Ranjana is a talented chef, teacher, and friend. In her kitchen, you will learn more than authentic Indian cooking, you will be affected by her humor, her hospitality, and inspired by her humanity. Do yourself a favor and sign up. You won't regret it. read more

Ranjana was awesome! She was so welcoming and made me feel as though I was in the kitchen with my mom. The knowledge of authentic Indian cuisine I attained was absolutely priceless. The food was spectacular, The ingredients were fresh, and the instruction was impeccable! I will definitely be taking more classes in the future. Thanks so much! read more

I've never written a review on Yelp in my life, but the occasion most definitely calls for it, so here goes: Last night, Boyfriend and I took Ranjana's Basic North Indian cooking class at her home in Jackson Park. Aside from being incredibly accomplished (not just in the preparation of Indian cuisine), Ranjana is welcoming, patient, and determined to have everyone get their hands in the dishes - literally and figuratively. She will call you out if you've shied away from making anything. At the end of the night, I was full of food, skills, and recipes; you will not leave hungry. All-in-all, I believe we made about 11 items: chai, samosa, garam masala (spice blend), aloo ghobi, eggplant, raita, roti, both tamarind and coriander chutneys, paneer, and halwa. It is a fantastic value and with a doubt one of my most memorable experiences in Chicago. Just go. read more

Simply awesome! Convinced a couple of buddies to purchase this class as Valentine's Day gifts for our wives. What a great experience. I saw online that I had two highly rated options for classes. This one was further for us, and we would have to leave early on a Saturday morning, but I went with it because I saw it was in her home and thought we'd get a more personal experience. I was not disappointed. When Ranjana found out we were travelling so far, she pushed the start time so we could sleep in a little. We were immediately greeted by her and her husband when we pulled up to the house. We sat and chatted with her husband while she finished last minute preparations in the kitchen. During introductions with her, she found out what our favorite Indian dishes were, and added those to the menu on the spot! We cooked and exchanged stories for about 5 hours, even though we were scheduled for 3. She is an amazing person with great stories and a wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend this class for anyone looking to learn about Indian or vegetarian cooking. We may take another one! read more

Ranjana's Indian Cooking Classes - The couples from Rockford/Elgin. We had a wonderful time with Ranjana and her husband! - Cooking Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is the best cooking class I have ever been to. Ranjana is welcoming and informative. If you don't have the type of spice at home she tells you what you can sub it for. Not pretentious at all! My husband and I had a lovely time and I will be back for her South Indian class! You really get a lot for your money!!! read more

My boyfriend got us this class for Christmas. We got a single private class for the two of us. It was the best cooking class that I've ever been to. It was so much better than the classes at stores like The Chopping Block and other such places. The class took place in her home. Her kitchen setup was perfect for teaching a cooking class. Everything was orderly and spotless. It was our first formal class in Indian cooking. We felt like she gave us a very good foundation to build upon. The class, including eating the meal, took about 4 hours. We learned to make masala chai, paneer, kachori, daal, coriander chutney, imli chutney, aloo gobi, aloo, chole, roti, and kulfi. I will definitely go back for another class once I get some practice making the dishes I've learned so far. read more

Was taken here for a surprise Christmas present and felt whatever the opposite of disappointed is. She is a wonderful cook, a wonderful teacher, and a wonderful person to talk to. We took the basic northern Indian cooking class, and in the few hours we were there experienced 16 different wonderful dishes and recipes, many of which were quite doable as quick, useable recipes at home. And, for the harder stuff there's the ensemble of recipes she gives you to take home with. And on top of all her expert guidance, she's a fascinating person to talk to with her incredible background helping others. Great course, great time spent, would recommend! read more

This is a must-do for anyone who likes Indian food (or just learning new things). In preparation to meet my boyfriend's parents (who are coming in from South India), I decided to sign up for the Basic South Indian class. Long story short, there was a slight mix-up and Ranjana had been preparing to teach a North Indian class that evening. Instead of just going forward with one of the classes, she basically taught two classes in one, and we learned 18 dishes from both North and South India. She went through a ton of extra trouble just because it was so important to her to honor her promise to teach South Indian for me. This was a really fun, informative, and delicious experience. Highly recommended. read more

Had a wonderful time learning about the foods and spices of India from Ranjana's cooking class. Add a pinch of history- stir in a little philosophy- mix with aromatics and combine carefully with colors and amazing tastes and finish off with kindness. Loved having a cooking class in a home- very comforting environment to learn. Would highly recommend this! Thank you Ranjana! read more

