Hone your skills with the Bay Area's celebrity butcher, David Budworth, in three hands-on classes starting Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Fresh Starts Cooking School in Novato.

Known as Dave the Butcher to customers at Avedano's and Marina Meats in San Francisco, the instructor will teach guests to master the process of deboning chicken, filleting fish and trimming rack of lamb in this three-part series.

The classes set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, March 7 and March 21 include a demonstration with Homeward Bound's own Chef Rocky Packard and a communal meal to suggest ways of putting new skills to use. Each class has a different focus:

• Feb. 22 - Learn the art of boning chicken and the many ways to portion chicken for your table, as well as a demonstration on the techniques of braising poultry.
• March 7 - Prepare fish large or small for your plate, plus learn to make fish en papillote, or wrapped in parchment with assorted herbs and vegetables.
• March 21 - Get ready to trim, butterfly, and "French" a spring rack of lamb, then learn about using spice rubs to add layers of flavor.

Tickets cost $39 per class, including dinner, and wine will be available for purchase. For more information or registration, please visit www.hbofm.org or call 415-382-3363 x243.

There is a $20 materials fee per student to cover the cost of a professional boning knife to take home. Book all three knife skills classes with Dave the Butcher and your knife is free!