What an AMAZING experience! I came with 3 friends for a girl's night and we all had an absolute BLAST. There were about 16 attendees total, which was a good sized group for the location. We started off with about a half hour of mingling, getting setup with drinks (BYOB) and the provided fresh baked bread with assorted cheeses, then all gathered around the large U-shaped island that would be our workspace. As others have mentioned, this isn't a you-cook-everything for your meal type of experience, rather, every step is demonstrated by the instructor then a few people in the class will take turns performing it while others move on to other steps. My class was the Bavette menu, which was (I'm not even going to attempt to write out the french titles for these) a bacon and mushroom puff pastry, sous-vide flank steak with duck fat roasted potatoes and Bearnaise sauce, and a chocolate lava cake for dessert. The food was fantastic. An absolutely amazing meal. But really the best part about this whole experience was the people and the group interaction. Throughout the night, we all got to know each other and had a bunch of fun working together. There was tons of laughter and it was an all around great time. It culminated in us sitting at a long table and having dinner together. It was also someone's birthday, so we all sang happy birthday. Overall, 10/10 experience! I will DEFINITELY be back. This was one of the best girl's nights we've had in a while, but it would also be great for a date or just a couple of friends. Hell, it would even be a great first date! Oh, and our instructor, Ryan, was incredible. He was hilarious and a great teacher. read more

Went here during the summer and it was blazing hot inside. Not sure if it's due to the 18-20 person class, or all the oven and skillets going on. Warning - this isn't a "get to learn how to cook everything on the menu" class. You take turns doing stuff, and you can actually miss a lot of what's going on. I wish I knew that beforehand otherwise I would have picked another location. However, if you're able to go with a majority of the class being your friends or booking a private class, I think it would make it more fun. It's BYOB and the instructor is fantastic. He's really funny and helpful. The menus are all French food so hopefully you're into that type of cuisine. There's a "family" dinner at the end and sometimes there's enough food to bring back some so bring Tupperware! read more

See all

Cook Au Vin was the most fun I've had in a while. Ryan, our cooking INSTRUCTOR, was sarcastic, witty and so fun. He was very informative, and made sure to show us the skills and then let us all practice. We learned knife skills (dicing an onion, mincing garlic, chopping celery), shucking skills (both corn and oysters), and life skills (adding a pound of butter makes everything taste delicious ;). We participated in the Creole Cooking MENU. We started with Broiled Oysters, which was crazy. I've never eaten an oyster, let alone shucked and prepped it. Some of them had little crabs in it, which was hilarious. As a main we had a seafood gumbo, and the roux alone took almost an entire 3 hours so you know how fantastic that tasted. It was crammed with shrimp, sausage and crab meat. We topped it with a basmati rice and vegetable medley, which made it extra hearty. Last but not least was the pecan pie; heaven on earth, my friends!! We attended on a night where the CLASS SIZE was 8, but they can get up to 12. Not everyone can try every last skill, but at least you're exposed to everything. Plus, they send the recipes through email, so it's easy to try again at a later date. Pro Tip #1: BRING WINE. Classes are always more fun with wine involved. Pro Tip #2: COME HUNGRY. They serve fresh baked bread and multiples cheeses before class even begins, and you will have a VERY hearty portion to try at the end of your four-hour class, too. Pro Tip #3: BRING TUPPERWARE. There are so many leftovers, and the instructor wants you to take it all home. It's a great lunch to make your coworkers jealous the following day. On the night we went, they even sent my friend home with a whole leftover pie crust! Pro Tip #4: CHECK GROUPON for deals. (Honestly though, Cook Au Vin is well worth the splurge even if they don't have something running through Groupon at the time.) You're in for a good time if you sign up for a class with them! read more

See all

This is a must do. My friends and I did the Bordeaux Menu on 1/8/2020 with Ryan and a number of other people. It was a fantastic experience and exceeded our expectations. Ryan was able to manage all of us and get us all involved in the preparation of our meal. We learned a lot of tips, had fun preparing the meal, got to wear chef's hats and aprons, and we all gathered around a table for a wonderful meal. What a concept to get so many people together and then to have us all work together to prepare a larger meal, from appetizers through dessert. Ryan did a great job with us. Will be back. read more

