The Social Table is a cooking experience unlike anything else in the city. The space was an older home that has been converted into a commercial kitchen and dining space -- it feels warm, inviting, and has a charm to it that most other classrooms are missing. My husband and I landed on the "Thanksgiving Feast" menu to get us prepped and excited for the upcoming holidays. Our instructor, Stephanie, was wonderful! Took the time to explain technique and the "why" behind what we were doing, whereas, other classes are just running through a recipe. The format of these classes was really unique too. Instead of breaking off into smaller groups to cook individual meals, you work together as a class to cook a single meal. Once everything is all said and done, you sit down family-style and dig in! Needless to say, we had an incredible time, and are planning on incorporating some of the recipes into our own Thanksgiving tradition! read more

We bought a gift certificate for an open class before Covid and they canceled all open classes once they reopened. We were not able to return for a refund. read more

Excellent evening! We came here on a date (and the where and what were surprises to me). Chef Dom was warm and welcoming, in addition to being professional and fun. We started out with some hummus and crostini. We were glad to have snacks since it was about an hour and a half until we sat down to eat. By the way, you can bring your own wine! They have nice glasses and a wine opener to us. The also sell some; the Cab we had was only $20 and was quite good. There were only 5 of us, plus chef. It was great since we all got to do more and hear better than with a normal larger group. Our Southern menu consisted of collard greens with pancetta, skillet jalapeno-cheddar cornbread, mustard potatoes with onions, and the most amazing flank steak + tomato chutney. Seriously, I'm still mentally drooling over this chutney! I can't wait to make it again! For dessert, lemon curd mousse. Delicious It was really nice to have our actual meal at a dinner table that was thoughtfully decorated and put together (versus in the kitchen around the stainless steel). We really had an amazing night and loved learning some new skills, recipes, and flavors. Looking forward to going back for a different menu! read more

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The Social Table is not your typical cooking school...and that is a good thing! Located in a 2 story home on Armitage, this location offers a unique way to spend the night and hone your cooking skills. It was a little difficult to get a reservation nailed down, but once we arrived we enjoyed a unique experience that I cannot wait to do again. We signed up for a Valentine's Day Steak Dinner course. I the fact that it wasn't a straight up cooking lesson - the instructor was more orchestrating a group of friends cooking a dinner party. I picked up a few good tips, but more importantly had a fun night and great food. Dominick was our guide through the whole experience and was a genuinely nice guy. He took time to explain everything, but also to spur conversation among a group of 10 strangers and keep everything fun. He reminded me of Chris Pratt (when he was on The Office) - just an overall great guy. It doesn't hurt that he has worked in some of Chicago's top kitchens either, yet doesn't act like a pompous blowhard. Price was around $200 per couple which seemed a bit high, but was completely worth it. We cooked steak, crab cakes, beet salad and a flour-less chocolate cake. There was tons of food and everyone really enjoyed the selections. It is BYOB so plan to bring your own drinks as only water is available. This is a great place for date night, bachelorette parties, team building events and a myriad of other occasions. I highly recommend checking this place out! read more

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I had heard about The Social Table through a friend and decided to give my dad a gift certificate for a Christmas gift. As it was our first cooking class I was more than impressed with The Social Table. The set up was cozy and intimate for a small crowd and everyone was able to participate in cooking the different meal items. You were able to get right behind the person making the food and enjoy. At the end the whole group gathers around a large dinning room table and enjoys the meal you made. Plus side is you can BYOB or buy wine and beer there! read more

The Social Table - Before we started cooking - Cooking Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very enjoyable evening of Provencal cooking and dining. This was our first visit to The Social Table and we left very pleased with the experience. (Thank you to Ian our chef) I really enjoyed the knife tips and we all left with all of our digits intact. The French meal was great and as always in these kinds of events. it's the people you are surrounded by that make the evening. We were surrounded by genuinely nice and interesting couples and that made for great conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. We will be back for the Italian cooking event soon. Will and Verushka. read more

