Okay, so I took my very first official cooking class, and it was an absolute BLAST. If you’ve been looking for fun cooking classes in Solomons, MD, let me put you on to No Thyme to Cook, a recreational culinary school sitting right on the water in Solomons Island. Robby (@nomtasticfoods) and I made calzones from scratch together, and honestly it was an absolute blast, lol.
The space itself is gorgeous, they teach everything from Cajun cuisine to fresh pasta and pretty much everything in between, and the class itself was hands-on, social, and genuinely so much fun. It’s the kind of experience that’s perfect for a date, a girls’ day, or honestly anyone who loves food and wants to actually DO something instead of just eat, ha. Highly, highly recommend if you’re anywhere near Calvert County. Here’s what to expect.
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What Makes No Thyme to Cook a Standout Cooking Class in Solomons
What makes this place special is that it’s a legit, purpose-built cooking school, not a random pop-up in someone’s kitchen. It sits right on Solomons Harbor in a gorgeous space with teaching kitchens spread over two floors, so there’s real room to spread out and cook. There’s also some genuinely cool history here, the property’s been in the founder’s family for over a century (it was once the old Bowen’s Inn), which gives the whole spot a rooted, local feel you don’t get at a chain. They run a huge range of classes for all skill levels, and the vibe is welcoming whether you’re a confident home cook or someone who’s nervous about turning on the stove. It’s easily one of the more unique things to do in the Solomons area.
What to Expect from a Class at No Thyme to Cook
Here’s the rundown on how it actually works, because I had a bunch of questions going in too.
The Hands-On Experience
My class was hands-on, which means you’re not just watching, you’re actually cooking alongside the chef and following along step by step, usually in small groups. We made calzones start to finish, and it was such a fun, low-pressure way to pick up real technique. Hands-on classes tend to run around three hours, so you get plenty of time to actually learn (and eat what you make). A huge shoutout to Chef Sue and the whole team for being so wonderful and patient the entire time.
The Range of Classes
The class list here is no joke. They teach everything from fresh pasta and sushi to sourdough, focaccia, tapas, and Cajun and Creole cooking, plus fun themed dinner nights. If you’d rather sit back and watch, they also offer demo-style classes (usually about two hours) where the chef cooks and you taste along. So whether you want to get your hands messy or just enjoy the show with a glass of wine, there’s a format for you.
Private Events and Kids Classes
Beyond the public classes, they do private bookings for date nights, birthdays, team building, and even micro weddings, plus classes for kids and summer camps for the younger crowd. Basically, if you’ve got a group and an occasion, they can build something around it. Just note most public classes have a minimum age of 16, so it’s more of a grown-up outing unless you’re booking a dedicated kids class.
Is No Thyme to Cook Good for Date Night?
100% YES. This is honestly one of the better date-night ideas in Southern Maryland. There’s something about cooking together, splitting the work, tasting as you go, that’s way more fun and interactive than just sitting across a table. Robby and I had a genuine blast, and I can see why couples book these classes. If you’re tired of the standard dinner-and-a-movie routine, a class here is a really memorable switch-up, and you get to eat everything you make at the end, which never hurts.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe is warm, social, and totally unintimidating, even as a first-timer, it all felt welcoming and low-pressure. The waterfront setting is a huge part of the charm; it’s bright, spacious, and genuinely gorgeous, and there’s a relaxed, everyone’s-here-to-have-fun energy in the room. Chef Sue and the team set the tone by being so wonderful and encouraging, and the energy in the room stayed warm the whole way through. It’s the kind of experience that’s just genuinely fun from start to finish.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 14624 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD
- Office hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10AM to 4PM (classes run on their own schedule, separate from office hours)
- Booking: reserve public classes online ahead of time; check the current calendar and grab your spot early since classes fill up
- Class formats: hands-on (about 3 hours) and demo-style (about 2 hours)
- Ages: most public classes have a 16-and-up minimum; dedicated kids classes and summer camps are offered separately
- Private events: date nights, birthdays, team building, and more can be booked as private classes
- Learn more and see the class calendar: nothymetocook.com
If you love food and want a hands-on, genuinely fun experience, No Thyme to Cook is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Solomons, and it’s absolutely one of the coolest things to do down in Calvert County. It’s perfect for a date, a group celebration, or a solo treat-yourself day. Make a whole trip of it too, pair your class with a stop at the Calvert Marine Museum and lunch at The CD Cafe, and you’ve got yourself a perfect Solomons day.
So there you have it, Nomsters, my first cooking class and definitely not my last. Have you guys ever taken a cooking class, or is this going on your date-night list? Let me know in the comments, and send this to whoever you’d drag into the kitchen with you.