It’s hardly news that cooking classes are all the rage these days, but finally there’s a class with something for everyone. Corner Kitchen is offering a customized bistro-menu cooking class where students can pick from a vast menu exactly which entrées, mains and desserts they want to create. New summery additions to the already huge selection include bacon-wrapped scallops, buttermilk fried chicken, prawn pesto burger with spicy aioli and the holy grail of bistro cooking: the soufflé. Check out the prices and full list of options on their website: www.corner-kitchen.com. G/F, 20 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan, 2803-2822.

If Japanese cooking is more your thing, then look to Inagiku’s tempura and sushi demonstrations this September. Led by Chef Mitsuru Tamura, the class will reveal the secret recipe behind the 150-year-old restaurant’s tempura. And no, it’s not just the “special” sesame oil. Classes begin at 6pm from Sep 9-11 at $598 per person, followed by a food tasting at the restaurant. The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2733-2007.

On a healthier note, the InterCon is taking a more relaxed approach to the cooking-class craze. At the Pool Terrace, Chef Laurent Andre will be conducting a series of cooking lessons, including a health class starting at 10am with a poolside breakfast, followed by a demonstration on how to make three healthy dishes such as beetroot carpaccio and pan-seared stuffed sardines. Such exertions are followed by—what else—a three-course poolside lunch. $1,088 per person, starting Sep 13. Pool Terrace, 3/F, InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Rd., Kowloon, 2313-2323.

So maybe all those cooking classes didn’t quite pan out the way you thought they would and you’ve decided to leave the kitchen stuff to the pros. Head to Harlan’s for something equally homey but with the added benefit of you not having to step foot inside the kitchen. To welcome the coming autumn, they’re doing a roast promotion that features Italian baby pig (piglettini?) served with peperonata ($598) and a sea-salted catch of the day, dressed with Sicilian lemon ($580). Shop 2075, L/2, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2805-0566.

What if you were the undisputed queen bee at the cooking class and are now convinced you’re the next Jean-George? Well, come size up the competition at the Island Shangri-la’s Chateau Palmer wine dinner on Sep 11. The evening starts with a scrambled organic Marans egg with truffle beef jus and goose liver mouillette, followed by a grilled Aveyron lamb saddle and a cheese platter from Bernard Antony. To finish, dessert is a black fig tart with Arbousier honey ice cream. Yes, it is pricey at $2,788 per person but don’t forget that every course is accompanied by a perfectly matched premium wine. Petrus, 56/F, Island Shangri-la, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, 2820-8590.

Finally, we’d just like to run a quick mention of the renovated and newly reopened Kikuzen in Harbour City. Formerly just plain old Kikuzen Japanese Cuisine, say hello to Kikuzen Yakiniku. New additions to the menu include live teppanyaki as well as daily seasonal seafood specialties from Japan. Shop 402, L/4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2918-9189.