When Different Drummer’s Kitchen store announced last year that it was being forced out of its home of over three decades at Stuyvesant Plaza in Guilderland, the owner expressed his disinterest in continuing its longtime cooking school after relocating the kitchenware shop to Crossgates Mall. This news prompted Caroline and Paul Barrett to start planning for a replacement.
For three years, Paul managed the DDK culinary program, known as the Albany Cooking School, while Caroline, a seasoned home-cooking columnist for the Times Union, taught classes there for 12 years.
The result of their planning is Capital Cooks, a cooking school, event space, and co-op kitchen situated in a former warehouse in the same Colonie industrial park where Fidens Brewing Co is located. Capital Cooks will open on July 31 with a three-day cooking camp for kids. The school has scheduled 22 instructional events from now until September 1, with a September calendar yet to be released. These events will mostly consist of one-evening, hands-on classes that last two-and-a-half hours and cost $79 or $89. The instructors, all of whom previously taught in the DDK program, include Caroline Barrett with weekly classes centered on international cuisine, popular area chef Ric Orlando, and Yasuo and Kathy Saso, who previously owned the Saso’s Japanese Noodle House in Albany.
Paul Barrett expressed his satisfaction with the response from the public, saying, “We’ve been very pleased to see how much the word is getting out there and people are signing up, even with the minimal promotion we’ve done.”
The Capital Cooks space, which is still undergoing construction, will feature prep tables, an instructor’s station, and six pods equipped with induction cooktops for the participants. Additionally, there will be electric ovens and a range of necessary equipment for classes with a maximum capacity of 18 to 24 students. Barrett did not disclose the exact cost of opening the business but mentioned that it was a significant investment.
Aside from cooking classes, Capital Cooks will also be available for cooking-focused private functions such as birthday parties, bridal showers, and corporate team-building events. The owners envision it as an alternative, more engaging activity compared to traditional dining experiences. Private sessions require a minimum of 10 people, and organizers can request a specific instructor or have one matched by the Barretts. Menus can be tailored to accommodate dietary preferences, allergies, and aversions. The business is also in the process of obtaining a license to serve beer and wine.
Another section of the 2,300-square-foot space will serve as a co-op kitchen that can be rented. While it can be utilized for one-time sessions on an hourly basis, Barrett prefers the arrangement of having new or expanding food operations commit to a specific number of hours every week or month. This allows for better collaboration and support, particularly for those starting out in the culinary industry.
Barrett acknowledged that there are currently no similar rental kitchens available in the immediate Capital Region. However, he mentioned that The Lost Boys Kitchen, a similar concept, is being developed in the former Jillian’s building on North Pearl Street in Albany and is scheduled to open about a month after the Capital Cooks co-op kitchen.
Barrett stated, “We know there’s a need for all three parts: the school, private events, and the co-op kitchen,” emphasizing the importance of the kitchen. He drew from his wife’s experience in establishing the food line Our Daily Eats 20 years ago, starting with just a wok at the Troy farmers market. Today, Our Daily Eats produces a range of muesli, granola, and nuts and seeds mixes. The Barretts hope to build relationships with budding entrepreneurs and share their expertise on permits, packaging, and other aspects of the food industry. They believe that the symbiotic relationship can thrive in the same building where they hold classes several nights a week.
To conclude, Capital Cooks is an innovative cooking school, event space, and co-op kitchen that aims to fill the void left by the closure of the Albany Cooking School. With a variety of classes, private event options, and a rental kitchen, it offers a unique and engaging culinary experience for individuals and food businesses alike.
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