Open Kitchen is NM Safe Certified in COVID-Safe practices and we are diligent in adhering to the following:

• Wearing masks (optional) and frequently washing hands.
• Adhering to the current NM Health Order regarding “mass gathering” and “indoor dining” capacity limits.
• Ensuring continuous sanitation and following of extensive cleaning procedures.
• All Open Kitchen team members are vaccinated and/or can demonstrate proof of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of their shift.  Further, all Open Kitchen team members are screened for COVID-19 related symptoms before their shift begins.

What We Ask of You:

• Please wait to cook/dine with us if you are feeling sick and/or experiencing symptoms associated with COVID 24 hours prior to attending an event, e.g., fever or chills, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
• If required, complete a COVID Declaration of Wellness when arriving for a PRIVATE event.
• All guests taking our PUBLIC cooking classes/events will be required to show proof of full* vaccination upon checking in for class. For those who are not vaccinated, we will also accept proof of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the event.  Further, you will need to allow us to take and record your temperature via a handheld thermometer upon check-in.
• *NOTE:  Per the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated: 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
• Wash/sanitize your hands prior to entering our facility and wash/sanitize your hands frequently during your event.
• Practice social distancing.  **NOTE:  For PUBLIC cooking classes/events, masks are optional in accordance with state regulation.

Some Important FAQs

1. Do I have to bring documentation to show proof of full vaccination and/or negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the event?  Yes
2. Will Open Kitchen Team wear masks during the cooking class?  Yes
3. Will I have to wear masks during the class when I’m cooking? Masks are optional in accordance with state regulation.
4. How many people will be at the cooking class?  At full capacity, we can accommodate 16 participants plus our Open Kitchen team of cooking instructors and cooking assistants.  Our space has 5 separate areas with a total square footage of over 1,800 so we will be able to spread out.
5. How will Open Kitchen arrange the cooking process?  We will arrange separate cooking stations and will set these 6 feet apart and/or in separate rooms in our space.
6. Who will be at my cooking station with me?  We will do our best to arrange cooking stations with participants who know each other.  However, the cooking stations will be set up with teams of 3 to 5 participants who will share in making the recipes.
7. Will I make all my own recipes?  Our classes are designed to give you a hands-on cooking experience. All of our class recipes are designed as collaborative with other participants sharing in the preparation of the menu.
8. Do I need to bring anything with me? Open Kitchen provides all ingredients, equipment, aprons, tools, and recipes. We also provide water with citrus for all classes.  You are welcome to bring an alternative non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy with your meal.
9. Do all classes serve food? At the end of our classes, participants are invited to take part in enjoying their creations. If you’d prefer to take your creations home, we will provide to-go containers.
10. If I have a food aversion or an allergy, can the menu be altered for me?  As our menus have been published and are collaborative, we are not able to easily alter recipes, however we will do our best to accommodate.  Please let us know in advance of the class and our cooking instructors will do their best to accommodate.  Overall, we ask participants to self-monitor for aversions or sensitivities and avoid eating the particular dish with that ingredient or to remove it from your own portion, if the dish allows.

Food

Neither the Client nor its guests or invitees will be permitted to bring food of any kind into the Event without the express written permission of Open Kitchen. In the event such permission is granted, a waiver is to be signed by the Client. All guests take full responsibility and liability for consuming food items prepared during class on Open Kitchen premises. At the conclusion of said Event, any food left for Client will be at Kitchen’s discretion. If Client and/or guests decide to save or take home some food, it is SOLELY the discretion of Client and Client hereby accepts all responsibility for illness from improper food storage, handling, and consumption following Event. This includes any and all medical treatment warranted to treat illness(es) as a result of consuming said food following Event.

Food Safety

Client and all guests must follow all food safety guidelines provided by Open Kitchen Culinary Instructor(s) and/or Staff throughout the class. To prevent foodborne illness, participants experiencing or have been exposed to any communicable diseases including cold, flu, etc. should not be handling and/or preparing food and thus, should not attend cooking classes. For more food safety information, please visit FoodSafety.gov.

Use of Cooking Utensils

The use of cooking utensils, including sharp instruments, hot surfaces, and equipment, can make cooking dangerous. Open Kitchen and its owners/agents will not be held responsible for any loss, injury or damage, to participants, or their property, due to any act or omission by the participants themselves, Open Kitchen or its agents. In case of accidental injury, self-service First Aid will be readily available and assisted First Aid will be quickly administered to any participant that verbally requests it.

Children’s Cooking Class Waiver Form

All children (anyone under the age of 18) attending a cooking event must be accompanied by a Parent/Legal Guardian or have a valid Children’s Cooking ClassWaiver Form that can we provided by Open Kitchen to be completed by a Parent/Legal Guardian.

Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Open Kitchen is not responsible for any food allergies or dietary restrictions unless specifically noted in writing in the final menu signed by both parties.

Dress Code

The safety of our guests is important to us. Our approach to hands-on cooking classes, as well as some demonstration-style classes, will have you slicing, dicing, and sautéing your way through all of our recipes. Therefore, unless otherwise pre-approved, pants must be worn (no shorts, skirts, etc.), shirts must have sleeves (short or long – no tank tops), no high-heels are permitted, and closed-toed shoes ONLY are permitted (no sandals, flip flops, etc.). If guests arrive improperly dressed for class, they will not be permitted to take the class, and will not be eligible for a refund.