Date Night Cooking Classes at Bear Butte Gardens
Seeking a date night that truly stands out? Immerse yourselves in a culinary journey with our private Date Night Cooking Classes, led by Sturgis chef Travis Bartels. Together, you'll craft a multi-course meal using fresh, seasonal ingredients harvested right here on our organic farm — and gain kitchen skills and inspiration to enjoy long after the evening ends.
What's Included in Your Date Night
Your evening begins with a welcome appetizer while Chef Travis guides you through a hands-on entrée cooking lesson. Whether you're an experienced home cook or someone who's more comfortable at the table than the stove, you'll feel right at home — this is your evening, and you're encouraged to jump in as much or as little as you like. Chef Travis is there to guide, not to grade. By the end of the lesson, you'll sit down together to enjoy a candlelit dinner — complete with a fresh salad and dessert.
How to Make a Reservation
Date Night Cooking Classes are private, reservation-only events, scheduled based on Chef Travis's availability. We recommend reaching out early, especially if you have a specific date in mind — weekends and holidays book quickly.
To reserve your evening, call or text us at 605-490-2919, or send us an email at Michelle@BearButteGardens.com.
We'll find a date that works and get you on the calendar.
Pricing & Packages
Date Night Dinner — $125 plus tax (per couple)
Your private entrée cooking lesson with Chef Travis, followed by a full candlelit dinner with appetizer, salad, and dessert. Nonalcoholic beverage and water included. Wine or beer available for an additional charge.
Date Night Dinner + Overnight Stay — $200 plus tax (per couple)
Make it a full getaway. This package includes everything in the Date Night Dinner, plus one night in our vacation rental cottage — connected to our farm stand building and surrounded by the peaceful beauty of our 80-acre organic farm. Wake up to the sights and sounds of the Black Hills and start your morning refreshed.
What to Expect on the Evening
Your Date Night Cooking Class takes place in our on-farm commercial kitchen, located in our farm stand building just outside of Sturgis near Bear Butte in the northern Black Hills. Plan for roughly two to three hours from arrival to the end of dinner. Dress comfortably — you'll be cooking! We provide aprons, all ingredients, and everything you need for the evening.
Fresh From the Farm — Seasonal Menu Inspirations
At Bear Butte Gardens, we believe the best meals begin with the best ingredients — and the best ingredients are the ones harvested at the peak of their season, just steps from your kitchen. Your entrée options change throughout the year to reflect what's growing on our organic farm at the time of your visit.
Your entrée options will be shared with you when you make your reservation, based on what's freshest from the farm at the time of your visit. Chef Travis works closely with our farm calendar to design each class around the best ingredients available that week. If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, please let us know when you book and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Meet Your Chef — Travis Bartels
Chef Travis Bartels is a Sturgis-based chef and a passionate advocate for locally sourced, seasonal food. As the chef and manager of BrewBerry Bistro in downtown Sturgis, Travis has built a reputation for creative, ingredient-driven cooking that celebrates the flavors of the northern Black Hills. Each week at the Bistro, he crafts a rotating special menu built around locally sourced ingredients — a philosophy that carries directly into everything he does at Bear Butte Gardens.
Travis has been a regular collaborator with Bear Butte Gardens for several years, leading cooking classes, serving as chef for Farm-to-Table Dinners, and contributing his talents to special farm events.
Beyond the kitchen, Travis is an active voice in the Sturgis community — serving on the Board of Directors of the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and co-founding the Sturgis Gathering Market alongside Bear Butte Gardens, a weekly farmers market celebrating local growers, makers, and food producers.
When you join Chef Travis for a Date Night Cooking Class, you're not just learning a recipe — you're learning from someone who lives and breathes local food, farm-to-table cooking, and the joy of sharing a good meal.
"It is just great being able to do these farm-to-table dinners and being able to get healthy, good, unprocessed food into people's mouths. It's just a great feeling."
— Chef Travis Bartels, as quoted by KOTA Territory TV
A Perfect Gift for Any Occasion
Looking for a unique and memorable gift? A Date Night Cooking Class at Bear Butte Gardens makes a wonderful present for anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, or any special occasion. Contact us to arrange a gift certificate for the couple in your life.
Book Your Date Night
Book your private session and prepare for an evening of laughter, learning, and culinary creativity — right here on our organic farm in the northern Black Hills, just outside of Sturgis, South Dakota.
Other Events
From farm tours and gardening classes to Farm-to-Table Dinners and seasonal festivals, there's always something happening at Bear Butte Gardens. See all of our upcoming events!