My husband purchased a class for us for my birthday. It was one of the best gifts. We had a marvelous time with chef Kelly. We learned new things in the class and our chef was very approachable and friendly. The staff offered us wine or beer and at our station was a little snack of fruits. The store was well set up and during a small break we got to browse and grabbed a few new items. I will be bringing my four year old in for a class for our next trip to Marcel's. It was such an enjoyable experience. read more

While I love to cook - and eat - I'd never considered taking a cooking class and don't usually find myself in a store like Marcel's... But my wife surprised me with a gift card for a cooking class and I figured, OK, I might learn a thing or two. I took a Friday night class, with a neighbor whose wife had also bought him a class, and we had a great time! Our Chef, Kelly, taught us all about 'pork' as we chopped, sliced and diced - with 10 other people - while drinking Two Brothers beer (a favorite of mine). I learned a few handy 'knife skills' while also picking up some tips on how to make healthy pork dinners, including a rocking jalapeño pork burger! When our class had finished making all the dishes, including stew, bacon appetizers, pork chops rubbed with spices and more, we sat down and ate it! I hadn't expected an entire meal, too, and it was great. The beer was enjoyable, too. :) When we were done with the class, the chef told us we would receive a 10% discount on anything we bought that night. Not one for 'shopping' much, I made a beeline to the BBQ tools, knives and other 'manly' stuff. I bought a stovetop smoker, after one of the other guys in the class told me used it to smoke salmon on his stove, inside, in about 25 minutes. Hard to believe, but it works! I've even smoked sausage on it, with ZERO smoke in the house. Cool. Since that class, my wife and I took a class together on cooking with all kinds of cheeses, combined with instruction on how to make (and drink) the perfect bloody Mary. All in all, I've enjoyed the classes I've taken - we've signed up for another class on 'date night' - and I'm hoping for a cool new knife for my birthday. A great find in downtown Glen Ellyn! read more

Wow, these ladies go above and beyond. I ended up with a sprained ankle and could not pick up a CSA box that I had purchased and they hand delivered it to my house. That is customer service. In addition, they are so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable each and every time I go in to their store. They carry a great lineup of unique products and it is just fun to shop there. I have not taken any cooking classes yet but I plan to very soon. read more

Saturday morning dessert class for us! Rachel, the instructor, was fabulous. She is a great teacher, can multi-task with 16 busy wannabe chefs/bakers and has practical tips for success. Our class was relatable for varying skill levels and ages (ours included teens - retirees.) Highly recommend. Grab your spot early- sessions fill. read more

Chef Kelly is awesome. Recipes and food was delicious. The cooking instruction is rather light and it's clear that some folks are there more for the drinks and socializing than actually learning techniques. Also several of the recipes were made for us ahead of time so we only prepared a subset of the menu. read more

Wonderful shop for cooking supplies. I found several small utensils that I needed for baking, all were less than $7.00 apiece. I'll be back for some cast iron pans. The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming. read more

My husband and I truly enjoy attending the workshops at Marcel's. The staff is so friendly, the chefs are wonderful and make the classes very interactive and fun not to mention the delicious menus! It's great that they offer a 10% discounted on anything in the store the day of your class. I recommend Marcel's to anyone who wants to learn, have a date night or a friends night out. read more

My son took a week of cooking classes at Marcel's with a friend. They loved it! Very educational and the the staff was "really nice"....according to the kids. I loved that the dishes were pretty sophisticated and thats part of what make it so great. We traveled from Batavia everyday, a long drive, but so worth it! Wish we had a Marcel's closer to us! read more

What a fantastic little store. And really, for downtown GE, not too little - it's quite sizable. They have some fantastic products that offer great quality as well. You'll pay for it, for sure, but it'll last you quite some time...or a lifetime. Pots, pans, knives, bowls, utensil, and anything else you can think of (and things you can't). All of this comes with great service as well - friendly and knowledgeable. Marcel's also has some good food products in addition to all of their cookware, and also some dishware and linens as well. Also, cooking classes. My mother took a bread making class and said it was great. That being said, she mentioned the price was a bit high and that prices have been raised quite a bit since then. Story of Marcel's - quality products, great service, and you'll pay for it. read more

Kiley Field's Travel Thailand class was inspiring. She has such an engaging and fun personality. Everyone in our class got the opportunity to participate in the preparation of some part of our Thai menu. Our meal was delicious, and the directions we took home were easy to follow. I loved the cucumber salad with peanut dressing so much that I proceeded to make it the very next night, to the delight of my husband! Very fun evening - I highly recommend trying one of Marcel's classes. read more