See all

This was my first cooking class ever, and Chef Maggy was the best! I came here for a private pastry class with the ladies at my company; there were 8 of us. We learned to make macarons and Paris Brest. Prior to coming, I had imagined that we would all get our own stations to cook. Instead, it was like a group activity, which was an awesome experience. There was more than enough ingredients for each of us to have a task, and definitely enough to take home! Chef Maggy was very patient with us. She gave us tips along the way and showed us plenty of techniques for how to make pastries. I'm happy that the chefs here are actually French and have been cooking/baking French food for a long time - it really makes the place authentic. Don't forget to bring your Tupperware and wine! And definitely bring some cash to tip the chef :) read more

See all

This was the 1st time at a cooking class for me. We did the chicken fricassee menu. The chef was patient and took care to ensure we were on track with all the food. She was very patient with the group. You pair up and take on a task to help execute the meal....it could be prepping to cooking or both. Do not expect to come in here to so do everything start to finish. Its french so there is a lot of butter involved. We did a Saturday 12pm class so we made our own mimosas. BYOB is a plus! read more

See all

I took my fiance for his birthday here last year. It was definitely something to try once if not twice (if you can afford it). The chef who walked us through creating scallops and hunters' chicken was very friendly and made the evening fun. The session was something like 4 hours long, so don't arrive starving, although they did have bread to hold you over. Cook Au Vin is perfect for a third or fourth date, anniversary, or something for girls' night. The only downside is that it's fairly pricey. However, if it's in your budget, I highly recommend it. The one star removed is due to the booking and not the event itself. Booking an evening can be hard because they only have so many events and they're limited to less than a dozen people for the most part. But the event itself is a five-star worthy night. read more

My husband and I had a blast! Food was delicious (we did the Bavette menu) and we had a large group so you could be as hands on as you wanted to be with cooking. Great experience overall! Loved that there was free parking right across the street. That was a huge perk since we came from the suburbs! read more

See all

This is the best value cooking class in Chicago!! Not only is it hands-on, but it's BYOB too! You'll learn about knife skills, the food you are cooking, the fats and salts to cook with, and you'll get a multi-course dinner out of it! And there's always a dessert to make as well. Most recently, I did the Alsace menu, where we learned how to cut an onion and chop cabbage, how to cook pork shank, and we also made a German tart for an appetizer and red wine poached pears for dessert. Now, two notes of advice: as the website shows, this is a 4 hour class. Don't expect to eat dinner 2 hours in. It can feel a little long on a weeknight but plan ahead! They also serve fresh bread and cheese as an app when you get there at 6pm so you shouldn't be starving. Second, this class is usually $120 per person. It's on Groupon right now for $115 for two people. If you wait until Groupon has its 20% off code, then you get a full dinner for two under $100. PLUS, if you buy the Groupon through EBates and wait until Groupon has a high percentage cash back, that'll bring the total cost for two to under $90, plus whatever you spend on wine. My favorite menus are Bavette (steak) and Bordeaux (salmon and homemade pasta), but for this price you really can't go wrong. The brunch class is great too! Oh and bring Tupperware with you to scoop up any leftovers! read more

Went here last night with my mom. We had a fabulous time. Ryan was an excellent teacher and a lot of fun. We made broiled oysters which I didn't think I would like because I like them raw instead but they were delicious. The seafood gumbo with the rice was very good and I can't wait to try to make at home. My favorite was the pecan pie it was sooo delicious. Ryan taught us different skills to have in the kitchen (cutting skills, cleaning and opening oysters, etc.). I definitely recommend this place very intimate and the BYOB is an extra bonus. Definitely worth the money. Also, enough to take home leftovers read more

Cook Au Vin - Mom and I with our Seafood Gumbo - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

This was an experience we will never forget. We had 8 people, three generations, and everyone was engaged. From the moment we arrived, Chef Benoit made us feel at home with extraordinary hospitality, a warm french welcome, and fresh charcuterie. We drank and relaxed while he set up the kitchen. When he called us in the experience was magical from start to finish. He made fancy french cooking accessible, taught us tips and tricks, included everyone, kept us on time and in motion, and made sure everyone was having fun. He was a master instructor, host, and chef. The meal was outstanding. Worth every penny. Would do this again. I came home the next day and was successfully able to recreate some of the dishes we made in the class. RaeAnn was so accommodating in the scheduling and planning. The whole event was a dream. If I could give it 10 stars I would. read more

