New West Side Market Cooking Class Debuts in March

Chef Eric Wells guides participants through Cleveland's historic market before teaching them to cook dishes like Southern shrimp and grits and fried chicken.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The West Side Market in Cleveland is introducing a new monthly cooking class called 'The Chef's Cut: A West Side Market Experience' led by Chef Eric Wells. Each class will start with a tour of the historic market to learn about its history and meet local vendors, followed by a hands-on cooking class where participants will prepare a gourmet meal using fresh ingredients from the market.

Why it matters

The new cooking class offers an immersive experience for visitors to engage with Cleveland's iconic West Side Market, supporting local businesses and providing an educational and culinary adventure. It also aligns with the market's ongoing 'Transformation Project' to revitalize the historic landmark.

The details

Each monthly class will be limited to 16 students and will include a tour of the West Side Market led by Chef Eric Wells, where participants will learn about the market's history and meet local vendors. After gathering fresh ingredients, the group will head to Cornucopia Place for a hands-on cooking class where they will prepare a multi-course gourmet meal, including dishes like Southern shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and peach cobbler 'martinis'.

  • The first class is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Chef Eric Wells

A private chef who leads a number of cooking classes at Cornucopia Place.

West Side Market

A historic public market in Cleveland, Ohio that is undergoing a 'Transformation Project' to revitalize the landmark.

Cornucopia Place

The location where the hands-on cooking classes will take place, located at 7201 Kinsman Rd in Cleveland.

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What’s next

Class registration for the March 15th cooking class is available on the West Side Market's website.

The takeaway

The new West Side Market cooking class offers an immersive experience for visitors to engage with Cleveland's iconic market, support local businesses, and learn to prepare gourmet dishes using fresh ingredients sourced directly from the market's vendors.