Are you intimidated by a quivering block of tofu? When you invite friends for dinner, do you frequently hear "Gosh, love to, but I'm having teeth pulled that night." How many of your recipes contain the word "surprise" -- as in "Five Bean Surprise"? Do you remember why you purchased the buckwheat flour that's remained unopened in your pantry for the past eight months? Uh, huh, I thought so. It's time for some cooking classes. Check out these three innovative programs.

Let the chef come to you! ETHAN KNISKERN, who honed his chops with Jean-Robert de Cavel at The Maisonette then took the helm at York St. Café and Tropicana, is offering a series of four in-home classes -- "Meals for a Lifetime." Kniskern tailors his schedule and class content to meet your lifestyle, while taking your culinary skills to the next level and increasing kitchen confidence. Not sure how to identify seasonal produce or a good cut of halibut? Field Trip! He'll show you where and how to shop for the best and create your own meals for a lifetime. Contact him at 513-367-1887 or EthanKniskern@hotmail.com.

Food, art and community reflects the philosophy of DAVID WARDA and BLYTHE WALKER, who bring their parallel lives in the kitchen and the theater to form "Global Cuisine," a series of classes offered on Wednesdays at Madison's Produce, Ridge Market (6142 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge). Warda, a popular cooking instructor at Jungle Jim's, is an acclaimed artist, costume designer, make-up artist and photographer as well as author of Assyrian Cookery, Exotic Foods That Outlasted a Civilization, while Walker, who owns Seymour House B & B, is internationally renowned in opera and musical theater. With great expression and creativity, they'll teach three classes: "Dairy-Free for Lent and Beyond" on Feb. 25; "Vegetarian Passover" on March 31; and "Spring Meze" (Middle Eastern tapas) on April 28. Each class is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Madison's. To register: 513-366-4760.

Live to 100 and look 20 years younger! "Cooking for Health, Youthful Looks and Longevity" is a series of classes offered by ADRIENNE COOPER and DR. VLASTA MOLAK in Molak's Finneytown home. Molak, a biochemist, and Cooper, an alternative health practitioner, have designed a course to teach you about the newest scientific discoveries regarding the impacts of diets and lifestyle choices on our health and the health of the planet. This hands-on class and cooking demonstration -- followed by a 10-course meal -- is limited to eight participants each Wednesday. Lunch course runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; dinner course 6-8 p.m. To register: 513-521-9321 or vlasta1@email.com.