If your activity schedule has you crunched for time and your cooking creativity is lagging, why not try some cooking classes to boost your culinary confidence? Here are nine places to go in Lake County to learn how to up your dinner game. These places will not only have you cooking with gas, or electricity, but with confidence as well, in no time at all.
1. David’s Bistro
883 Main St., Antioch | (847) 603-1196
David’s Bistro aims to teach you to “cook like a chef at home.” With 25 years of cooking experience, Chef David Maish holds classes on week nights where you will learn how to prepare a three-course meal to replicate at home. Each dinner class also includes white and red wine pairings and wine education. Classes are priced at $45 per person, per two-hour session.
2. Elawa Farm
1401 Middlefork Dr., Lake Forest | (847) 234-1966
Renowned chef Gale Gand teaches several classes at Elawa Farm each season. Upcoming Master Cooking Classes include Spring Produce and Country French Luncheon. Cost is $85 per person, per two-hour session. Elawa Farm also offers programs in gardening, flower arranging, yoga and wellness, photography and hosts a summer camp for kids.
3. Grayslake Area Public Library District
Get Grilling with Trader Joe’s
May 16, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
100 Library Lane, Grayslake | (847) 223-5313
Take your everyday and entertaining menus up a notch with recipes, tips and tricks from Trader Joe’s at this FREE informative session. Registration is required by contacting the Adult Reference Desk online, by phone or in person.
4. Lindenhurst Park District
Cooking Classes at the (Lehmann) Mansion
485 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa
May 17, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Fiesta
June 22, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Grilling
Enjoy the ambiance of the historic 1912 Lehmann Mansion as Bauer’s Party Masters Catering teaches you global cuisine and culinary techniques. This spring and summer, choose from Fiesta, a celebration of Mexican food, or Grilling, just in time for summer. Each class is $60 per person, and registration is required.
5. Oh, Olive!
606 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville | (224) 433-6629
This olive oil emporium offers a wide variety of classes throughout the year, ranging from breakfast entrees to adventurous themed meals. Besides a freshly cooked meal, all classes include a wine pairing, a FREE 60 ml bottle of oil or vinegar, and recipe information to take home. Classes are priced from $40 to $95 per person, depending upon the ingredients and complexity of the class.
6. Taste Buds Kitchen
2521 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn | (847) 230-0330
Taste Buds Kitchen opens its doors to Adult BYOB classes on select evenings and weekends. Try your hand at a global cuisine or perfect a culinary technique and soon you’ll have the best handmade pasta or exotic cuisine on the cul-de-sac. Classes are priced at $60 per person for a two-hour session.
7. Sunset Foods
Locations in Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Long Grove and Northbrook.
While not technically a cooking class, Sunset Foods offers FREE Store Nutrition Tours for its customers hosted by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Attendees will receive personalized shopping recommendations and advice on how to address common health concerns through nutrition. Groups or individuals are welcome to make an appointment for a store tour.
Worth the Trip:
8. Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe | (847) 835-5440
Learn a new technique from one of Chef Mary Kay Gill’s courses in the Regenstein Learning Center’s professional kitchen at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Chef Gill will explain and demonstrate skills and dishes using organic produce from Windy City Harvest that you can sample and will feel confident making at home. Classes range in price from $40 to $60 per person.
9. Lake Geneva School of Cooking
727 Geneva St., Lake Geneva, WI | (262) 248-3933
From traditional Sunday dinners to classic French cuisine, Chef John Bogan provides a hands-on cooking school experience in the historic parsonage of the Geneva Village Shops. Students work in teams of four, with each team assembling a meal course, and classes include basic kitchen safety instruction and knife skills along with professional instruction and staff guidance. The classes, of course, conclude with a fabulous meal. Classes are priced beginning at $75 per person.
Where have you taken a cooking class in Lake County lately? Leave us a comment about your experience below.
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