I don't want to needlessly repeat the enthusiastic reviews below, and their accurate details about Ranjana's warmth, enthusiasm, grace and storytelling, as well as the intimate setting of cooking in her own home kitchen. So I'll just add another five-star recommendation for her cooking class as a wonderful, educational and delicious gift experience for anyone interested in cooking and Indian culture and cuisine. Please support Ranjana and take her classes! I know I will return for another before I leave Chicago! read more

I like to think that I take advantage of a lot that Chicago has to offer in terms of taking classes to further expand my knowledge of cooking, crafting, and any number of other random activities that are fun to explore (and Chicago's got a ton) ... but I have to say, hands down, whoa this cooking class was one of the best experiences i've had! If you've never known the joy of frying up your own samosas made from scratch, witnessing a chapati puff up like magic over an open flame, or seeing a bushel of cilantro transformed into that deliciously tangy green sauce they put on your table at your local indian food joint ... then i highly recommend you take this class. Heck, even if you've experienced these things before, take the class anyway, because it's an opportunity to learn so much more than the mechanics of Indian cooking. I took the Basic North Indian class, and let's just say that I came out with my head as full of information and wonder as my stomach was full of samosas. Ranjana, the teacher who holds this class in her kitchen down in Hyde Park, is really the element that made this experience so memorable. She goes beyond just explaining the ingredients -- which she does a great job of, and includes a handy take-home recipe pamphlet with some information on the foundational spices and balance of flavors of indian cooking. Her manner in the kitchen is so casual, so comfortable and inviting that it seems less like a cooking class and more like an informal gathering of friends all there to talk about food and life in Chicago, with little tidbits about Indian culture thrown in the mix. It's hard to explain, but I just walked out of there with a glow.... But don't get me wrong -- cook you will! Samosas, okra, eggplant, daal, chai tea, chutneys, just to name a few. And you will learn not only what to do, but why you do it a certain way, how to do it at home, and why you use a certain mix of spices. Ranjana is full of information and little tricks on technique. And then you will eat. And you will go home happy knowing that you've learned some really useful skills, met some great people, and are no longer reliant on your favorite neighborhood Indian restaurant to provide you with fresh, healthy, tasty meals. Since taking the class I've made six of the ten dishes and am happy to report that there was no magic involved, and that the recipes are truly repeatable ( and delicious ). read more

Such a cool experience! I love Indian food and I love cooking so my wife got me a cooking class with Ranjana for my birthday - I opted to take the "advanced north Indian" as I have some experience in the kitchen. This was so fun and I learned so much more than I ever imagined. We powered through a number of recipes but what I found most useful was the simple philosophy behind the cooking. She explained that the bases of Indian curries are much the same with variations from region to region ( I have never thought of it this way). Also that Indian food shares characteristics combining tart with salt with hot (red pepper). We used whole spices for the recipes which made a huge difference. I will definitely take another class in the future after I practice the many recipes that were provided in the printed out booklet she gave us. Highly recommend! read more

Ranjana's class in one of the best experiences I have had in Chicago. The class is insightful, cultural, and creative. It allows every attendee to explore both the simplicity and intricacies of Indian cooking. As a talented chef and teacher, Ranjana creates such a beautiful and comfortable space for learning that it is impossible to leave without a smile and fully belly read more

My friend and I traveled to India for over a month in early 2016. We were craving some Indian food and decided to take Ranjana's cooking class to learn how to cook some of our favorite meals ourselves. Ranjana, other than being exceptionally kind and patient, tailored the class to our needs and provided the "how's" and "why's" behind each dish. The foundation we learned could be applied to myriad of other dishes. This class is a must! I was amazed at how easy some of these dishes truly are, now that I know the key foundation ingredients and techniques. This was not a difficult class and would be well suited to any person, regardless of your proficiency in the kitchen. read more

We had the pleasure of having Ranjana bring her cooking class to my library in Calumet City, IL. It was a fantastic experience, needless to say. Not only was there demonstration and explanation of the philosophy in which Indian food is prepared, Ranjana also gave of herself, sharing her life experiences with the group. The food was flavorful and aromatic, in addition to being delicious. She prepared several authentic dishes for us that would be very easy to replicate at home. We would love to have her come back and prepare more dishes for us in order to round out our Indian cooking skills. I highly recommend her class and her food! read more

Ranjana's Indian Cooking Classes - Ranjana Bhargava and Keisha Hester at the Calumet City Public Library. - Cooking Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You get more than you expect with a cooking class with Ranjana in her fully equiped home kitchen. She is so knowledgeable and passionate about teaching Indian cooking, that even if you don't do much cooking, you will literally leave with dough on your hands. While Indian cooking can be daunting given the different spices and herbs used, Ranjana presented everyday dishes that I can see making on a weekly basis: homemade yogurt, to make cucumber raita; roti bread made on the fly; lentils or other legumes with a flavorful topping of savory butter or oil. I went with my family, who were visiting Chicago, and we had a great time, and to top it all off, her husband took professional quality photos for us as souvenir!! Wow, you can not beat this practical, informative, and fun experience. Well worth the price. read more

Ranjana is the most lovely woman. She was so kind to share her knowledge of Indian cooking and culture, with a dash of humor thrown in for flavor! I learned a great deal and would highly recommend her classes. read more

This was an amazing experience, and a huge amount of fun. WAY better than some corporate "kitchen" cooking lesson.