What an amazing experience! We had our own work station, learned 4 recipes and many tips along the way. The chef and staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and provided a memorable experience. Can't wait to make these goodies again at home! read more

What a lovely way to spend a Friday evening...taking part in Chef Paul's "Italian Winter Table" class. The food was outstanding, what a fun group and Chef Paul provided a wonderful evening of great cooking skills and tips...and very tasty food. Can't wait to do another! read more

The demo lunch classes are really very informative as well as delicious. I have been cooking for over 50 years and I always learn something. This is my third lunch demo class and I found Kelly to be very clear in her explanations and full of useful hints. All the classes provided recipes, grocery lists, and the ability to taste the dish (so you know what to expect, or hope for) when you make the dish at home. Highly recommended lunchtime activity! read more

We had a marvelous time at this cooking class...so much personal attention and FOOD! We've done classes with a large chain store, and while it was fun, it really couldn't compare to the class at Marcel's. Chef Paul is an excellent teacher/storyteller...and we both learned some techniques to use at home. The assistants were so attentive - we were served drinks upon arrival, and each course that we made was like a meal in itself, and each was paired with a cocktail. I think the smaller group allowed by Covid protocols actually works to everyone's advantage, permitting a smaller class. Everyone was masked throughout, except when actively eating or drinking, the stations were a good distance apart. So thankful to be able to get out enjoy a fun date night! read more

Amazing. This blew my expectations out of the water. Chef Paul was absolutely amazing and had so much knowledge. The meal we created was delicious and we had fantastic wine pairings! I would recommend this for any date nights, outings with friends or a family activity. The cooking was educational and then enjoying the meal that was restaurant quality. Thank you, Chef Paul! read more

My daughter and I attended Knife Skills with Chef Kelly Sears and it was a wonderful experience! We realized how much we didn't know about proper knife skills and learned so much from Kelly. The entire staff at Marcels is always friendly, helpful and so knowledgeable. Don't miss their wine/cheese store next door for charcuterie plates at Marche! We routinely get a cheese board and bottle of wine to go! read more

Brandy was great. She presented delicious recipes that could realistically be done at home. We will definitely be making them in our own kitchen. She makes the class fun too! I will definitely return for her classes. Love the store too! read more

Crisis averted! With my wedding fast approaching and the air bnb that my parents were staying in not having the right size oven for the bottom tiers of my wedding cake that my mother was baking, we had a huge problem. Not having much available to us in the area, as we lived far away in the south suburbs of Chicago, we needed help, close by and fast. With the aid of Google and Yelp, I found Marcel's Culinary Experience. After speaking with Jill she offered her assistance wholeheartedly! We were allowed to use a spare commercial oven that she had in the cheese shop a few doors down. I wanted to publicly say to Jill and her wonderful staff, THANK YOU for everything! Jill operates her business with such a big heart, and definitely thinks about the prosperity of her local community! read more

Lovely store with unexpected fun mixed in with the high quality kitchen supplies. Smelled fabulous so I expect they host cooking lessons or parties, too (we were just in town for a few hours). read more

Absolutely outstanding experience with Maisons and Chef Paul! I never imagined that our home would be a five star resort/hotel, but that's what they created when Chef Paul and his team catered our special event. The impeccably prepared delicious food was matched by the gracious, attentive and courteous staff service. So many of our guests asked us about the catering and we were so glad and proud to tell them "Chef Paul and his team from Marcel's." Beforehand Chef Paul kept us informed of the process and what to expect as the time to the event drew closer. He always responded to every comment and question. Trust me, you will never find any caterer as remarkable as this. read more

I normally don't write reviews but I had to for Marcel's. I took a class with Chef Julie Szimon and it was absolutely amazing. She was a wonderful instructor. I learned, laughed and ate some fantastic dishes. What would make this even better, is if the store offered some better sales. read more

Walked past on the way to the Art Theatre with my parents. There were 6-8 people in the store, lights on, busy, totally appeared open. We walked in to kill time before the movie, and the lady working says "folks can I help you? We're closed. We closed at 6. We have been closed." In the most curt, rude, short tone. The doors were unlocked. If it's been closed since 6 lock the doors and show your customers out, or don't be as rude when would-be-customers walk in to give you your business. Honestly we were dumbfounded how rude this was. Disappointed read more

Lovely shop with wide assortment of tempting kitchen items. Friendly, helpful staff treat customers with genuine courtesy and care. Cooking classes are well-run, interesting and informative-- whether you're a novice or pro in the kitchen. Classes are a fun group activity for extended families or friend groups. read more

