Bad cook remedy

Culinary ineptness is a serious plague among college students, workaholics and video gamers named Ned.

Key symptoms include ingredient-mixing impotence, loss of spatula dexterity and recipe illiteracy. Failure to treat “culinary ineptness” may result in feelings of emptiness when opening the refrigerator, no invites to dinner parties, really boring meals and, in extreme circumstances, kitchen-location amnesia. Luckily, there’s a cure called cooking classes.

Although classes may not heal every cooking-related affliction—those who like the taste of Cheez Whiz are on their own—classes certainly help lead microwaving addicts toward healthier and tastier dining experiences.

Every month, the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op hosts a variety of hands-on cooking classes for adults and children. Think rustic Italian soups, tamales and dosas. It’s like a flavor explosion. Here are a few of the upcoming classes:

Tamale Party: One of the Co-op’s most popular classes—and for good reason. Tamales are notoriously difficult to make and instructor Gigi Warshawsky will teach participants how to make creative tamales from scratch, including barbecue chicken tamales with red onion and smoked Gouda, and butternut squash tamale pie. The class is Monday, March 22, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; $35 for Co-op members, $45 general.

Become a sushi master: Rolling sushi isn’t easy. It takes precision, skill and sticky rice. Dionisio Esperas will teach prime sushi-rolling techniques along with how to make nigiri, sashimi and other rolls. The class will be Tuesday, March 23, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; $35 for Co-op owners, $45 general.

Vegetarian Moroccan Feast: Harira lentil soup, vegetarian phyllo bastilla, moussaka, triple-nut baklava—need I say more? The class is Monday, March 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; $30 for Co-op owners, $39 general.

The Co-op also offers classes on wellness and fitness, and gardening. Visit www.sacfoodcoop.com for the full calendar.