See all

My group and I had a very fun evening and experience! Chef Benoit was engaging and got each of us involved in the meal prep. The food was delicious and the entire experience made for a very fun birthday for my boyfriend! Also - I appreciated how easy it was to schedule this event. Rae Ann was easy to get in contact with and prompt in her responses. Would 10/10 recommend this experience - you won't regret it!!! read more

Truly nothing special in the world of DIY cooking classes. Our party of four listened patiently as too-young-to-be-so-cynical Chef Ryan pontificated on where to find the "best" fried chicken, chastised guests for not properly dicing onions and flipping beignets, and insisted that all 14 of us be seated before tucking into a decidedly average meal. Need tips on making a roux? Save your cash and check out YouTube. read more

Chef Benoitt is awesome! I bought my ticket on Gilt City and signed up for the Coq Aun Vin -101 class. There were 12 of us in this class and it was bordering on a bit too crowded in my opinion. I think if they could limit a class to 10 that'd be better. There were supposed to be 14 of us so I'm glad two didn't show. Even though I'm a fairly advanced home cook I still picked up tips from the Chef. The class is geared a bit more towards beginners or least it seemed like most of the people in my group didn't know much about cooking. That said it was definitely worth the $ for the class. Just make sure to bring Tupperware for leftovers! read more

We took the Bavette Menu class on a Saturday at noon. It's scheduled for 12-4 however we were wrapping up our meal just after 3 which was nice. I've taken several "2 Hour Cooking Classes" atva place that rhymes with Bur La Mob and they're always longer. I don't mind spending extra time there but if you've never been it could be frustrating. So, Cook Au Vin doesn't do that. Mary was our chef and was amazing. There was bread, cheese and butter waiting when we arrived. It's a BYOB class so don't forget your wine!! Mary was on top of it throughout the class. There were 18 of us and the class was as smooth as the Béarnaise she taught us to make. We'll definitely be back!! read more

See all

I came across this place when I was scrolling through Groupon looking for cooking lessons that my boyfriend and I could participate in. I found their deal labeled Parisian Bistro and I paid $115 for two as opposed to their original price of $240 for two. Chef Benoit was very warm and welcoming. He makes sure to create an environment where everyone can learn and he does a good job at making sure the class moves like clock work where everyone has something different to do and we finish making multiple dishes simultaneously in a timely manner. The place is BYOB so make sure to bring some wine or beer before you come. In case you forget there is a liquor store nearby called Before You Go Liquors at 1917 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614. Also make sure to bring Tupperware! You're going to need it if you want to take the eats you made back home. Unfortunately, this time we forgot. Getting reservations for this specific class (Parisian Bistro) on a weekend was especially difficult because many people had also bought the same Groupon. I had to book this class 6 months in advance. All in all it was a nice way to spend a Saturday with a friend, family member, or significant other. read more

See all

If you want to learn a few kitchen tricks and have fun while at it - Chef Scott is your man! He pretty much makes the venue. While keeping the atmosphere light and humorous, he demonstrates all steps, tells you all about the ingredients, cooking tools and chemistry behind the dishes. His passion for cooking is contagious so participating is fun and empowering! We took a Champagne Dinner class where we learned how to make a 3 course meal (every course was made with champagne! The venue is BYOB and I STRONGLY RECOMMEND AT LEAST A BOTTLE OF WINE PER STUDENT. I know this sounds a bit excessive, but in reality the class goes on for 4-5 hours and amazing snacks are served to keep you energized... it really sucks when you run out of wine:( With this said being able to drink while learning makes this a relaxing venue, but doesn't take away from actually gaining valuable cooking skills! Chef Scott is doesn't mind answering any questions, even when they dont directly relate to the dishes we were focused on. I finally got answers to my biggest kitchen dilemas, from cooking tools and pots to my failed attempts of making foie gras - that alone made the class worth attending! The interior and equipment were clean & cozy. When we finally set down for dinner Scott was very attentive, he helped serve all the hot items... so that his tipsy students were safe! He went around to make sure that we were happy and satisfied! My friends and had a blast! read more

See all

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!! This was a great class! I have taken classes at the Chopping Block and Kendall College (and some other spots in other cities), and while they are great - they are different and this was really fun! The evening did start a bit haphazardly because one of the girls working there thought the class started an hour later, but all was fine in the end. Our host/chef was not only hilarious, but also a great teacher, and while I know how to cut an onion, I did learn...how to use a fork to dislodge all of the good bits from parsley, that you should NEVER salt things when you want to carmelize them, and an easy way to get garlic smooshed and nicely chopped the way you like it (and some other things of course!). With 12 people, it's a small enough group to chat with, but not too big that you feel that it's a big demonstration class. Everyone in the class was friendly and we found some random connections between some of the other participants (one of the girls knew my sister!). The food was lovely and I loved the pate we started with for appetizers - ostrich and duck liver - wow! Definitely worth a visit!! read more

