Dave Katz, also known as Depot Dave, plans to soon offer cooking classes in the shop on the corner of Fifth and Lincoln avenues that previously housed Sweet Lincoln. The move marks his return to downtown after a 12-year absence.

Katz said the opening date of the new operation is still to be determined.

From 2000 to 2013, Katz owned Depot Market in downtown Pelham.

“I missed being out in the public eye,” said Katz. “I loved having a storefront on Fifth Avenue.” He said when Sweet Lincoln co-owner Clay Bushong “gave me the opportunity to open up a store, I said yes.”

Katz will continue running his existing catering business while also offering the cooking classes. Each class will have a specialized menu with dietary-friendly options and a theme. There will be multiple stations for each person or group with each set up with cooking equipment (see slideshow).

“My catering menu is completely different than this,” said Katz. “Every class specializes in a skill with menus used to teach people how to cook the food.” According to Katz, various workshops will be offered, from family bonding to couples’ wine tasting. The space will also be available for events.

“We’ve painted the walls, we’ve fixed the flooring, we’ve been busy,” said Katz. “It’s a lot of work getting the storefront ready, but this will be a lot of fun. It’s exciting to open something that Pelham doesn’t have. Being on Fifth with your name in the window, up with lights, is prime.”

Katz grew up in Chester and got a job as a dishwasher when he was 11 years old. By the time he was 16, he ran the back of a pizzeria. Following a gap year after high school, Katz worked for a catering company at a country club in Woodbury. He attended Johnson & Wales University for culinary studies and made his way to Pelham to pursue work full time.