The Social Table - *Chicken Provençal with Artichokes & Tomatoes - Cooking Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We celebrated my wife's birthday with a surprise birthday party. Had my family and some close friends attend. It was a fantastic time. So much fun and very interesting to watch and participate in. Our meal was fantastic. It great to help prepare a meal of such quality. This was our second visit to The Social Table and I would most definitely go back. They do a great job of "misleading" my wife as to what was going on. It definitely was a great evening. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. read more

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This place is an adorable spot for a unique date night. Which is funny, because I actually came here with my best friend, and we were the ONLY two people in there who did not come with our significant other. So, if that bothers you, then I wouldn't come here with friends. We still had a blast, and talked to most of the people in the class. But, it definitely had a very date-y vibe. The class is really fun and interactive. You don't get to cook all aspects of the meal you are making, but everyone contributes in some way. You learn some cool techniques, but if you are looking for a true cooking class where you actually cook everythiing yourself, this is not it. I still thought it was a fun experience. At the end, everyone sits together and shares the meal you made. This spot is BYOB, which is pretty nice. But, at $70-$80 per person, it is pretty expensive. read more

The Social Table - Cooking Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our chef Ian at the Social Table made a bachelorette brunch fun and delicious! Cooking 5 dishes amongst 10 women and sitting down for a nice meal within 3 hours was no small feat. So many menu options, but we landed on: eggs Benedict with fresh made English muffins, Dijon-maple bacon, chorizo hash, a beautiful beet and goat cheese salad, finishing with a pumpkin bread pudding that was perfect for fall. We were stuffed! Such an affordable price point that included a couple of bottles of champagne included and all the instruction and cooking tips. Ian helped us with knife skills, where to try and buy cookware and even tips for cleaning do's and don'ts. So much fun! Highly reco read more

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I wanted to organize a special cooking class for my birthday party; I saw fantastic reviews for The Social Table, and I am definitely glad I chose them for my party! Eleanore was fantastic in ensuring all the non-food logistics were taken care of well in advance of the party, and Rebecca was extremely helpful in developing the menu. I wanted to have an all vegetarian menu, and Rebecca was able to help me put together a menu full of delicious flavors and different skills. What's more, the setting really felt like a home. We cooked in the kitchen, but there was a beautifully set table for us to enjoy all the food we made. If you are looking for a place that has talented/patient chefs, a broad menu, and a BYOB place, look no further than The Social Table! It is really convenient via public transportation, and truly, everyone was so friendly. This is a birthday I soon will not forget! read more

Be very wary of spending money with this company. They refuse to issue refunds despite choosing to eliminate the in-person cooking experience - even after COVID requirements have ended - instead proposing that an online experience is of equal value. They responded to a request for refund with random excuses and arbitrarily created business policies. Very sketchy, questionable business. read more

Five star rating is well deserved! Attended a bridal shower brunch cooking class today and everything was perfect. The house and decor are amazing, the space is warm and welcoming, and Chef LouIs was friendly and engaging with just the perfect personality for our boisterous group. I came away with so much knowledge that I'll be able to apply to daily cooking tasks. I learned a LOT more than I expected to, and at the end, we all got to sit down around a beautifully appointed table and enjoy the meal together. The whole experience is a steal for the price. I would absolutely come back for another cooking class here in a hot minute. Highly recommended. read more

We did a small office party private cooking experience. We had about 10 people in total. From the moment we arrived we felt welcomed and at home. The moment you walk in the door you feel like your walking into a friends home...A very nice home kitchen and dining room. Ian welcomed us and educated us, while giving each of us time to chat and hangout but keeping us involved the whole time. The experience culminated in a dinner that was so enjoyable and again felt like we were dining in a friends home. I would definitely come back and spend another evening. Thank you Ian and S.T.! read more

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Last evening I had a most wonderful time! I have been to a few cooking classes but this hands down was the BEST! Chef Lou was amazing, excellent at teaching without making us feel like we didn't know what we were doing! We all worked, laughed and ate one of the most delicious meals I've had. Chef Lou set the tone and made us comfortable and talkative. Can't wait to return!! read more

Celebrated my 60th birthday with my family & it was Fantastic! Our chef Sarah made the day very memorable & the food we prepared was incredibly good. I will definitely do this again with a group of friends....so much fun! Thanks Sarah read more

