I did a work team building activity in the Chicagoland area hosted by Parties That Cook. I'll admit…read moreI seldom cook for myself (if anything I enjoy baking more), but this looked like something fun and I was looking forward to getting to know my colleagues a bit more. From what I can gather, Parties that Cook is a mobile cooking company that goes to different venues in a certain geographic area and hosts cooking classes for groups. Our event was at a community center in one of the Chicago suburbs. The first 30 minutes acted as kind of a mixer; they had an open bar and some cheese and crackers for us to nom on - they also had some music playing which added to the mingling atmosphere. There were a total of six cooking stations, each laid out with a recipe and the ingredients you needed to make the dish. Before we began, chef David went through each station with us, giving an overview of each dish and some hot tips in order for us to be successful. He was great - he had an awesome personality, great sense of humor, and was really helpful. We were split into an even number of groups to cover each station. While the staff did prep some of the more time consuming things for us, most of the work was done by my group and I. We were in charge of making onion, apple, and cheddar tarts topped with honey. The recipe was a great catalyst to get to know one each other better and work as a team - plus the finished product tasted good too. At the end we all got to sit and enjoy the dishes made by all the groups. Overall I had a great time - Parties That Cook definitely was a fun way to work together, get to know each other a bit more, and enjoy tasty food.

Excellent, well-executed and fun team-building experience. I admit being skeptical of this…read more"cooking school" dinner event at a recent business meeting. But it was arguably the most beneficial part of the day. Turns out, folks who have known each other for years or just minutes will make new connections when working together over a cutting board or cooking pot. And the staff at Parties that Cook did an excellent job organizing, structuring and coaching us through a fun, high-energy evening (and keeping our wine glasses filled). And yes, we prepared our entire meal, from appetizers to dessert. And this was not mac and cheese. The menu was innovative and appropriately challenging. (When was the last time you prepared persimmons?) Bottom line, this is far better than the typical post-meeting reception/dinner experience, especially for groups that could use an interactive spark. Highly recommended as an out-of-the-ordinary team building activity.

I was surprised with a Valentine's Day Couples Cooking Class at Kendall from my boyfriend. It was…read moreone of the coolest experiences we've enjoyed together! Before you start cooking 3 Chefs explain and demonstrate each course you're going to make. It's a lot to remember so I suggest you pay attention! There are students who walk around to help answer questions and bring you ingredients. The Chefs are also very hands on. One Chef walked me through the entire process of making the vinaigrette! While cooking, they also have a snack & beverage table set up so you won't go hungry! In fact, try not to fill up too fast! Then, there is one course to be eaten at your cooking station, which were the scallops! Here is what we cooked: 1st Course: Beet Salad w/ Oranges & Pistachio Encrusted Baked Goat Cheese Croutons - the croutons came out phenomenal but we forgot to add our vinaigrette! Lol! Whoops! We accidentally left it on the counter! 2nd Course: Scallops in a Butter Blood Orange Sauce topped w/ Caviar- my absolute favorite thing we made! The sauce was so good w/ the perfectly cooked scallops! 3rd Course: 3 Large Flank Steaks w/ Cauliflower Purée- the marinade for the steaks was amazing! Steaks came out nice and juicy! The Cauliflower was cooked in milk then purée by the students. 4th Course: Raspberry Truffles! This was the most comical portion of the evening bc/ we accidentally let the chocolate sit for a little while. When I went to ball the chocolate over the raspberries, the chocolate instantly melted in my hands. A student quickly came over to help but we had a laughing attack bc we were trying to salvage what we could! Quickly, we dipped the truffles into coco powder & put them back in the fridge! It was such a blast pretending to be Gordon Ramsay and Zumbo! It really felt like we were on a cooking show! We were so into it, that out of 28 ppl we were 1st to finish! I wish they would record it & send you home with a dvd! Lol After, Couples enjoy their meals at candle lit banquet style tables lined w/ white table cloth next to an open bar. (This is not the same location as Kendal's main restaurant.) You bring your salad with you and the rest of the courses are served by the students! A lot of thought went into making this night possible & a lot of the ingredients come already prepared! In just under 3hrs you cook & dine! So romantic! So much fun! Delicious food! The perfect date night! I would do it all over again in a heart beat! Thank you, My Love for such a wonderful evening!

Man, I do not cook…read more But, for a night at Kendall College (Spice Up Your Life Cooking program)...I felt for a slice of time, that I might be able to get into it. That feeling has passed, but I still had a really nice time. Ok? Ok. I learned how to "assemble" several items: *Sparking sangria. I'll definitely make this at some point again because it contains alcohol and thus I am not going against my DNA that requires I do not create edible dishes. Ever. Choppy some fruit, throw in some brandy, red wine, Grand Marnier and pour over ice and sprite. Not bad! I'm drunk now, so let's cook.... *Ciabatta Pear Pizza with honey thyme pesto. A winner, most definitely. I could probably make this happen at one point in the future without anyone being harmed or maimed. Those were the standouts. The rest of the dishes (mushroom tartlettes, seafood ceviche, chorizo quesadillas) were all OK, but nothing out of this world. Read: I won't even try to make those. The good parts of this program/classes: the instructors were very fun, and cordial...not like Hell's Kitchen at all. They made it a really fun "Girls Night Out" cooking class. There was also PLENTY of sangria to go around, and other wines to have additionally. For a hot second I actually worried on the way over that I not only had to cook...but had to be sober and cook! Whew. They prep everything for you, so you basically just have to assemble and put in appropriate heating vessel. Even then they have a million students buzzing around checking things, so its basically fool-proof. Except the food processor, I managed to break that. Though, after watching it turn tomatillos into wonderful salsa in mere seconds, I can see why all these chicks want to get married and get a Kitchenaid. Although you know, you can have one and not get married, for the record. A success...and a very fun GNO. Great staff, well organized, private parking and great food. We left stuffed and sauced!