I got to experience an event with Cook Au Vin and was pleasantly pleased at their demeanor and friendliness and yummy crepes. Looking forward to trying them out in an actual cooking class. We shall see. Thanks for the experience. read more

Despite the scheduling issues I noted in my other review, one of the managers finally reached out to help get us scheduled. My boyfriend and I attended the Champagne class and had an absolute blast cooking, as well as thoroughly enjoyed eating our final product. I do love that the class is BYOB (and they provide bread/cheese when you arrive). The instructor was friendly and knowledgable. We had a chance to help make a truffle leek/potato soup and fresh linguine while the rest of the crew helped make the shrimp scampi and chocolate lava cake. Overall, it was a delish and fun date night that I would do again (though probably not when they are doing a Gilt promotion again because of the scheduling challenges) read more

Great experience today with Ryan He showed us many valuable cooking tips and created a fabulous lunch that we created together as a group under his expert direction well worth booking a class Such great fun with lots of laughs Plus we drink and eat all that we prepared!! read more

We had a fantastic night of cooking and drinking. This was definitely NOT a traditional class. There was one large table in the kitchen for about 12-14 people to cook on. Each couple has tasks of what to cook/do. Not everyone gets to cook. For example, one couple will make the dough, the next couple will make the sauce, the other couple will make the salmon. Once finished preparing the food, everyone sits down at the dining room table to eat all together. This was definitely more of a dining party rather than a learning experience. It's also fairly expensive. I went here with a gilt city deal which made it more worth it. Otherwise, I would pass because of the price and I can probably just go to a really nice dinner instead. Overall, we had a fantastic time and chef Benoit was a great host and a chef. read more

See all

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the New Orleans creole class. The class is intimate enough that you'll actually be very hands on & able to engage but not too large to sit idly by. The chef was patient & he ensured everyone had a hand in preparing the meal. Upon arriving there was self serve bread with cheese & olives. They are "BYOB" friendly (I was told there's a liquor store within walking distance)so I'm not sure if I was drunk or the fact that I actually cooked but the dishes were pretty damn awesome. We covered everything from appetizer, entree & dessert to knife skills & what temperature our frying oil should be. The chef also ensured we had a jazz soundtrack to go along with New Orleans theme. After all the food is prepared all the participants sit family style at a nice table to feast on the fruit of your labor. I would encourage you to be prepared to take plenty of leftovers with you also & bring your own Tupperware. Cookauvin also provides a follow up email with a recipe copy of your prepared meal as well as others. read more

Cook Au Vin - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Purchased a cooking class for me and my husband for this place through Groupon. They offer several different menus, including a creole one (which our chef mentioned is his favorite class to teach). We went for the Bavette menu. Class started on a Friday evening at 6 with wine and cheese, and things got going about a half hour in. There were 8-10 of us in total working around a large island. Rather than each person making their own food, it was a communal experience -- some people worked on dessert, some on entree etc and people moved around if they wanted to help with one thing or another. It was nice because everyone got to both cook, as well as step back and observe with a drink (BYOB). If you're hoping for a class where you learn how to make a meal so you can later recreate it this is not for you, although you do get recipes sent afterward. If you're looking for a fun and cozy night out you'll enjoy this. We made a flank steak, garlic potatoes, some sort of app and a molten chocolate lava cake. Everything was good though nothing was "the best thing I ever ate." We got to prep food sous vide style which was cool, the overall experience is great if that's what you're looking for! Then we all ate a meal family style. I knocked off one star mainly bc, there were some flies and mosquitos buzzing around us the whole time. Not really on the food and the flies flew out when we had the door open at some point but I got bit up by mosquitos on my ankles which was a small nuisance. It also was a little awkward that the chef didn't sit down to eat with us, would've been nice if he did though he did still hang around and chat with us. Overall, solid night. My husband loved it and when I asked him how many stars to give he said 5, so that's a win in my book! read more

The worst place to learn! My friend Daniel Park and I booked a bread class and for the second time they canceled just hours before the time that the class should begin! It is so unprofessional, they just don't care that you prepared yourself and routine, put your money in their, also your expectation! I don't have words to say how unsatisfied I am! Just don't sing for any class! Don't waste your money and time! read more

