Teacher

Frances Wilson

FRANCES WILSON can’t remember a time when her life has not revolved around food, from an early age cooking with her mother and then professionally as a chef and teacher. There are some that will say it’s all she ever thinks about!
Frances trained as a high school teacher of Home Economics in her native Ireland. She moved to Berkeley in 1990 and was Executive Chef at the award-winning Lalime’s Restaurant for a decade, followed by four years as Culinary Director at Château Routas in Provence, France, where she catered to chateau guests and ran cooking classes.
For 10 years, Frances was Professional Culinary Instructor at Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco, leading both the Professional Program and weekend specialty classes. She has taught at many other Bay Area venues including the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Sur la Table, and Copia and the Silverado Cooking School in Napa.
Frances is passionate about teaching people how to cook real food with great local ingredients. She wants her students to know that cooking simple meals doesn’t have to be a chore but can be a fun time spent with family and friends.

Upcoming classes taught by Frances Wilson

Vegetable Technique

Part of the Learn to Cook More: Vegetable Forward Series

Stretch your culinary imagination while learning to create outstanding meals with a diverse selection of vegetables at the center of the plate.

Sat Jan 17 | 11A

Learn to Cook More: Vegetable Forward

This 4-week course continues to build your cooking prowess with vivacious vegetable recipes, soup and salad standouts, dough making, and the art of hosting informal food gatherings.

Sat Jan 17 | 11A

From the Sea

Part of the Learn to Cook (Wednesdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Learn to select seafood and prepare it using a variety of techniques. We will also practice grain and vegetable cookery skills, with plenty of inspiration and recipes to expand your repertoire.

Wed Jan 21 | 6P

From the Sea

Part of the Learn to Cook (Thursdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Learn to select seafood and prepare it using a variety of techniques. We will also practice grain and vegetable cookery skills, with plenty of inspiration and recipes to expand your repertoire.

Thu Jan 22 | 6P

Soups and Salads

Part of the Learn to Cook More: Vegetable Forward Series

This session focuses on soups and salads, in all their splendid diversity! We’ll share ravishing recipes, and you’ll also learn to improvise your own, incorporating flavors from around the globe.

Sat Jan 24 | 11A

From Field & Garden

Part of the Learn to Cook (Wednesdays)—Winter 2026 Series

In this vegetable-focused class, we will work with a rainbow of seasonal produce—including varieties you may never have cooked with before—to make healthy, inviting, nourishing meals.

Wed Jan 28 | 6P

From Field & Garden

Part of the Learn to Cook (Thursdays)—Winter 2026 Series

In this vegetable-focused class, we will work with a rainbow of seasonal produce—including varieties you may never have cooked with before—to make healthy, inviting, nourishing meals.

Thu Jan 29 | 6P

Rolling in the Dough

Part of the Learn to Cook More: Vegetable Forward Series

Learn to make, roll, and shape doughs so you can turn out great crusts every time. We’ll use homemade and store-bought doughs in a variety of recipes.

Sat Jan 31 | 11A

Taking Stock—Chicken & Leftovers

Part of the Learn to Cook (Wednesdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Stock your pantry and freezer with basic ingredients for easy menu planning and prep. We’ll show how a simple chicken and pantry staples can produce enticing meals all week long.

Wed Feb 04 | 6P

Taking Stock—Chicken & Leftovers

Part of the Learn to Cook (Thursdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Stock your pantry and freezer with basic ingredients for easy menu planning and prep. We’ll show how a simple chicken and pantry staples can produce enticing meals all week long.

Thu Feb 05 | 6P

Feasting with Friends

Part of the Learn to Cook More: Vegetable Forward Series

It’s the Learn to Cook More series finale, and we’re throwing a casual get-together! Learn to plan and host your own informal food gatherings. We’ll cook a feast created by you and your classmates.

Sat Feb 07 | 11A

Comfort—Braises & Beans

Part of the Learn to Cook (Wednesdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Winter months call for heartwarming dishes to nourish us through the new season. Learn to make comforting braises, hearty bean dishes, and satisfying main-course salads.

Wed Feb 11 | 6P

Comfort—Braises & Beans

Part of the Learn to Cook (Thursdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Winter months call for heartwarming dishes to nourish us through the new season. Learn to make comforting braises, hearty bean dishes, and satisfying main-course salads.

Thu Feb 12 | 6P

Breakfast All Day—All About Eggs

Part of the Learn to Cook (Wednesdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Learning to cook with the versatile egg leads to countless tempting meals. Join us as we poach, fry, boil, bake, soufflé, and scramble our way to egg expertise.

Wed Feb 18 | 6P

Breakfast All Day—All About Eggs

Part of the Learn to Cook (Thursdays)—Winter 2026 Series

Learning to cook with the versatile egg leads to countless tempting meals. Join us as we poach, fry, boil, bake, soufflé, and scramble our way to egg expertise.

Thu Feb 19 | 6P