The flavors of Ranjana's kitchen do not come only from the many recipes she will teach you. You will also savor her memories of her mother's many bracelets jangling as she made paratha, of the shared labor of making pappadams for the town, and even of the diplomatic skills necesary for a young girl facing an arranged marriage. In short, you will learn many new aspects of taste which will stay on your palate a long time. Five stars for the cooking, five more for the stories, and five still more for her gracious and welcoming hospitality. Go. read more

This class is a once in a lifetime experience that you will not quickly forget. The superlative reviews that you read on the website still are not able to capture the amazing experience that you will have in her kitchen. We celebrated my wife's 50th birthday with Ranjana in her home with her family. Before the event, Ranjana emailed me almost daily for over a week ensuring that every last detail was addressed including what music we should have playing during the cooking class, what my wife's favorite colors were, and she had me send a copy of my wife's photo. We walked into a warm home filled with sights and sounds custom fitted for my wife with decorations, balloons, and birthday presents (even one from Ranjana). The personalized service was overwhelming even down to the menu having my wife's name emblazoned on the top along with the recipes and notes on how to make each dish. Our family travelled from Bermuda to Chicago specifically for one day to take this class, and the experience exceeded our highest expectations. By the end of the night, my wife was drenched in tears as we read personalized birthday messages that I had accumulated for her, again, including one from Ranjana that she read aloud. What I did not appreciate before I arrived is how adept and skillful Ranjana really is at cooking. My 83 year old aunt, who has made many of the dishes, was also present with us and marveled at her technique, her professionalism and creativity. Ranjana is extremely knowledge not only about Indian cooking, but about healthy eating in general. My aunt asked her about how to suppress tannins eluding from tea, the known health effects of specific foods such as ginger, alternative ingredients to use instead of what was in the recipes etc. Ranjana's answers were detailed and you had the distinct feeling that she could entertain you for hours with a lecture on each item. I have many Indian colleagues and friends who have cooked for me, but listening and watching Ranjana is just simply several notches higher than the norm. A pertinent analogy is that it is akin to playing a favorite sport with a consummate professional. We bonded over the first item that she taught, chai, which then she served with a hot mango Indian cheesecake appetizer. The teaching was nonstop for 3 hours and the conversation was captivating and fluid. We shared stories, cooked and sampled all around her stove, Then we retired to the dining room with her family to a magically delicious feast complete with sweets at the end. This is as good as it gets. I cannot imagine how a restaurant or any other establishment could possibly provide a better experience. Now we see how Indian restaurants can cut corners with ingredients and add "fillers". I have visited India and eaten at very expensive restaurants there. I have never tasted anything as fresh, as wholesome and with such subtle respect for spices and blends as Ranjana's cuisine. We will make this an annual pilgrimage from Bermuda and beyond for this wonderful class. MB read more

This class was terrific. Ranjana does a great job explaining the cooking methods and the various spices. She was also responsive to our requests to cook certain dishes. The meal was delicious, we learned a lot, and got to keep the recipes. It was a great birthday gift for our friend, who is a vegetarian and loves to cook. read more

My best friend and I took two classes and had a fantastic experience! Ranjana and her husband are lovely and we learned so much about Indian food and culture. I will be back to take the advanced course for sure! We made several dishes in addition to the 9 planned ones. We had left over things here and there and Ranjana would whip up a treat with it in a few minutes. read more

I really liked this class a lot & took the n. indian beginner one. Super tasty food and recipes along w/ helpful tips (like how to not splatter the hot oil, how to make sure the okra isn't slimy, how to combine certain ingredients at different times, etc. ). It felt like you were being welcomed into the home of a friend or family member and was really chill and comfortable. We had a small group with everyone laughing together, eating together, telling stories, and giving each other a hard time. It's a class that would be fun to go to alone or w/ a significant other (I happened to be with mine). I also appreciated Ranjana's attention to detail but also flexibility in her cooking -- I feel like cooking classes and recipes can feel overwhelming sometimes w/ everything needing to be exact and precise -- with Ranajana there were more a set of principles to follow, but creativity within those principles so it felt like you could create something like the dishes at home, even if you didn't have all of the exact ingredients. Yay! :) read more