Shared a great evening cooking class with my husband Mike to celebrate his retirement along with our friends Teri and Joe. Chef Robin is a wonderful chef that makes you feel confident as you learn new cooking techniques. We learned to use cake flour in making homemade pasta and it made such a difference! The arugula salad was so refreshing. The main dish was a classic beef stroganoff with tender sirloin tips in a velvety mushroom sauce served over the homemade pasta we made as a class. We are excited to recreate this menu at home. Thank you Chef Robin! read more

Excellent experience! Chef Paul and his associates were amazing! Incredibly fun and informative evening! Surprise gift for my son's birthday! Will definitely return! Food was very creative and delicious! read more

This place is excellent. It is very quaint and extremely professional. We attended one of Chef Kelly's classes for kids and will be back for another. What a wonderful experience. We highly recommend Marcel's. read more

Marcel's is a true treasure. We have been shopping and attending culinary classes at Marcel's for about 15 months now, and it just keeps getting better all the time. As regards the retail goods side, Marcel's offers an extensive inventory of serving wares (linens, tableware, bowls, glassware, and the like)--my wife likes this side of Marcel's the best (she's a hostess type, not a cook). Marcel's also offers a range of consumable ingredients (oils, salts, mixes, etc.). Jill (the owner) and her staff have composed a wide range of high-quality, effective utensils and tools--from measuring cups to unique whisks to a ricer that outperforms any other that I have ever owned. Finally, they also offer a wide range of high-quality, name-brand cookware--All-Clad, Swiss Diamond, Emile Henry, USA Pans, and more. The prices are competitive at Marcel's. Yes, you might be able to buy a particular item for a couple of dollars less on line, but Marcel's has rejuvenated my appreciation for the brick and mortar experience. For example, I would have never looked at Swiss Diamond cookware if the staff at Marcel's was not--from personal experience--so enthusiastic about it. Now, it's the only brand I purchase for non-stick applications. The staff is experienced (many spent years at Williams Sonoma), unfailingly polite, and very customer-service oriented. And then there's the culinary education side of Marcel's--my favorite. We have attended many classes, and I can hardly wait for the next one (we're already signed up for seven upcoming courses in the remainder of the first quarter). The chefs are true professionals. They really take ownership of what they're delivering in the classes. They are without exception dedicated to making sure that you both learn and enjoy the class experience. Their objective seems to be demonstrating both skills and knowledge within a context of personally chosen recipes focused on a particular theme (check out the on-line calendar). I have learned so much from my attendance at these classes--both hands on and demonstration only. The classes have all been most enjoyable experiences. The chefs are tolerant of all levels of skills that you might bring to the class, from absolute beginner to advanced home cook, and they take any and all questions. To underscore just how good the classes are, my wife once took a class at a well-known, nationwide retail cookwares store. The instructor at that class opened with, "Well, these recipes all came from corporate, and I confess that I've never actually cooked them...." Understand that that could never, would never happen in a culinary class at Marcel's. I could go on and on, but I think by now you understand how highly I regard this establishment. read more

Myself and a group of 12 other ladies were here the other night for a bachlorette party. From beginning to end, Jill and her staff were so helpful and accommodating! We had dietary restrictions (vegetarians), personal preferences, and indecisive people, and Jill took everything with a grain of salt! I contacted her around March to set up this event, and told her that we would have about 13-14 people and we wanted to do a cooking class. Because we came just under their maximum for a hands-on class, we were golden! The bride is a big Mexican fan, so she got us connected with Chef Paul, who was extremely knowledgeable about Mexican cuisine. She sent us about 3 or 4 menus that Chef Paul had put together, but we could either take a menu as it was or mix and match. Because of all our different tastes, we decided to mix and match our meal. After we decided the meal, I found out that two in our party were vegetarians, and asked Jill if there was any way we could accommodate them (our main dish was chicken!). No problems...no extra cost...amazing! I did two payments (deposit was the first half of the payment, and final payment wasn't due until the day of), and I was able to pay in whatever form was easiest to me. The day of the event, the managers at the store were so nice! I showed up early with a few things to drop off, and they were willing to hold them in the back until we all arrived. They even had set up a few things for me! Chef Paul and his two assistants were so nice, helping with any questions we had, refilling our drinks (wine, tea, and water were included) and teaching very useful techniques for a home cook. Because we had a large menu (appetizer: cilantro lime cesar salad, main: chicken with basil cream, sides: mushroom risotto, vegetarian: polenta eggplant stack, dessert: panna cota with blueberry compote), we broke into teams, but I felt like we all got to either do or view the cooking of each dish. Included in our class ($80), was the food, the recipe packet with grocery list (extremely helpful!), the apron to keep, and 10% off our purchases that day The girls and I have taken quite a few cooking classes in both the city and suburbs, and this one is up there on the list of classes to try! read more

