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Whether you are booking a class, starting a culinary career or investing in your team, start here.
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Before your class
Do I need any cooking experience?
No experience is required. Our classes welcome beginners and experienced home cooks alike, and our chefs guide you through every step.
What time should I arrive?
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Another class may be finishing when you arrive, so we ask that you wait outside until our team welcomes you into the kitchen.
Where do I park?
We are located at 2041 Barracks Road in Charlottesville. You are welcome to park in any unmarked space in the shared main lot. The lot fills quickly on evenings and weekends, so plan a few extra minutes to find a space.
Will we eat during class?
Yes. Every class ends at the table, where you enjoy the dishes you prepared. Because cooking takes time, a light snack beforehand is a good idea.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes with a low heel, and tie back long hair. We provide an apron.
Will I receive the recipes?
Yes. Every guest takes home a printed copy of the recipes.
Do you serve wine or alcohol?
We do not serve alcohol. Non-alcoholic beverages are provided.
Can I bring my child or teen?
Our public classes are designed for adults and mature students. Participants should generally be 8 or older. For younger cooks, see our summer camp.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel more than 48 hours before your class for a full refund or to reschedule. Within 48 hours, we are unable to offer a refund because ingredients and chefs are already booked. You are welcome to transfer your spot to a friend.
Planning an event
Do you offer private classes?
Yes. Private classes are built around your celebration and work best for groups of 6 to 12 guests. For 12 or more, we offer culinary demonstrations led by our chefs. Plan a private class.
Can you host a class on a date not listed on the calendar?
Often, yes. Private classes on other dates typically require a group of 6 or more. Tell us your preferred date and we will check availability.
Can you teach a class at our location?
Yes. We can lead classes in corporate, university and private kitchens that have the appropriate equipment.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes. Gift cards are available in our online shop.
Do you offer catering?
No. We are a cooking school and culinary workforce training provider, not a catering company.
Starting your culinary career
What is GO Cook?
GO Cook is our seven-week, hands-on culinary training program. In more than 130 hours in a professional kitchen, you build real cooking skills and the professional skills that help you succeed on the job.
Do I need kitchen experience?
No. We look for passion and a drive to grow, not a perfect resume.
What credentials will I earn?
Graduates earn nationally recognized ServSafe and AHLEI Certified Kitchen Cook credentials.
What happens after I graduate?
Every student gets a job interview, and you choose the opportunity that fits you. Graduates also stay connected to our team for ongoing mentorship as their careers grow.
Where is the training held?
GO Cook trains at The Kitchens at Reynolds Community College in Richmond’s East End.
Can GO Cook count toward a college degree?
Yes. Through our relationship with Reynolds Community College, students can earn transferable credits. GO Cook is the only culinary workforce training program in Virginia that offers this.
How much does GO Cook cost?
Tuition is $5,200, a fraction of the cost and time of traditional culinary school. Payment plans and scholarships are available for qualifying students.
How large are the classes?
Each cohort has 6 to 8 students, so every student receives individual attention.
What is the difference between a cooking class and a training program?
A cooking class is a single session focused on a recipe or skill. A training program like GO Cook prepares you for a culinary career over several weeks, with credentials and job opportunities at the end.
Investing in your people
How does Culinary Concepts AB work with employers?
We help hospitality employers build a solid foundation through training. Most employers begin by developing the team they already have, then grow that team with trained talent from our programs.
Are you a staffing or recruiting agency?
No. We are not recruiters; we are connectors. We train people and connect employers with talent pipelines they may not have found on their own.
What makes your training different?
Our training goes beyond technical skills. We help each person recognize the strengths they already bring, build professional skills like communication and accountability, and see a clear path forward in their career. People who understand their value show up differently.
Can training be customized for our operation?
Yes. A dedicated training cohort is built around your team, the way your operation runs and your staffing schedule.
How will we know how our people are doing?
You receive weekly progress reports covering attendance and punctuality, skills progress, professional skills and instructor notes.
Do you offer team development outside of hospitality?
Yes. The Brigade is our hands-on team development experience for groups and teams in any industry, hosted in our Charlottesville kitchen or at your location. Explore The Brigade.
Do you offer kitchen consulting?
Yes. Our consulting focuses on kitchen operations and systems, including workflow, station setup, recipes, prep and ordering systems. Learn about consulting.
How do we get started?
Start with a conversation. We will learn about your team and goals, then recommend the right path. Connect with our team.
Who we are
What is Culinary Concepts AB?
Culinary Concepts AB is a culinary workforce training organization founded in 2018 by Chef Antwon Brinson. We prepare people for culinary careers, strengthen the teams that employ them and help food businesses grow.
Where are you located?
Our headquarters is in Charlottesville, and we operate in 3 locations across the Commonwealth, including our training kitchen at The Kitchens at Reynolds in Richmond.
What are your hours?
Visits are by appointment. Our hours vary with our training schedule, and private classes are available on weekends by reservation.
Do you support food entrepreneurs?
Yes. Our Entrepreneur Empowerment Program (EEP) gives culinary entrepreneurs the skills, resources and community to grow their businesses. Learn about EEP.
Is Culinary Concepts AB an approved training provider?
Yes. We have been a Virginia Career Works approved training provider since 2020.
How can I invite Chef Antwon Brinson to speak?
Visit Chef Antwon Brinson’s speaking and press page for topics, media resources and booking.