Cooking Parties in Chicago

Cooking parties that combine culinary instruction with dining and drinking are gaining in popularity for groups of all sizes. The appeal lies in the interactive, social aspect of these soirees, where you and your guests get to learn a thing or two about cooking while creating your own feast.

Read on for Chicago venues that host memorable culinary celebrations, from intimate gatherings to corporate affairS.

Bespoke Kitchen

Let’s get cooking: Located on Randolph Street’s “Restaurant Row,” Bespoke Cuisine (1358 W. Randolph St., 312.455.8400) is a boutique catering company that also holds interactive cooking parties in its chic space. Bespoke’s chefs lead guests through the preparation of a four-course menu, sharing tips, facts and insights about the process. Then everyone gathers in the gracious dining room to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Whet your appetite: Bespoke’s executive chef and owner Kim Shambrook cooks up globally influenced menus that use seasonal ingredients. “Some of our most popular menus include French bistro, Cuban and Mexican dishes,” Shambrook says. “We can mix and match and customize menus for any party, incorporating everything from a holiday dish to a family recipe.” The experience can be as educational as you like. “Every class will teach basic knife skills and cooking techniques,” Shambrook explains. “But it’s also very much a social event.”

The finishing touch: Bespoke is BYOB and can recommend wines, beers and other drinks from select vendors to accompany your menu. You can bring in CDs or use their MP3 hookup to set some mood music. Guests take home a recipe book and a tin box containing all of the spices used in the dishes to recreate the experience at home.

Cooking Fools

Let’s get cooking: A unique catering company, retail store and cooking class facility located in Wicker Park, Cooking Fools (1916 W. North Ave., 773.276.9377) is a one-stop culinary destination spread out over two floors. Cooking parties here can be intimate events of eight or celebrations of up to 90 people. The Cooking Fools’ approach is casual and flexible and encourages people to cook intuitively without being beholden to recipes. “It feels like going to someone’s house to cook dinner,” says Nick Faitage, the executive chef and owner.

Whet your appetite: Menus are completely customized for each party at Cooking Fools. You will consult with a staff member about your party size, favorite foods and culinary interests to put together the dishes your guests will create. Chef instructors then lead your group through the process, imparting guidance from the professional kitchen for everyday use.   Afterwards, everyone enjoys a full-service, plated meal served in this striking loft-style spot. “We’re very flexible in creating the right event space for your group,” says Faitage.

The finishing touch: Cooking Fools’ retail facility provides the wine and beer selections for your party. Sleek design details include glass block windows, plenty of leather couches and a sophisticated sound system, plus the venue’s location is surrounded by interesting bars, clubs, galleries and theaters to explore before or after your extraordinary event.

The Chopping Block

Let’s get cooking: The Chopping Block’s two locations (The Merchandise Mart, 312.644.6360, and 4747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773.472.6700) and five kitchens can host eight to 250 guests for hands-on classes, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and catered parties for both corporate and social events. You get to choose the level of involvement for your group – from low-impact, instructor-led presentations, to full-on, get-your-hands-dirty activities.

Whet your appetite: The possibilities – and the menus – are endless at The Chopping Block. Choose from creative themes, such as “Italian Night Out,” “Traditional Thai” and “Comfort Food Feast,” or treat your guests to a wildly popular knife skills class or an “Iron Chef” style competition. “We have certain formulas we use to put together a successful event,” says owner Shelley Young. “We customize everything as much as possible so that you know what you’re getting into.”

The finishing touch: The Merchandise Mart and Lincoln Square venues differ in their feel and capacity. The homey Lincoln Square location can host up to 100 people in two kitchens, while the Mart facility can accommodate more than 200 guests in three versatile kitchen spaces. Complimentary welcome appetizers kick off every event, and wine, beer and other drinks can be provided. Gourmet retail stores at both locations offer easy-access gift registries.

The Rustic Kitchen – Fennville, Michigan

Let’s get cooking: Janine MacLachlan, owner of the Rustic Kitchen, relocated her cooking school from the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago to Fennville, Michigan, a scenic resort area situated just over two hours from Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan.
MacLachlan hosts groups of six to 10 guests at her farm for custom cooking classes centered around the area’s abundant produce.

Whet your appetite: Whether a culinary demonstration or hands-on cooking class, MacLachlan instructs participants about the importance of the ingredients they use. “A cook is only as good as their ingredients,” MacLachlan states. She regularly brings students to local farmers’ markets to meet the people behind the produce. “When you know your farmer and your food, it tastes that much better,” she says. On her own 3.5-acre property, MacLachlan grows vegetables and herbs that she uses in her cooking, and she wants to soon add fruit trees to the mix. Cooks of all expertise levels will feel comfortable in MacLachlan’s kitchen. “I find that simpler is better, even if you know how to cook,” she says.

The finishing touch: MacLachlan’s beautiful 1881 farmhouse is completely surrounded by open land. Guests cook in the restored kitchen, and then everyone gathers to eat around a sturdy farm table or under the shady ash tree outdoors.