Top Illinois Cooking Classes

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.

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.

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class and meal in a local Naperville home with your host Nancy. Nancy is one of those warm and wonderful people who make you feel at home as soon as you meet her! This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class takes place in Nancy's open kitchen and lasts about 1.5 hours. Choose between Chicago-style deep dish pizza or fresh, handmade pasta for your main. Learn the tips and techniques of Italian American cooking before enjoying the meal you helped prepare with your warm and hospitable host. Come prepared for a morning or evening of food, laughter and, hopefully, new friendship.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Explore Chicago's buzzing food scene—and see some of its best-known landmarks on the way—on this two-in-one walking tour. The small group size offers are more intimate experience as you stroll around the vibrant Loop area, spotting highlights from the Willis Tower to the Rookery building. Indulge in a variety of famous Chicago foods, from deep-dish pizza to the world-famous dipped Italian beef sandwiches.

Immerse yourself in one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods—and head off the tourist trail to discover sights and bites many visitors miss—on this small-group Chinatown food and walking tour. With your guide in the lead, learn about the cuisine of different regions of China, and discover the history of Chicago's Chinatown. Along the way, enjoy a generous array of tastings, from dim sum to Sichuan cuisine and beyond.

Eat your way through downtown Chicago on a walking food tour. Visit Millennium Park, the Palmer House Hotel, and other city landmarks and taste quintessential Chicago foods such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and chocolate brownies. All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. A bike or kayak rental is also included in the tour cost.

Kick back and enjoy a great meal while taking in the sights of Chicago's most famed landmarks on this scenic lunch cruise along Lake Michigan. See and photograph the dramatic city skyline, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and Shedd Aquarium. The cruise includes a delicious buffet lunch with salads, entrees, desserts, and unlimited nonalcoholic beverages. There's also a DJ, games, and a dance floor to keep your group entertained.

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.

Experience Chicago like a true insider on this top-rated walking tour that blends the city’s most iconic food, awe-inspiring architecture, and rich history — all in one unforgettable day. From deep-dish pizza to legendary skyscrapers, you’ll taste, see, and learn what makes the Windy City a world-class destination. Led by expert local guides and limited to just 12 guests, this immersive, small-group tour is the perfect way to discover the real Chicago — not just the tourist spots.

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.

Sample some of the Windy City's tastiest donuts—and head to locals-loved dessert destinations that most visitors miss—on this one-of-a-kind walking tour. With your guide in the lead, head to a number of Chicago’s tastiest donut bakeries, all while exploring the city's vibrant downtown Loop neighborhood. All tastings are included in the tour cost, and vegan, gluten-, and nut-free options are also available upon request.

Chicago dogs, deep-dish pizza, brownies, and craft beer are all sampled on this half-day bike tour through the Windy City. Cover about 13 miles (21 km), following your guide at a moderate pace through Chicago neighborhoods. On the day tour, ride through Wrigleyville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast. On the night tour, visit Chicago’s Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Lakefront Trail. As you go, stop for generous food and beer tasters.

Discover some of the Windy City’s spookiest ghost stories—and step back in time to the era of gangsters, bootleggers, jazz performers, and more—on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, and set off after dark. You’ll visit supposedly haunted former burial grounds, pubs, theaters, and more—and will hear about macabre legends and unexplained happenings as you go.

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.