I've been here at least three times, and the experience never disappoints. They start you off with…read morea lovely assortment of three different types of bread served with butter, which is a nice touch. For a three-course meal, the price is very reasonable. The rotating menu means you'll want to be open to trying something new each visit, but that's part of what makes it special. The students do an incredible job, from preparing the food to providing attentive service. Every dish is vibrant, flavorful, and beautifully presented. It's always a pleasure dining here, and I look forward to coming back. You get a nice view of the city if you sit closer to the window. Space is always clean.

Amazing! We went as a group and got to try almost everything. Disclaimer though my friend does work…read moreor study at Kendall so we went to kind of support him. The food really did blow me away because everything tasted like high-end fine dining quality but at a fraction of its price. The drinks were also quite good and they also have wine pairings too. For the main dishes I really like their desserts; they were just not too sweet and just right. For the appetizers I think I like some more than the others. For example the steak at the time was very good; the chicken was a little bland and for the appetizer we all tried different ones too. Overall great experience. Whether your friend, our students at Kendall, were there or not, I think this is a great place to get a very good value for a meal

Counter Culture Coffee offers one of the best coffee classes in all of Chicago. If you're ever in…read moretown, it's absolutely worth checking out. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and go deep into the products, processes, and techniques in a way that's easy to follow but still detailed for coffee lovers. The space itself is fantastic--plenty of seating and a very welcoming atmosphere. It's set up in a way that makes you feel comfortable right away, whether you're there to learn, sip, or just connect with others. What makes it stand out is how interactive and inclusive the classes are. Everyone in the room is encouraged to share, ask questions, and get involved--it's a creative, fun space where people can really be themselves. I loved exploring how many different drinks can be made from a single bean. It gives you a new appreciation for coffee as both a craft and a science. Another thing that's impressive is how Counter Culture is a worldwide company that doesn't even operate its own cafés, but still manages to have such a huge influence through partnerships with roasters and coffee shops everywhere. Their reach and impact in the industry are amazing. Highly recommend if you want to dive deeper into coffee culture.

Their Friday cupping sessions are my favorite. I love bringing friends to try this place. Everyone…read morethere is so knowledgeable and truly nerd out about coffee. It's a wonderful way to spend a Friday morning

I attended a cooking class at World Kitchen and it was so much fun. They offer different themed…read moreclasses and mine was Cabaret. The cooking director brought in an expert on German 1930s history to offer a background of the times and the food that was eaten in Berlin. Then we were all split up into teams and in charge of certain recipes. At first, I was confused because I wasn't sure what I can do or what I can't do in regards to if something needed to be boiled, can I grab the pot or someone has to direct me to the right ones, etc. They do have assistants to guide you so after a few minutes, I was on a roll. You get to use all the real utensils (nice sharp Chef knives) and stainless steel counters everywhere. In the process, you get to meet different people (all adult ages) and laugh while you "pretend" to be a chef. Finally, we all get to taste the food and it was delicious! Top it off, it's only $30 per person and you are there for three hours! Wearing comfortable clothes & non-skid shoes (and an apron) is highly recommended. Note: these classes fill up fast! The next set of classes is after Labor Day so schedule it in your PDA.

We had so much fun this past weekend at Kendall College's Recreational Class - Hoiday Cookie…read moreExchange. There were ten groups of two people each and each group made 2 cookies. The recipes were just hard enough to be challenging but not so difficult that they were impossible. It was great to have the students there to help and bonus - they did all the clean up. So fun to be in an industrial kitchen. At the end of the class each participant gets to take home a few of each of the 20 types of cookies. Such a great way to spend an afternoon. They do this class annually and I plan to make it a holiday tradition

Very impressed with the new NLU Kendall College Culinary/Hospitality location. State of art kitchen…read moreand appliances.

Friends That Cook has been a game changer for our family. As busy working parents with a large…read morefamily, having healthy, delicious meals ready to go has made life so much easier. The chef is amazing and creates food that everyone actually enjoys eating. The quality, variety, and convenience are outstanding. Highly recommend Friends That Cook to any family looking for great-tasting, healthy meals without the stress of cooking every night!

Katie has been fantastic! She has been professional and personable. We got along right away. She…read morehas been incredibly attentive to our likes and dislikes, checking in with me before every session to determine what worked and what didn't, collaborating and tailoring the weekly menu. And most importantly, her cooking is excellent! uses a rainbow of vegetables every week, I love it! The FTC system is easy to navigate and totally customizable. It was totally worth the wait.