide variety of cooking classes this Fall at Foster’s Homeware. Even if you’re busy, all of Foster’s classes are intimate, one-day-only, and most average 2 hours in length. They are quick little seminars to refresh, educate and enhance the skills for the home cook. Accomplished local chefs and food bloggers are your faculty and the prices are incredibly reasonable.

Example of basic classes being offered include Home Canning (tomatoes), Authentic Italia (basics in making your own tomato sauces), Late Summer Cuisine (seasonal foods prepared in Latin American flavors), Fish Without Fear (basic knowledge and techniques of fish preparation) and Shop With the Chef (a mini field trip to the farmer’s market and what you can do with your goodies back at Foster’s).

If you’re looking to get your hands a little dirtier, Foster’s offers intensive hands on courses offering concentrations in cooking techniques such as roasting, poaching and building basic soup stocks.The most popular course, Hands On Knife Skills, is offered several times throughout the season and although Foster’s does not issue prerequisites, they recommend you take the Knife Skills course before some of the classes. We assume this is so you can keep up in said classes.

There’s also something to pique the interest of those who prefer to learn while eating, rather than participate. For this outfit, Foster’s offers demonstrations, which include a New Orleans-themed brunch, a class highlighting a single ingredient (such as zucchini), and French standards for Julia Child admirers. One demonstration of particular note is the Sausage and Salumi class, which is taught by Brad Spence of Vetri fame, involving how to preserve/cure of beef and pork.

All courses are reasonably priced, ranging from $39 to $59 per class. To learn more or sign up, you can check out Foster’s website or call the store.

Foster’s Homeware, 399 Market Street. 215-925-0950