Channeling Your Inner Top Chef

Learn to cook this month with creative cooking classes that fit your schedule. You can learn to decorate cupcakes in Fremont or learn the secret behind tasty tamales in Old Town Newark.

All cooking classes listed below are either free or well under $100, so you won’t go broke while learning to new skills for your home kitchen.

1. Take a Creative Cupcake class at Petit Fleurs, 41364 Paseo Padre Pkwy., in Fremont, and learn how to turn cupcakes into 3D cakes or single, pull-apart cakes. This new class costs $48 to enroll and all of the supplies are included. Petit Fleurs suggests using your new knowledge to create tasty desserts for a kid’s party. Classes are held on some Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The next available class is on March 19.
2. , 6800 Mowry Ave., offers teen cooking classes on the first Wednesday of every month. At 4 p.m., teens can participate in the Cooking Creations class, which is free with paid admission to the Teen zone. The featured treats are simple, sweet desserts that are both nutritious and easy to make. The next class is on Wednesday, April 6.
3. , 7015 Thornton Ave., offers tamale-making classes. This month, owner will teach classes on March 8, March 19 and March 24. Call ahead for times of classes, 510-792-9909. For $65, the Mexico Tortilla Factory supplies everything you need to make the tamales as well as cooking instruction and some tamales to take home.
4. Rouxbe teaches cooking in a whole new way by offering cooking classes online. With short 8 to 15 minute tutorials, people who have very little time can learn how to cook from home. One session costs $29.95 and the site offers sessions in multiple dishes and food styles. Students pick one lesson a week and a few related recipes to try as part of that week’s meal plan.
5. Did you miss Martin Yan of Yan Can Cook when he visited the last month? The television chef and author will offer another free cooking demonstration at the , 3600 Norbridge Ave., on March 19.