Top Illinois Food & Drink Classes

Step into Chicago’s coolest hidden bars on a mid-century cocktail adventure! Join a local guide to discover vintage lounges, secret speakeasies, and retro bars most tourists miss. Savor expertly crafted cocktails (own expense), hear untold stories of the city’s nightlife boom, and soak in stylish decor straight from the 1950s and 60s. This small-group tour is perfect for cocktail lovers, architecture buffs, and anyone seeking an off-the-beaten-path night out in the Windy City.

While there are lots of spots across the city where you can try some Chicago deep dish pizza, not many culinary experiences teach you how to make authentic pizzas for yourself before tucking in and enjoying your creations. In this private cooking class, head to a working kitchen where instruction is available in English and Spanish, and get equipped with everything you need to create your perfect pizza.

Tapas, paella and flan – this hands-on Spanish cooking class in Chicago, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs, takes you through three pillars of coastal Spanish cuisine in one vibrant, skill-building experience. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Gambas al Ajillo with shrimp, garlic, lemon, chile flakes and sourdough - Seafood Paella with mussels, shrimp, saffron, bomba rice and chistorra - Mango Flan with eggs, milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk and mango purée You will leave with the skills to make authentic Spanish paella and tapas at home. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

I am the only person in the US, and possibly the world, that offers this experience. It is both a demonstration and an interactive opportunity where you'll have tons of fun learning about the history of cheese magic and getting to try it yourself. And then you get to eat your fortune!

Discover authentic Italian cooking in Chicago during this pasta-making class hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to just 8 guests, this immersive workshop showcases the art of crafting fresh pasta dough and creating a full three-course menu. The menu you will prepare includes: - Starter: Bruschetta with ripe tomatoes and basil on crisp bread - Main course: Handcrafted gnocchi with tomato-basil sauce - Dessert: Classic tiramisù with mascarpone and espresso-soaked ladyfingers With personalized instruction from your pasta chef, this small-group class combines hands-on practice with flavorful dining. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy with their freshly made meal.

Transform your gatherings into memorable culinary celebrations with Chicago Mama’s Kitchen. Specializing in Puerto Rican cuisine, we offer immersive mixology and cooking workshops tailored to any occasion, from intimate dinners to corporate events. Delight in crafting hand-made empanadas and refreshing cocktails with expert guidance, ensuring a fun and flavorful experience for all. Perfect for birthdays, team-building, or just a fun night in, your workshops can accommodate groups of up to 50. Bring the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to your home or office and savor an unforgettable culinary journey. At Chicago Mama’s Kitchen, guests dive into hands-on culinary and mixology experiences that celebrate Latin flavors with a Chicago twist. Led by Chef Inez Melendez, each class blends culture, creativity, and community—teaching authentic recipes, craft cocktails, and heartfelt hospitality in a warm, communal kitchen setting.

Fresh, vibrant and built on ingredients you can find anywhere – this Mediterranean cooking class in Chicago, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs, teaches three crowd-pleasing dishes that bring the coast straight to your kitchen. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Hummus with chickpeas, lemon, cumin and olive oil - Greek Chicken With Lemon and Feta with chicken breast, Feta, thyme, lemon and white wine - Balsamic Berries With Greek Yogurt with Greek yogurt, honey, balsamic vinegar and mixed berries You will leave ready to recreate a full Mediterranean spread at home – from hummus to dessert. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

Enjoy a unique creative outlet—and learn the ins and outs of graffiti and street art—during this hands-on urban art workshop. Learn different styles and techniques from your instructors (including guest artists), try out stenciling and spray-painting, and create your own work of art on canvas to bring home at the end of class.

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!

Learn the secrets of making one of Mexico’s most celebrated dishes during this beginner-friendly, local-hosted cooking class. Meet your Michelin-trained chef guide at her home, enjoy a refreshing hibiscus agua fresca upon arrival, and roll up your sleeves. Your guide will break down the steps to make an authentic mole sauce, and share tips as you go. Finally, sit down to enjoy your tasty and traditional meal.

Chef Janet, a seasoned head chef, personal chef and culinary instructor, has served and educated countless food enthusiasts throughout her career. Let Chef Janet's expertise and charisma guide you in mastering the art of dumpling-making. This class takes place at a beautiful local venue known for its warm atmosphere and excellent craft beers. In this session, you'll start by preparing meat dumplings (vegetarian option available) using ingredients like carrots, cabbage, scallions, garlic, ginger and soy. You'll then create a tasty dipping sauce with soy and citrus. The class concludes with steaming or pan-frying your dumplings and enjoying your flavorful creations. What to Expect: - Step-by-step guidance from a talented chef who makes it make sense. - A fun, beginner-friendly class where no one judges your knife skills. - Tasting, laughing and leveling up your kitchen game. - Ideal for: a solo outing, date night, girls’ night or group fun.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Mexico with a hands-on cooking class at Su Casa Mexican Restaurant. Guided by experienced chefs, participants will learn the art of crafting authentic tamales and tacos from scratch. This class is tailored for all skill levels, making it an ideal setting for food enthusiasts eager to enhance their culinary repertoire. As you knead, roll, and fill your creations, anticipate the rewarding moment of tasting your delicious handiwork, complemented by chips, salsa, and a refreshing drink.

