I love to cook but honestly, I’m just not that great at it. My two worlds collided on this day when one of my very favorite restaurants taught me to cook their signature meal!

I recently had the opportunity to take a class with Benihana’s Be the Chef program and honestly, I haven’t had that much fun in a LONG time. The “Be the Chef Basic Package” includes a one-on-one training session, learning the art of teppanyaki from one of Benihana’s master chefs.

The lead chef at the Scottsdale location, Chalula, was my instructor and man, is he a PRO! Not only is he a great chef, but he’s also a great instructor. He knows the “Benihana” way like the back of his hand. He’s actually been working at Benihana for 17 years!

Having him instruct me was such an honor. I truly learned so much about my favorite restaurant.

I was most excited to learn how to make their signature fried rice. And I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t just as excited to learn a few of the tricks.

The package is $200 for four people (guest chef and 3 guests) where you get to enjoy a 6-course meal of soup, salad, shrimp appetizer, hibachi vegetables, Splash ‘N Meadow entrees, homemade dipping sauces, Japanese hot green tea and ice cream.

This program was honestly such a good experience. The chef taught me lots of performing tricks and believe it or not, I actually caught a shrimp tail in my chef hat. We cooked their signature fried rice and turned it into a beating heart which I’m totally going to recreate at home.

We also made the onion volcano, which I think I was most nervous about but Chef Chalula explained it all so well that I was able to perform it on the first try!

We also cooked shrimp and steak and I totally impressed myself.

Everything tasted so amazing and I loved getting to help cook. The biggest take-away for me were the knife skills that I was able to learn.

I had so much fun at Benihana’s Be the Chef program! Click here to learn more. This post is sponsored by Benihana, all thoughts and opinions are my own.