Top Illinois Cooking Classes

Outside of Italy, few places in the world are as famous for their pizza as Chicago. Eat like a local as you travel off the beaten path to savor the city's best pizza, traveling by bus so you can cover more food hot spots in less time. Discover the science behind ingredient selection and baking as you sample slices from historic pizzerias, and take away plenty of tips to enhance your eating in Chicago.

Step into a welcoming kitchen in Chicago for an immersive Italian cooking class hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to 8 guests, this interactive workshop introduces you to authentic techniques behind pasta-making and classic Italian dishes. The menu you will prepare includes: - Starter: Caesar salad with homemade dressing and Parmesan - Side: Italian garlic bread brushed with olive oil and herbs - Main course: Fresh fettuccine pasta with savory Bolognese sauce - Dessert: Vanilla bean panna cotta with seasonal fruit compote With step-by-step guidance from your local pasta chef, you’ll enjoy a hands-on approach to mastering Italian cooking. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to complement the meal and celebrate the flavors of Italy.

Forget complicated pasta projects — this is your excuse to make ridiculously cozy gnocchi from scratch. At a relaxed Chicago wine bar, you’ll mix ricotta, flour and egg into a tender dough, then roll and cut it before shaping each piece by hand. You’ll pick up practical techniques for working with soft dough without overthinking every little move. Once your gnocchi is ready, you’ll cook it and make a rich sage butter sauce with Parmesan, fresh herbs and seasonal garnishes. You’ll learn how to combine the ingredients into a balanced, savory finish, then sit down to enjoy your freshly prepared meal. The atmosphere stays casual and social, making it easy to chat, laugh and enjoy the process. Your potatoes can take the night off — ricotta is handling gnocchi duty.

Enjoy a unique sushi-making experience at a local distillery in Chicago with Chef Janet! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to craft fresh, restaurant-quality sushi while sipping on expertly distilled spirits available for purchase. Start by steaming and seasoning the perfect sushi rice, then prep fresh ingredients for two signature rolls. You’ll assemble a vibrant veggie roll with sweet mango, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber, followed by a classic California roll featuring surimi, avocado, and cucumber. With Chef Janet’s expert guidance, you’ll master the techniques of rolling sushi and slicing it into picture-perfect pieces. Whether you're looking for a fun night out, a unique date idea, or a new culinary skill to impress friends and family, this class offers the perfect blend of great food, hands-on learning, and a relaxed distillery setting. Book your spot today for a sushi and spirits experience like no other in Chicago!

Put on your apron and get ready to turn simple ingredients into seriously satisfying pasta. You’ll begin by preparing fresh pasta dough from scratch, then learn the hands-on techniques for kneading, rolling and shaping it into pasta. Next comes the good stuff: a creamy pumpkin-sage sauce made with pumpkin purée, cream, Parmesan, sage, butter, garlic, nutmeg and black pepper. You’ll learn how to build the sauce, season it and bring it together with your freshly made pasta for a warm, comforting final dish. No fancy pasta skills are required, just a willingness to get your hands a little floury. It’s relaxed, social and deliciously practical, with plenty of satisfaction when you finally sit down to enjoy what you made.

Discover the fundamentals of sushi-making in Chicago during this immersive class hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to 8 guests, the workshop showcases the precision and artistry of Japanese cuisine. The menu you will prepare includes: - Sushi: Spicy ahi-tuna roll with avocado, cucumber and aioli - Sushi: Shrimp tempura roll with jalapeño, cucumber and miso aioli - Dessert: Tropical fruit with tōgarashi and honey With step-by-step guidance from your local sushi chef, you’ll gain confidence in rolling techniques and flavor pairing. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to complement the meal, making the evening both educational and enjoyable.

Get to know the “must eats” in Chicago's buzzing Loop District on this small-group or private walking tour. As you explore, listen to in-depth commentary from your guide about the culinary history of Chicago, and get a taste of the city's most iconic foods, from hot dogs to deep-dish pizza. You'll enjoy personalized attention and the chance to chat about your favorite tastings, all while admiring Chicago landmarks along the way.