Where's the 6 star option? Every part of the experience was great: the location, the unreal kitchens, BECCA, the instructing, the laid-back attitude, and of course the food. Only try The Social Table if you're ready for a new hobby because you won't be able to stop at just one experience. read more

These guys deliver such a fun fantastic evening! We spent a night here last week and our group of 10 prepared a rustic french menu under the direction of head chef Becca. She guided us through previously intimidating dishes like goat cheese souffle and chicken provencal, making sure everybody got to have whatever level of "hands-on" they wanted, keeping everyone involved while making sure the food was going to come out tasting amazing! We had such an awesome time and an incredible meal. I am totally going to make that chicken provencal at home! And its BYOB! There is no better way to learn new techniques in the kitchen while socializing with a group. And did I mention how delicious everything was? We can't wait to come back. read more

One word to describe it all: fantastic!! 3 of us gals had a wonderful time and experience at The Social Table cooking a delicious Italian dinner from scratch. Rebecca was an awesome teacher with such a fun, bubbly personality. It's BYOB so grab some wino, friends, sig-Os, family, whoever you can scramble up and take a class, you'll be pleased you did and leave with some great cooking tips and a full belly! read more

The Social Table - Ready to start cooking!! - Cooking Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had such a fun night here! We were a total of 8 people, friends and strangers (that soon became new friends!) and Becca, the chef and teacher. Her enthusiasm and warmth immediately made everyone feel comfortable and excited to pick up some new cooking skills. From learning how to cut veggies the correct way to making the best succotash and grilled chicken I ever had and from drinking the wine we brought while cooking great food to a sit down dinner that included many laughs. Highly recommend for team events, being new to the city and meeting cool people, novice cooks and anyone that wants to have a great time! read more

Becca & her Social Table team have certainly changed the culinary game in Chicago! If your looking for a fun night out with friends or looking to meet fellow foodies, get yourself to The Social Table! You truly feel like you having dinner in a friend's quaint townhouse vs. a stuffy traditional, commercial teaching kitchen. As far as the food goes, the goat cheese soufflés and the wok-fried croutons are some of the most delicious things you might ever taste. With great tasting food, good company and lots of laughs, this is a surely a night to remember. Plus, its BYOB, so grab a bottle, pop a bottle and belly up to The Social Table! read more

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After researching a few "cooking class" options, I knew the Social Table would be the perfect fit for my birthday dinner. The venue is absolutely adorable - lots of attention to detail making it feel like a home, with the bonus of not having to do the dishes! Every aspect of the evening was so well planned from start to finish, and while never feeling like we were on a clock, the timing worked perfectly for socializing, cooking, then eating and relaxing and winding down the evening. We had varying levels of cooking skills with our group, and each person could contribute as much or as little as they wanted. We designed our own southern-inspired menu with the help of Chef Rebecca and the food was absolutely delicious! Seriously, everything was phenomenal. Every single person in our group followed up with me afterwards saying how much fun they had, how much they enjoyed the evening, and they wondered why they waited so long to try it! I can't wait to go back and check out some more of the cooking classes; we did opt for a private party because of the size of our group but I can only imagine how much fun the other group classes are! (Group info - private party, 18 participants, all women between 30 and 40) read more

Becca is a rockstar. She took me from cooking Easy Mac to cooking Mack Daddy in a couple hours. Beyond that, the class was more like a night at a friend's house than a set curriculum. That is, if my friend had the most tricked out kitchen I had ever seen and lived in Lincoln Park. Go here. Eat. Drink and take a date. They will be impressed and you will be deliciously full. And it's BYOB! read more

Seriously this place was so fund and the food was amazing. I came here for a work team event and it was perfect. The chefs there are really good at engaging you in the process as well as knowing when to let you all be. Its BYOB but you can buy wine there as well. We did a little of both and everything was extremely reasonable. Like I said we showed up with 15 people for work and had a bit of a Thanksgiving theme. We arrived with several bottles of wine that were empty before dinner so we bought a few bottles from them and they didn't cost an arm and a leg! You also get to customize your meal to your group, they even give you the recipes for the dishes afterwards! I think the best part of the experience was the chef helping us out. He made it very informational and interesting in the beginning and had us all chopping and peeling and involved. After that we would break off into side conversations and tasks. The chef had the perfect balance of letting us do our own thing but still making us be a part of the process. I would highly recommend this for any work or social gathering. It was such a fun experience, I cannot wait to go back. read more

