Cooking Class: Vietnamese Bánh Mì — Crispy Pork Belly & More with Chef Jean

There is a reason bánh mì stops people mid-bite. It is the contrast — the shatteringly crisp against the tender, the tangy against the rich, the fresh herbs against the savory meat. Every element has a job, and when they come together, it is one of the most satisfying things you can eat.

Chef Jean shows you how every single one of those elements is made from scratch.

This is a hands-on class from start to finish. You cook, you taste, you assemble, and you eat. Chef Jean walks you through each component with the precision of his classical training and the warmth of someone who genuinely loves this food.

What you will make:

Crispy-skin pork belly — the centerpiece. A fool-proof method for achieving skin that shatters on contact and meat that melts underneath it. Once you know this technique you will find reasons to make it far beyond bánh mì — rice bowls, noodle dishes, steamed bao.

Slow-cooked lemongrass chicken — shredded, fragrant, and built on hours of spice absorption. The lighter counterpart that makes the sandwich balanced rather than heavy.

Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrots — sweet, tangy, crisp. The element that cuts through the richness of the meats and makes the whole sandwich sing.

Bánh Mì sauce — a bold butter aioli with a soy foundation that ties every layer together.

The grand finale: you assemble your own sandwich, layered your way, and eat it right there at the table.

No experience needed. If you can follow Chef Jean's lead — and everyone can — you will leave knowing how to make one of the world's great sandwiches from the ground up.

Bring your wine. Bring someone worth cooking for.

Reserve your seat. This one fills fast.

If you are redeeming a gift certificate, please call or text us at 732-497-2698 to reserve your place. You can also email us at [email protected]

Discover the Joy of Cooking with Maricel's Classes – Fun, Easy, and Interactive!

Duration & Format: Dive into 2.5 hours of engaging, hands-on cooking. Perfect for any experience level, from beginners to seasoned chefs.

Interactive Learning: Experience the excitement of learning and applying new flavors and techniques. Our classes are fully interactive, ensuring you're both learning and doing.

Enjoy Your Creations: After cooking, take a seat and relish the meals you've crafted. It's a rewarding opportunity to taste your own creations.

Take-Home Delights: Not only will you enjoy your meal in class, but there'll also be plenty of food to take home and enjoy later.

Refreshments Included: Soft drinks are on us! Feel free to BYOB if you like..

Dietary Accommodations: Have specific dietary needs? Let us know in advance. We're here to make sure your cooking experience meets your personal requirements.

Join us at Maricel's Classes for an easy, enjoyable cooking journey. Cooking is made simple and delightful for everyone!

Maricel's Kitchen is New Jersey's premier culinary experience destination and can cater to all your culinary needs and is a unique culinary venue in New Jersey.

Elevate Your Special Occasions: Planning a wedding, corporate team building, intamate affair, group outing, or a special celebration? Let Maricel’s Kitchen elevate your event, promising an unforgettable culinary experience.
Our Chef's Table events offers an intimate and exclusive culinary experience; click here to check the upcoming schedule.
Our diverse cooking classes include Filipino, Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Vegetarian, Keto, Gluten Free, Baking, and more. Click here for schedule.

Culinary Innovation and Tradition: Maricel's passion for cooking shines through every dish served and taught. Her expertise ensures that each meal is not just prepared, but is crafted with the utmost care, celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures and tastes.

Book Your Event Today: Contact Maricel’s Kitchen at (732) 497-2698 to discuss how we can make your next event spectacular with our top-tier culinary offerings.

Let Maricel's Kitchen be the heart and soul of your next event, where tradition meets culinary innovation—right here in New Jersey.

Gift the joy of culinary exploration with Maricel’s Kitchen gift cards! Perfect for any occasion, these cards can be used across our services:

• Cooking Classes: Hands-on lessons in diverse cuisines.
• Chef's Table Events: Exclusive dining experiences.
• Catering Services: Customizable menus for any event.
• Maricel's Retail: Unique culinary products.

We offer both physical gift cards available for purchase in-store and digital gift cards that can be bought online by following this link.
Redeem Your Gift Card: To use your gift card for cooking classes or any of our services, please call us at (732) 497-2698 or email [email protected] to manually reserve your spot.

Discover a unique and enjoyable way to celebrate or collaborate with Maricel’s Kitchen private cooking classes. Whether it’s for corporate team building, board meetings, sales meetings, bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, or any special gathering, our private classes provide a memorable and interactive experience.

• Event Types: Ideal for corporate events, celebrations, or just a fun gathering.
• Group Size: Accommodating groups from 10 to 30 participants.
• Customizable Menus: Tailor-made menus to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Private cooking classes at Maricel’s Kitchen are the perfect blend of fun and creativity for any occasion! Call us at (732) 497-2698 or email [email protected] to discuss your event.

Bring the Flavors of Asia into Your Kitchen

You want to cook Asian dishes at home—authentic, delicious, and doable. But most recipes online feel too complicated, or worse, inauthentic.

That’s why Chef Maricel Gentile created Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook—to be your guide.

In this beautifully photographed, easy-to-follow cookbook, Maricel brings you everyday recipes from Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean cuisines. Inspired by her journey from her Lola’s kitchen in Manila to running her own award-winning kitchen in New Jersey, every recipe is packed with heart, heritage, and flavor.

✅ Step-by-step recipes with accessible ingredients
✅ Tips from Maricel’s professional experience and family traditions
✅ Cook with confidence and bring joy to your table
📖 Ready to start your journey?
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Let’s cook something beautiful together.

Chef Jean has always believed that good food brings people together. From learning to roll lumpia (Filipino egg rolls) with her mother—balanced on a stool at the kitchen table—to cooking fine-dining banquets for hundreds of guests, her passion has consistently centered on creating meaningful moments around a shared meal.
With over 15 years of experience in professional kitchens, she specializes in making cooking approachable, confidence-building, and fun. Chef Jean creates hands-on classes where students feel comfortable learning new skills, asking questions, and enjoying the process just as much as the meal.
Outside the kitchen, Chef Jean is usually with her two rescue dogs, Chef and Rigatoni. She enjoys reading a good book, playing video games, tending to her garden and house plants, or firing up the smoker while the pups supervise and dig holes nearby.

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