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The Real Food Academy Miami buttercream recipe.
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Buttercream

By Chef Maria Cummins

Course
dessert
Cuisine
international
Servings
Makes 1 ½ Cups

Ingredients

  • ½ cup cold butter (kerrygold salted butter recommended)
  • ½ cup and 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup arrowroot powder (optional)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. If using a standing mixer, fit the standing mixer with the flat beater and mixing bowl.
  2. Add the butter, honey, vanilla and arrowroot powder and salt to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until the butter starts to soften. Gradually increase the speed and whip on high until creamed and it begins to have a lighter white color, about 1-2 minutes. Keep mixing for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Refrigerate after use.

Chef Maria Cummins

Born in Venezuela, Maria Cummins discovered her deep-rooted passion for food from an early age. Her culinary journey led her to Lima, Peru, where she immersed herself in the rich secrets of Peruvian gastronomy during part of her childhood. In her early twenties, she embarked on a new chapter by coming to the United States and delving into the Hospitality Industry in Boston, Massachusetts.

Maria's culinary adventure continued as she relocated to San Diego, California, where she made her mark by opening the renowned El Tucan Restaurant. Her extensive travels and diverse experiences greatly influenced her innovative culinary style, shaping the unique approach she is celebrated for today.

During her time in San Diego, Chef Maria not only honed her culinary skills but also gained a profound understanding of the importance of nutrition, particularly through the use of organic and unprocessed ingredients.

Today, Maria Cummins is the proud owner, founder, and head chef of the Real Food Academy, a culinary haven nestled in the vibrant city of Miami. Here, both kids and adults come together every week to share the joy of connecting through the power of Real Food and Real Fun!

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Rave Reviews for The Real Food Academy

proud to have a 5.0 star rating & 1000+ reviews

  • Michelle Lynn

    Excellent instruction, great staff delicious food. We has SO MUCH FUN!! Thank you!
  • Aaron Pierre

    Chef Toni and her crew were amazing. We were a large group and they handled us well and allowed us to have a seamless experience. I look forward to doing this again in the future
  • Alex Ponce

    A most wonderful team building activity!! It was a fun experience making my own pizza and pasta 🍝
  • Dayron Hernandez

    Wow, what an amazing experience food was excellent!
  • Hunter Badillo

    Chef Toni was great! Great cooking experience , I highly recommend. We made fresh pizza , pasta , and salad. Great time
  • Maria Bulla

    Chef Tony was awesome! Great class
  • William Bodden

    Attended pasta night w Chef Paolo and we loved it ! Had a great time , learned new recipes that are delicious and healthy.
  • Grethel Bodden

    Amazing experience with Paolo! Not only was it delicious and fun but also health conscious when it came to the ingredients. Look forward to coming back for more classes.
  • Nicki Obeidzinski

    Such a fun group event!
  • Zuzana Tuso

    Nice for team building. Chef Toni was great!
  • Jorge Porto

    Amazing experience!
  • Iris Brautigam

    Amazing experience! We celebrated our daughter’s 10th birthday with a small group of friends and family. I felt ease and comfort knowing I didn’t have to do much and they handled everything from the moment we arrived. The kids, and even the parents, had a blast! Everyone loved this idea and how interactive it was for the kids. I’m so happy we chose Real Food Academy! 10/10
  • Nicolas Jubera

    Amazing sushi class — truly exceeded expectations. I learned so much, from knife skills to proper rice preparation and rolling techniques. Super hands-on, fun, and incredibly well organized. Huge thanks to Chef Toni, who was absolutely amazing — patient, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience both educational and entertaining. Highly recommend to anyone who loves sushi and wants to really understand the craft behind it. 🍣👏
  • Marina Goitia

    I loved the experience. I highly recommend it.
  • Maya DeBride

    The instructor was absolutely amazing and so kind! The instructions were easy to follow and we made delicious food! An amazing team bonding experience! Thank you for everything :) it was perfect
  • Jackson Leininger

    Fantastic’ Highly recommend!
  • Erica Ramirez-Flete

    Chef Toni was a true gem and our team absolutely enjoyed our team building together!
  • Bill Benjamin

    Great experience and lots of fun! Chef Toni is the bomb!
  • Andre op't Hof

    Had a great time and loved the instruction from Chef Toni. I can cook!…
  • Andres Jimene

    Excellent choice for a wonderful entertaining and educational experience. We chose The Real Food Academy to celebrate our daughter’s 9th birthday this past Sunday. It was a phenomenal experience for both kids and parents. The venue is spotless, the party bites thst we pre-ordered were loved by all, and most importantly, the kids had a great time together. Chef Paulo and Chef Rey really went out of their way to make everyone feel at home, and they made the educational experience both fun & seamless. Thank you, Sebastian, Ivette & Nina

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Real Food FAQs

No. All Payments and Deposits are non-refundable: When a payment or deposit is made, that day and time is no longer available to other customers on our calendar. For that reason, all payments and deposits are non-refundable.

In the case of a cooking class, the ingredients are shopped for and prepped in advance. Staff is also scheduled according to the number of people on the roster.

See our Wine and Beer list for your in-house kids party options. Optionally, you can bring your own wine or beer and page a corkage fee.

Corkage Fees

  • $15 per 750 ml bottle of wine
  • $30 per 1.5 L bottle of wine

Bring outside beer: $40 for beer (any quantity)

We love it when our customers decorate our place. That said, you have no idea how difficult it is to clean these types of things up. As far as noisemakers go......you will be glad you left them at home as well. So please do not bring any of those things.

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Adult cooking classes offered Every Thursday Night

Special Announcements

The Real Food Academy Miami Is Franchising

The Real Food Academy is now offering a fun & family-friendly franchise opportunity. We are expanding and inviting franchisees to join us on our culinary journey! Follow us on Instagram and Learn how you can #inspirelovethroughfood!

Learn More

After-School Class for Kids: How to Become a Real Food Chef

Designed for young chefs ages 7–13, this 10-week after-school course builds essential cooking skills through hands-on lessons and creative recipes. Each class introduces a new culinary concept while students prepare multiple dishes and grow in confidence in the kitchen. Perfect for beginners and intermediate cooks, with all-new recipes for returning students.

Learn More

After-School Class for Teens: How to Become an Amazing Teen Chef

This 10-week culinary program is ideal for teens who love to cook and want to sharpen their skills. Students explore advanced techniques, creative recipes, and real-world kitchen concepts while making multiple dishes each class. Whether beginner or experienced, every teen will gain confidence, creativity, and professional-level insight from our expert instructors.

Learn More