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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.