The class and the ambiance were amazing. The only reason I give it four stars is that we weren't told that it would be a class where everyone would do a part of the recipe. Most classes I've gone to we've been able to make the entire meal. I didn't really learn much as it was too chaotic and we were doing bits and pieces of everything. Chef Mary was amazing and made the class entertaining. It's also BYOB! read more

See all

Took my second cooking class and loved it! Benoit as always is very knowledgeable, patient, and funny. Students in the class were couples, friends, families and all had a lot of fun. Byob as always and a great environment! Classes here are probably the best date, gift, group activity ever. A few individuals came as well and were welcomed into the mix instantly. Will absolutely come back! Being Tupperware because you will make a lot of good that won't be eaten! read more

I came here last week for a team event at work and had such a great time! This is way more intimate than most cooking classes, and not at all commercial which is great. Also, you are basically cooking everything from scratch vs. many other cooking classes I've attended where half the stuff is already premade. I highly recommend this for a group event where you can rent out the whole place, I'm sure cooking classes here are fun as well if it's just 2-3 people with other groups but we really had so much fun all together with no one else there. Chef Vincent was hilarious, very French and loved his sassy attitude. He's hands on but then let's you do it yourself but he has a great sense of humor and made it even more enjoyable. There were 10 of us, we went through 20 bottles of wine and we were there for about 4 hours! When we arrived there was a cheese plate and fresh bread (so yum) for us to snack on which was nice because we didn't actually eat dinner until 9:45pm after all the cooking. We made the coq au vin, cheese puffs (forget the French name), fresh pasta and apple tarte. All were soo good! read more

My boyfriend and I were able to do the Chicken Fricassee Cooking class with Vincent as the Chef, and it was incredible! We have done a few other cooking classes in the city and this was by far our favorite! Other classes generally consist of getting a step by step instructions for 30 minutes, and then they take away what you've put together, and bring out the finished product done by the professionals (not that I mind since I am not the greatest cook!). Here you get the FULL experience and it feels like you are in a French Families kitchen from scratch. You get involved with all the steps, work together to put the meal together, and mingle with the other people that are there. I highly recommend this as a gift for your significant other, friend, or family - you will not be dissapointed! Just remember it is BYOB and bring tupperwear if you want to bring home any leftovers ( we loved our meal so much we had none though...) Not to forget, they also make AMAZING fresh bread, which you start with while prepping the ingredients. This bread can be found around the city, which I am now going to make sure to get weekly. read more

See all

Disappointing and irresponsible sum up my experience with Cook Au Vin. I booked a cooking class for a Friday evening in February over 2 months in advance. 3 weeks before the scheduled class, I received an email stating that the class was canceled due to a "scheduling conflict." Seeing that this class was booked so far in advance, and the fact that it is NOT cheap, I responded to the email inquiring about compensation for this inconvenience. I received a reply back that they cannot refund me, and to look at the calendar to book a new class. Every single class was booked for a Friday and Saturday up until late April. Word of advice for Cook Au Vin: 1. If you randomly cancel on your clients, make sure you have availability for them 2. Offer some kind of compensation for the inconvenience Word of advice for the end user: 1. Do NOT give this company business read more

I dined on a Thursday. There were some scheduling snafus (the chef at the other location called in sick) but they made it right on their own without complaint from me. That's being proactive and having good customer service. This is a group dining experience. The real fun (to me) is in the interesting characters cooking around you. If you are looking for something more technical to advance actual cooking skills this might not be the best for u. You probably won't get to make every dish hands on. But that works for me! The food is great every time. read more

This was a great time! Ryan made the cooking class fun. All the recipes for this class were great! I believe we used close to 2 lbs of butter in all, but whose counting?! We chose the Bavette menu this time. Can't wait to try another! read more

Cook Au Vin - Ryan and the yummy cheese tray we were served. - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

My friend and I went to a class for her birthday yesterday and we had an amazing time! Our instructor was awesome! She was very knowledgeable, kind, and funny which made the experience that much better. Food was delicious. Would definitley come back/recommend to a friend! read more

