Denver’s Most Delicious Date Night Idea is ‘Stir Cooking School’
Meet the Owner | Katy Foster
Hi Katy! What is your story leading up to starting “Stir” ?
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My name is Katy Foster and I opened Stir in 2010 after running the Sur la Table cooking school program in Dallas. I moved to Denver because my family lived here and I was looking for a change. I’d always loved teaching and I couldn’t wait to share my experiences with Denver.
Are you from Colorado? Which neighborhood did you eventually choose to call home?
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I live in the Montclair neighborhood of Denver. My husband and I have 2 kids and we absolutely love the neighborhood and our local elementary school. We settled on this neighborhood because it’s still very close to downtown and the heart of Denver but it’s also very neighbor-hoody. Good yards, kids riding bikes on the streets. Lots of neighborhoods we looked at didn’t have that same vibe.
Where are you located? Why did you choose this neighborhood for your business?
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Stir is located at 32nd and Zuni in LoHi. When I first opened Stir, LoHi was not really developed at all. I Choose this neighborhood because it was really up and coming in 2010 to 2013. The growth in LoHi over the last 13 years has been huge!
What makes “Stir” Unique?
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Stir is a recreational cooking school open to the public. We offer hands-on cooking classes in a group setting! We have something for everyone; from date night classes to international and baking classes. Lots of fun classes for everyone! At Stir we really focus on making cooking fun, it’s not a chore to cook. It brings out so much creativity and our goal is for everyone to love it!
Can you describe the Date Night Cooking Classes and the other fun Classes you Offer?
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Date night classes are for couples looking for a unique date night! You’ll get to cook with your favorite date and get to know other couples! Baking and Pastry classes are offered 2-3 times a month during the day on weekends. We often focus on seasonal desserts and trends such as laminated doughs! We offer a full bar at Stir where guests can order wine, beer, and cocktails throughout the class.
What challenges have you experienced on your journey?
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We definitely have your typical labor and food cost challenges but one challenge that has been consistent in the 13 years we’ve been open is the difficulty in adapting to food trends. With what we do it’s very important that we adapt our class offerings. And sometimes we can miss an opportunity or completely get wrong. For instance a class that would sell out in 2019 may not be popular in 2023. So we have to be sure to be on top of what guests want to learn.
What are examples of dishes people can expect to make in a ‘Stir Class’?
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We offer such a variety to fit everyone’s preferences! Here are few favorites: Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly Bao Buns with Peanuts & Cilantro in our Bao Buns & More class; Traditional Shrimp & Grits in our Perfect Southern Brunch class; Cornish Game Hen Fricassee with Peas & Tarragon in our Summer Nights in Paris class; Thai Pork Larb with Thai Basil, Herbs with Lettuce Wraps in our Tastes from Around the World Class.
Shout out to your Team! What makes your team amazing?
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I absolutely love our team! What I love the most is everyone’s different backgrounds and their desire to teach others their knowledge. We have a team that’s from all over the country which brings so many different experiences and elevates the vibe of Stir. We all truly believe that we can all learn from each other.
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Here is a link to our amazing team: https://www.stirtolearn.com/the-stir-team
How would you describe the Personality or “Vibe” of Denver?
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I’d describe Denver’s personality as a beautiful combination of laid back progressiveness, diversity and outdoor adventure. I love how many small businesses have sprouted in Denver and everyone is supportive of each other in their endeavors.
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