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.

Save time and energy with an at-home cooking class, and perfect the techniques to create a Chicago classic—deep dish pizza. From the comfort of your own kitchen, enjoy one-to-one tuition from a private, online teacher (and Chicago native). With a recipe and ingredient list emailed to you ahead of your chosen start time, crafting your own delicious pizza couldn't be easier.

Experience the perfect pairing of fresh pasta and craft spirits in this hands-on cooking class with a talented chef, hosted at a local distillery in Chicago! Learn the time-honored techniques of pasta-making as you mix, knead, roll, and cut your own pasta from scratch using just eggs, flour, and olive oil. Then, prepare a rich marinara sauce with onions, garlic and tomatoes, with the option to add beef for a meaty variation. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the distillery, where you can sip on expertly crafted spirits while perfecting your culinary skills. Whether you’re a pasta lover, a food enthusiast, or just looking for a fun and interactive night out, this class is the perfect way to learn, sip, and savor. Book your spot today for an unforgettable pasta-making experience in the heart of Chicago!

Feel like a local when you attend a private cooking class in your host’s home—and learn how to make a multi-course menu of Indian-Mexican dishes—with this one-of-a-kind outing. Pick between lunch and dinner options, head to your host’s Chicago residence, and roll up your sleeves. You’ll learn to cook a range of creative fusion dishes, including tandoori paneer quesadillas—and will then enjoy your home-cooked food together.

In the heart of Chicago, near Wrigley Field, a culinary adventure awaits. Led by Rakhi, a professionally trained chef and Le Cordon Bleu graduate with experience working with Bobby Flay, this private cooking class immerses you in the rich flavors of Italian-American cuisine. Over 2.5 hours, you'll learn to prepare iconic dishes such as Chicken Vesuvio, hot fried chicken, and homemade desserts, all while enjoying a relaxed and interactive atmosphere. With the chance to tailor your menu, every class becomes a unique experience that celebrates Chicago's vibrant food culture. Gather your friends or family for a memorable evening of cooking and dining together.

This beginner-friendly chocolate class turns a classic confection into an approachable, rewarding skill. Led by Chef Janet, the experience focuses on teaching essential techniques while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun. You’ll learn how to temper chocolate correctly, experiment with popular fillings and use molds to create beautifully shaped treats. Chef Janet breaks everything down step by step, making the process easy to follow even if you’ve never worked with chocolate before. With plenty of tasting, hands-on practice and a supportive environment, this Chicago class is ideal for dessert lovers, curious home cooks or anyone looking for a creative night out that ends on a sweet note.

Get to grips with Italian pasta in this Florentine-inspired hands-on class in Chicago, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs. Carpaccio, hand-filled ravioli, a fresh vodka sauce and citrus cookies – four courses, four distinct techniques, one deeply satisfying Italian meal. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Marinated Vegetable Carpaccio – assorted vegetables, homemade herb dressing and fresh herbs - Beef Ravioli – flour, eggs and seasoned beef - Vodka Sauce – olive oil, tomatoes and vodka - Italian Lemon Drop Cookies – flour, butter and eggs You will leave with real pasta-making skills and a fresh perspective on Italian cuisine, from antipasto to dessert. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

Begin by crafting creamy guacamole and a vibrant, zesty salsa that will elevate your taco game. Next, master the skill of making masa and pressing your own corn tortillas to create the perfect foundation for your tacos. Then, cook up a perfectly seasoned taco filling and assemble each taco with a medley of fresh toppings to achieve the ideal harmony of crunch, color, and flavor. Throughout the session, you'll hone your skills in tortilla-making, knife work, seasoning, and assembly techniques that will make recreating taco night at home surprisingly effortless. The atmosphere remains light and convivial, and the conversation flows naturally as you savor each bite and discover why homemade tacos are truly worth the extra few minutes of effort.

Forget complicated pasta projects — this is your excuse to make ridiculously cozy gnocchi from scratch. At a relaxed Chicago whiskey distillery, 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.

Join our exclusive cooking workshop series in collaboration with celebrity chef Tony Hu. In the first session, you'll learn to prepare two of his signature dishes—Chef’s Special Dry Chili Chicken and Crispy Lemon Shrimp. Featured on numerous TV shows and interviews, including NBC, ABC, FOX, and WGN, Chef Tony Hu is the founder of the iconic Lao Sze Chuan Restaurants with 14 locations across the country. This hands-on cooking workshop is more than just a culinary lesson—it’s a cultural experience. We invite you to connect with Chinese heritage in a warm, interactive setting where every dish tells a story, and every bite is a celebration of tradition. A minimum of 4 participants is required for this experience. If the minimum is not met, the tour may be canceled, and you will receive a full refund.

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.