A wonderful class! Started with a lovely conversation with Ranjana's husband and the hospitality kept going from there. Ranjana made us delicious chai tea and then we discussed spices and then we got to work! It was the best vegetarian food I've ever had and I loved hearing about Ranjana's life and how her life affects her cooking and vice versa. The Jackson Highlands neighborhood is worth the trip and Ranjana puts you spiritually and nutrionally in a great place. Loved it. read more

This is the first time I am writing review. I just need to give feedback, because I have never been so impressed! We took class today and it was absolutely unforgettable experience. My husband and I were able to actually learn and make very tasty, healthy, and full of flavor Indian food! Ranjana has amazing personality and she is also a master chief! She shared magic of professional, artful cooking, had everyone busy doing different recipes, managed to tell inspiring stories about Indian culture that left very profound impression and strengthen my affection to the Indian food and culture and all of these at the same time! She made it so easy to follow and repeated important parts often that made it easy to remember, especially with recipes prints on hand and my very detailed notes that I proudly made along the way! We made about 15 delicious recipes in three hours and tasted all of them! I cannot wait for the next class to come! read more

Ranjana is so sweet and easy going. She makes you feel so welcome in her home while showing you how truly easy Indian Cooking can be. Once she shows you the basics you will feel confident enough to go home and cook for your family and friends. Consider making it a group event too, bring your friends and have a fabulous time!!! read more

We took our second lesson from Ranjana last night, and I must say that it was equally as informative and enjoyable as our first. She is an excellent teacher. The lessons are all hands on, and she is able to switch things up on the fly. So, if you are talking about a particular dish, she simple states -- would you like to make that? and magically she has the ingredients and you are on your way. The fact that these are done in her home, creates a level of hospitality and intimacy that is unsurpassed. You leave with a complete set of the recipes, so you can continue learning at home. read more

What a lovely way to spend a day. Ranjana is a gentle woman who can really cook! She loves it. That is very obvious, plus she wants to share that love and knowledge with you. And that she did. I learned so much in three short (and very delicious) hours. I have always enjoyed Indian cuisine, but I admit to a lot of ignorance. I can now not only order with much more confidence, I feel I can create some dishes on my own. I was impressed with the experience and wouldn't mind going back for more, with some more friends, too! Her home is easy to find. Parking is a breeze. She provides everything. What's not to like!? read more

My co-workers and I took a private cooking lesson with Ranjana as part of a staff bonding day, and we could not have been more happy with the experience. Ranjana (and her family) were so warm, welcoming and gracious, not to mention extremely knowledgeable. Ranjana was patient and such a great storyteller throughout the day. What a treat! read more

My husband and I took Ranjana's Indian vegetarian cooking class this summer. She made us feel right at home in her kitchen! After donning our aprons, Ranjana explained how to make a delicious chai. We enjoyed a cup of tea as we started cooking. Ranjana identified each of the commonly used spices in Indian cooking and demonstrated how to make samosas. After her demo, we had a chance to make our own samosas followed by several more fantastic dishes. By the end of the class, we had a wonderful collection of recipes from daal to cucumber raita to spicy chutneys and own new set of Indian spices that were available for purchase. Before leaving, Ranjana gave us a tour of her garden and offered us tips on how to cook various vegetables that we've received in our CSA box (never knew what to do with kohlrabi). We highly recommend Ranjana's cooking classes. You'll learn a lot not only about Indian cuisine but also about Indian culture and Ranjana's personal story. Enjoy! read more

I am an attorney in New York City. I took Ranjana's class with my son, who is a junior in High School. We both had a fabulous time. We both love indian food. I am a vegetarian, but my son is not. We learned not to be afraid of cooking indian food and where precision is required, and where it is not. We made some of the recipes at home, and while they did not taste exactly the same as in class, they were delicious and blew away the rest of our family. I do not like bananas, but Ranjana put them in the Chutney. When she heard I did not like bananas, she told me she could have used pears. But I loved the chutney anyway and made it with bananas at home. So Ranjana opened up a whole world to me. My son was totally satisfied with eating a vegetarian meal, when it was so full of variety and taste and better than our favorite indian restaurant.in New York. This cooking class will live on in our family history as a terrific event that keeps giving as we experiment with more indian dishes. I wish we had the equivalent in New York. But there is no indian cooking class at such a high level of skill and personal warmth to be had in New York. Chicago....take advantage and go to this class! read more