See all

It was not as hands on as I expected/hoped for which is why I gave 2 stars. The cooking portion could have been done in 1 hour with proper time management - 4 hours is too long! There was enough room in the kitchen for 12 of us but there was lots of standing around so consider reducing class sizes? This would be perfect for very laid back date, would probably rate this 4-5 stars, but if you are expecting to be cooking the whole time this is not the class for you. Ryan, the instructor, gave good directions but I did not really learn anything, could have just read a recipe (but to be fair I am very comfortable in the kitchen). Some of the things he said was a thin line between funny sarcasm and condescending, take that as you will... You have to somewhat interact with other people so it was a bit awkward in the beginning, but luckily it's BYOB and people are generally friendly. Probably more fun if you booked a private lesson with people you knew. The food we made was great, but not enough for everyone to take leftovers. Received email after class with PDF recipes for all their classes, except the one we actually did (Bavette menu) but to be fair it was the first time it was being offered. read more

So not to diminish my 700th but my real 700th is this... Seems like every 100th I'm talking about my hobbies, the things that bring me joy, my passions in life, things that wet my whistle, and this one will be no exception. So without further adieu, I give you... COOKING!!! I dig it! Cooking for me is like a combination of things, an expression of who you are, it can be a form of art, it has the precision of dance, and it has the thought and preparation of a play. As like most hobbies natural talent will only take you so far, this is where Cook Au Vin comes in. Just a little sample of French cuisine and how to prepare it. Though, if you have few amateur chefs in the group and or are smart enough, you will ask a lot of questions beyond French cooking. I'll be honest, I came in here with a Groupon and expecting one of those watch them prepare the meal, then eat it kind of deals. But at Cook Au Vin, you're all hands in. Chef Scott is hilarious and yet professional. He was fearless with letting us all handle knives and made it a point to have every one involved and everyone getting their hands dirty. He was playful yet descriptive when explaining the do's and don'ts of French/ cooking overall. I can't even begin to explain how much fun was had by all and then we got to eat. We went with the French Riviera Menu which was vegetarian. Starter - Vichyssoise Classic: French-American soup made of leeks and potatoes with crème fraîche. We actually made this two ways, cold and hot (a real Vichyssoise is cold). Entrée - Napolenta: Polenta-based Napoleon with layered of roasted vegetables and topped with a fluffy tomato and basil emulsion. Side - Tomates Provençales: Roasted tomato halves topped with garlic and herbes Provence. Dessert - Tarte Tatin: Upside-down caramelized apple tart. The class is three hours and they encourage you to bring some wine or whatever you want. Before the class even begins they set out a cheese and bread platter. The cheese was great and the bread is actually made fresh from their bakery of which they also have a bread making class. I'll admit the classes are a little pricy but you do get a lot out of the class. You leave stuffed, a head full of cooking, also they email you the recipes the next day, and a big smile on your face from having a good time. read more

Perhaps the classes differ based on the instructor, but this was definitely more of a "prepare a meal as a group" than a "learn new techniques" experience. I'm far from a master chef but I walked away from our 3 hour class (was supposed to be 4, keep reading) having learned absolutely nothing. I purchased two class passes from Gilt City at a heavy discount. I'd originally hoped to book a class somewhere around Valentine's Day, but those filled up almost instantly. I really wanted the Chanel menu, but those were also all filled, so we opted for the Gaultier menu. That menu is vegetarian, and my boyfriend and I are not, but the food sounded so delicious we didn't care. We signed up for a class that began at 4 pm on a Sunday. I'd read all the raves about the delicious bread and cheese served during class and anxiously awaited them. I'm not sure if the afternoon classes are different, but we never got any. In fact, there was nothing to eat until the meal was served about 2.5 hours in. Our class was a little odd, which our instructor, Vincent, kept commenting on. We had three mother daughter teams (with one underage daughter) and three couples. Only two of the groups brought wine, so we didn't have the raucous atmosphere described in some of the other reviews. Basically we all went and stood by a station, having no idea what skills would be used in each. We then went about preparing some part of the meal. My entire Cook Au Vin experience involved dicing tomatoes and pulling basil leaves off a stem. Really. We never rotated stations so I never got to learn anything about making souffle or custard, which were the skills I was really interested in. Vincent walked around to help each station, but he didn't point out techniques or teach anything. we never even learned what type of cheese was used in the souffle (we asked the women at that station, they didn't know either). Our class finished cooking really quickly (possibly because no one was drinking). We sat down to eat at 6:30. The food was delicious, I have to give Cook Au Vin that. By 7:15 everyone was done and out the door. I was emailed recipes the next day, but, again they lacked important detail like what type of cheese to use in the souffle and all the units are in metric. They're essentially useless. Overall I was really disappointed in this experience. I expected something totally different - to learn how to make ALL the menu dishes. My boyfriend and I still had fun, but if I'd paid the sticker price for the class ($260 for 2 people) I'd have been furious. I'd way rather spend that money on a nice dinner out or a cooking class that actually has, you know, instruction. Sorry Cook Au Vin, the only thing that's even netting you 3 stars is that I bought these classes on super sale. There's a reason they're constantly on Gilt City and Groupon. read more