I just adore that this independently owned culinary shop has opened in the western suburbs. They have a real vast and interesting collection of products. Frankly I'd rather buy my tart pan and Moka pot from these ladies then the crew at WilliamsSonoma. They have cooking competitions...how fun is that?!? I'm a freak in the kitchen- hard to convince that I need a gadget to do a knife's work but there's plenty of things here that serve a purpose and you'll have forever. My big dilemma right now-Do I need a ricer?!? Lip chew commence! read more

took a class there and it was really fun. definitely geared for novice cooks, but still enjoyable for people with experience. friendly staff, beautiful equipment. i will probably do my birthday party there. it's also a really nice kitchen / dining goods store. read more

I am a frequent customer of Marcel's. I live this independently owned shop in Glen Ellyn. It is a bit like Sur la Table/ Williams Sonoma in terms of quality and types of items but there is a commitment to carrying unique regional items that you will not likely find elsewhere. I have taken cooking classes and my 15 year old loves the teen classes. I consider myself an accomplished cook/baker and have been surprised by the tidbits I haven learned in every class. LOVE that Marcel's is open on Sunday afternoons and has triggered some of the other shops to follow suit. read more

This store combines the beautiful with the practical. I found an array of cooking tools, as well as unusual glassware and serving dishes that will add a touch of class to any kitchen. I'd been looking for a pepper grinder for a while, with no luck. With the help of Jill, the proprietor, I was able to select from dozens of models, from electric to mini-units to brightly colored grinders. Something for everyone. From the helpfulness of the staff to the special way your purchase is wrapped, Marcel's makes all things cooking, fun. read more

Attended the Dinner at Home demonstration with Jean Marie Bronson on Saturday Feb. 22, 2016. An amazing class with excellent cooking tips, ideas, planning and yes sampling delicious easy to prepare food. The event also included a book signing by the author in collaboration with our local bookstore. Thankful that community businesses work together to make events happen. Marcel's staff is amazing, knowledgable, passionate about their product and very helpful. A wonderful place to be! read more

Another in a long line of educational, entertaining, and most importantly accessible cooking classes I've enjoyed over the years. Well worth a trip to downtown Glen Ellyn. read more

Came here with my group of coworkers( a group or 15) for a private event where we created our menu and went through as a team and built our meal. We had chef Kelly as the lead chef for our group and there were three women walking around constantly cleaning up our stations and making sure we had everything we needed- including refills on our beer, wine or drinks! The food we made was simply amazing, not to mention the fun we had making it. I loved every second of our experience and will definitely be back! read more

The culinary experiences at Marcel's are fabulous. If you're thinking about it, don't hesitate to sign up. Everyone from the chef to the sales staff are wonderful, welcoming and happy to have you there. We will keep coming back. read more

My 12 year old grandson and I enjoyed a great experience with chef Kiley. We both learned a lot. Chef Kiley was patient, knowledgeable and instructive. We will return. read more

This Demo cooking class was fun and entertaining. My only issue was that Chef Robin who had given us the recipes she was making that evening proceeded to deviate from them right from the beginning?! Both the recipes for cuban Congri and roast pork include cumin which is what gives these recipes their cuban flair. Chef Robin omitted to use cumin in both this dishes during her demonstration which resulted in diminished flavor of these two popular cuban dishes. read more

I bought my sister a cooking class at Marcel's for her birthday. We went yesterday and we absolutely LOVED it! Chef Paul was so helpful and knowledgeable, as was the rest of the staff. The kitchen work space was incredibly clean and well organized, definitely set up for student!s of all skill levels. The food we made was absolutely wonderful and there wasn't a lot of pressure. If you felt like you'd rather sit back and let the more enthusiastic students get their hands dirty, that was fine. If you wanted to jump in for prep or cooking, you were absolutely encouraged to do so! The store itself had a wonderful assortment of products. My sister loved the idea of the class so much that she was researching other classes we could do on the way to our class! We will definitely be back. What a wonderful experience! read more

Marcels' professional gourmet experience is the best ever! We just attended award winning Chef Paul Kahan's cooking demonstration, and we were treated to learning Paul's techniques while feasting on the deliciousness of Pelican chicken; citrus roasted beets; shaved fennel, shaved raw brussel sprouts, pea shoots and avocado salad...drizzled with the most wonderful dressing. Feel the love, folks! Marcel's owner, Jill, and her professional team always have a warm welcome for everyone who walks through Marcel's door. I truly appreciate the fine attention to every detail, including their vast selection of high end cookware and beautiful serving pieces. Every class I have attended has been informative and I have learned so much, and this one was no exception. read more