Inspiring people to connect through food

Tell us how you feel

Your feedback is needed to help us improve our classes, the way we teach, customer service and how we run operations.

If you enjoyed your experience at Cookology and think the community should know more about us, please feel free to share your experience online on Facebook, GoogleTrip Advisor, or Yelp  If you’d prefer to share your experience with us personally, please feel free to email the owner, Maria.

Our Terms

• Class cancellations must be received via phone or e-mail at least 48 hours in advance in order to be issued a class credit. No credit or refund will be given for cancellations within 48 hours of class for any reason.
• All class credits must be used within 30 days of issuance.
• Closed toed shoes required for all classes!

Terms & Conditions

Meet Our Founder

Maria Kopsidas

Owner, Cookology & MCAI

Maria Kopsidas serves as the visionary founder and proprietor of both Cookology Recreational Culinary School and the Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute (MCAI). Drawing inspiration from her Mediterranean upbringing within a family of philanthropists, cooks, cookbook authors, professional sports trainers, and even a pastry chef from the White House, Maria’s goal was to create a highly accessible and affordable cooking school.

With a robust background in steering marketing and communications initiatives for renowned entities, Maria boasts a twenty-year track record working with Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, restaurants, and charitable organizations. Notable roles include serving as the publicist for India and Australia at Warner Brothers’ Discovery Channel International; managing online communications for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (now Consumer Brands Association), and acting as the director of marketing and communications for an IT firm Aaxis Technologies (now Huron Consulting). Maria holds multiple degrees and professional certificates, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and professional development.

Maria’s entrepreneurial journey took off with the successful launch of the inaugural Cookology at Dulles Town Center in February 2009 (closing its doors in October 2022). She unveiled the second Cookology at Ballston Quarter Arlington, VA, in 2019. This impressive 6,000 square foot facility now houses both Cookology and the Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute.

The Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute, a post-secondary culinary arts program, holds certifications from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and has American Culinary Federation APPROVED status (ACF-Approved). In her commitment to supporting students, Maria established a 501(c)3 organization, allowing for the collection of donations to assist MCAI students in offsetting tuition costs.

For inquiries or to connect with Maria, feel free to email her!Cookology Culinary School
Ballston Quarter, Arlington, VA
(703) 433-1909
Cookology Website
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Video: Team Building for 90
Video: Building Ballston Quarter

Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute
Professional Culinary Arts Certification
Location: Ballston Quarter, Arlington, VA
Chef Dacy’s MCAI Journey VIDEO (10 mins)
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Our Team

What our students have to say

Cookology in the Community


Cookology is a proud participant of the Northern Virginia community at large. We provide donations, meals, and event support to a multitude of causes. Below is a list of just a handful of the schools and organizations Cookology has supported in the previous months.

      • Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic
      • Arlington Traditional School
      • Fauquier Alternative School
      • PRS
      • Loudoun Free Clinic
      • Rolling Ridge Elementary
      • Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool
      • Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School
      • The Primary Day School
      • March of Dimes
      • Dominion Trail Elementary
      • Algonkian Elementary School
      • Sunset Hills Montessori
      • St. Theresa School
      • Evergreen Mill Elementary
      • Sully Elementary
      • United Way (on behalf for Unysis)
      • Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School
      • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
      • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Fairfax Region
      • The 25th Project
      • Claude Moore Preschool
      • Capitol Area Food Bank
      • Gravely Elementary
      • Union Mill Elementary
      • Laurel Hill Elementary
      • Reston Children’s Center
      • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
      • St. David’s Episcopal Preschool
      • Greenbriar West Elementary
      • Forest Edge Elementary
      • IFDA-DC
      • Mautner Project (National Lesbian Health)
      • Greek Orthodox Parish of Loudoun County
      • YMCA of Loudoun County
      • Long Branch Elementary
      • Algonkian Elementary
      • The 25th Project
      • Food on the Stove