If you're looking for a cooking class that is instructive, engaging, and worth the price, move right along. My husband and I arrived just a few minutes after 7:00 pm. We walked in - no greeting - just a bunch of other patrons standing around looking as confused as we were. There were nice snacks to munch on before class, however. Once the "class" started, we all gathered around the cooking area and the chef assigned groups of 2-3 to work on different sections of the meal. My job was cracking eggs and slicing meat - not exactly the type of things that require any skill or chance to learn new techniques. At no point were we shown a recipe or menu, and it was mostly up to all of us in the class to ask the chef what the heck we were making. Everyone was working in a silo, so you didn't get a chance to see how other dishes were being prepared. The instructions were vague -- "chop this" or "add pepper". Like, how should it be chopped? How much pepper? Very frustrating and not at all the learning experience I had expected based on classes I'd taken before at the Chopping Block. The saving grace was the BYOB and the fact that the other people in our session were really friendly. read more

A friend of ours got a group class as a birthday gift from her boyfriend. I was one of the lucky friends who got to come with. Our entire group had a great time learning to cook new things and hanging out. We started off the night with some cheese platters and wine that everyone brought. Then we cooked, chopped, kneaded and baked a variety of different things. Very hands on, very informative although hard to actually recreate when you get home because they don't give out any of the recipes. That's why I knocked it down a star. You will have fun inside the class, but don't really plan on making the things you learned again. Especially since you are cooking while tipsy from the wine. After we were done cooking, we all sat down and feasted on the dinner we made. The chefs brought out the courses one by one. The sauteed zucchini and red peppers with herbs de provence and a creamy sauce were just beyond amazing. Even my husband liked them and he is not even a fan of vegetables. Overall it was a great experience, but no clue how much it would have cost had we booked the class. Can't imagine it's cheap, but definitely fun! read more

Over the Summer, Nick and I took the leap and participated in a cooking class. Since I consider popping a frozen dinner into the microwave cooking, I was slightly nervous to say the least. As soon as we arrived, my anxiousness began to subside because the space is so inviting and quaint. Also, the class is BYOB, so I am sure the few sips of my red wine helped a bit too! As the class started, there were about five pairs and the instructor. The instructor was very informative and patient with the students. He was quite funny too. We had the opportunity to stir, whisk, chop, slice, etc...(the correct ways) in the course of the three-hour class. At the end, we made a three-course vegetarian meal that was to die for! Double YUMMY!! After we finished cooking as a team, we all sat at this French country style dining room table and enjoyed the rest of our cocktails and meal by candlelight. There was a feeling of accomplishment and achievement as we left that warm and stormy evening. Can I cook any of those items again? Not me...but I loved every minute of the experience and would love to embark on that journey again! read more

We took a private cooking class here with another couple and it was a fantastic night. Chef Vincent was kind and generous and patient and provided his with delectable ingredients and superb instruction so we could create a wonderful French meal. We brought our own wine (they recommended 2 bottles per couple) and so......let the games begin. We sat at a comfortable country dinner table near the prep table and were served a fantastic spread of cheese, meats, pate,fresh baked baguettes, french butter, oh yes, and did I mention wine? It was comfortable and warmed us up for the cooking tasks that lay ahead. We selected 3 dishes and a dessert from the menu a head of time, and it was a difficult decision. I am sure that anything we would have selected from the menus would have been marvelous. We prepared the dishes together at the prep table and it was fun and relaxed. This was not a 'hardcore' cooking class- this was a great night out with friends cooking together under the sweet guidance of Chef Vincent Guillaume. We enjoyed sitting down and savoring the fruits of our collective labor; it was a night we all enjoyed thoroughly. There is no doubt that we will be back for another wonderful experience at Cook Au Vin as well as make the trip to the chef's bakery in Logan Square, La Boulangerie for some baugettes and other delectables.... read more