Culinary Arts

Welcome to our exquisite cooking facility in the Kuniansky Family Center,The Henry and Etta Raye Hirsch Culinary Arts Studio. Our spacious kitchen offers the opportunity for children, adults, and families to learn culinary techniques and create delicious dishes! Our state-of-the-art studio is a dairy/vegetarian kitchen. Our team of experienced cooking instructors offers a range of cuisine and cooking styles that will cater to every palate.

Private Classes for Adults

From team building and corporate events to a couples’ night out and bridal showers, the MJCCA's culinary classes are a great way to experience the joys of cooking, without the cleanup!

The center’s all-inclusive package is a recipe for a good time, providing all ingredients, cookware, wine, and include about three hours with a professional chef and assistant.

The spacious kitchen can comfortably seat up to 15 guests as they prepare a full meal including appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Packages start at $40 per person.

Children + Family Classes

From the foundations of cooking to preparing for dorm room dining, the MJCCA's culinary classes serve up a range of offerings to help children of all ages gain kitchen skills.

Meet Our Chefs

	Howard Schrieber has been cooking ever since he was two years old. Howard credits his culinary knowledge and success to the women who inspired his passion for cooking—his grandmothers and mom. Howard attended Appalachian State University, where he studied Food Science and Restaurant & Hospitality Management. He currently works as the Culinary Studio Coordinator at the Kuniansky Family Center at the MJCCA.
	Victoria Barayev, mother of four, became a psychologist at 22, but later found her calling as a Health Coach. After experiencing her own health setbacks, Victoria discovered the power of nutritious eating and natural remedies. She works as a Certified Nutrition Counselor, lectures locally and internationally, presents cooking demonstrations, and has authored her own cookbook.
	Nancy Gerson has dabbled in cooking since she was 10 years old. Her love for cooking and hosting parties led to her to become the owner of a catering business. She loves to make art out of her cooking creations. Her work as a Paraprofessional at Woodland Elementary School for the past 23 years and being a Scout leader for more than a decade has inspired her to teach art and cooking to children. She has been teaching at the MJCCA for the past five years.
	Zehavit Kaidar-Heafetz was born and raised in Israel. She grew up in a multicultural family of many chefs and bakers who paved her a way into the kitchen. The mother of three recently combined her career as a teacher and her passion of cooking into her current job—owning and operating Baking Smiles in Johns Creek, where she teaches culinary techniques and bakes delicious, sweet treats.
	Debbie Lewis was raised in the back of her mom's chocolate store. She was the shop's Quality Control Manager, aka Chief Taster. In college, Debbie discovered a whole new culinary world outside of desserts, and was eager to learn more. Now a mother, Debbie enjoys finding new ways to sneak healthy ingredients into delicious meals for her family—but she always ends the meal with a little chocolate!