I visited The Social Table last week with a few friends and had an awesome time! It's a great concept -- an interactive, BYO cooking class in an intimate setting, with a wonderfully charismatic chef. Becca's menus are creative, but accessible; I would never have come up with those recipes (mashed broccoli with jalapeno!) on my own, but I would feel confident recreating any of our dishes at home. And one of the cooler aspects of the Social Table is that the number of guests in your party is limited, which facilitates a meet-and-greet atmosphere. I was a little wary of that part at first, but actually had a great time getting to know the other people around the table and sitting down at the end of the class to enjoy the fruits of our labor together. I'm relatively new to Chicago, and it was one of the first times that it felt like a community (rather than an overwhelming city) to me. The price may seem a bit daunting, but you're getting a great meal, an impressive repertoire of recipes to bust out at future dinner parties or date nights, a lesson in knife skills and culinary techniques (ask her to show you the parsley haircut), and a few hours of entertainment around a table with new friends. Well worth it. read more

Went to Social Table on a Friday night with a group of 12 friends. Had a fantastic time and learned a couple of cooking "protips" that I am able to leverage right away (e.g., chopping an onion more effectively and cooking crispy chicken properly). Also, love that its BYOB. I think one of the key attractions of Social Table is the class size. It felt like I was cooking with friends...just that one of the friends really knew what to do (i.e. Chef Rebecca). Thanks for the great evening Chef Rebecca! read more

My friends chose The Social Table for my bachelorette weekend, and we could not have been happier with our experience! Dom was a WONDERFUL host and did a fantastic job of explaining how things worked, teaching us some basic knife skills, and involving everyone in the activities without it feeling forced. After just a little while, I almost forgot that I was in someone else's kitchen (other than the fact that it was MUCH cleaner than my kitchen could ever hope to be). It was so relaxing and engaging at the same time. Everyone had a job to do at all times, but we were still able to take things at our own pace and enjoy some wine and each other's company. They selected the Spanish menu, so we enjoyed a spinach and goat cheese tart, proscuitto wrapped dates, shaved brussel sprout and asparagus salad and churros with orange chocolate sauce. Everything was absolutely delicious, so I was thrilled that they sent over all of the recipes afterwards. It was a truly special experience to make and enjoy a meal with all of the most important women in my life. It was also nice that Dom joined us for dinner, as we all really enjoyed getting to know him during the course of the cook. I would highly recommend The Social Table to anyone looking for a great way to spend an evening with loved ones. read more

We use to be big fans of Social Table and have done the in-person classes they provided multiple times. I received a gift certificate in Christmas 2019 and scheduled our class for April 2020 (which was the earliest they had available). The class was canceled due to COVID and they have yet to resume in-person classes. We have since moved away from Chicago and have asked for a refund on our gift certificate (no where on their website or the gift certificate does it say it is not refundable) and they refuse to provide a refund stating that they are offering virtual classes (an inferior service as to what we originally purchased). In addition, they refuse to answer the phone or respond to any additional emails we have sent inquiring about a refund. read more

I cannot tell you how much fun we had! Rachel, our chef was knowledgeable, entertaining and really made the event. Our group was 3 couples and the men participated and actually did most of the cooking. I highly recommend the social table for any event. I was very impressed. I cannot wait to go back! read more

The Social Table - Cooking Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I cannot say enough good things about this place. From start to finish they were professional, friendly and fun! We were here for a bachelorette party. The booking was easy, the menu selection was amazing and Chef Ian was the perfect combination of professional and fun. He did a great job of keeping us on track while not distracting from our celebration. As a bonus, this place is BYOB. A perfect spot for any social gathering. I will be finding an excuse to come back, maybe a few. read more

Went last night for the "Simple Italian" cooking class and it was a blast!! Our chef was amazing and so funny, and really made the experience memorable. I learned quite a few things and really found the knife tips helpful. We will definitely be back to take another class! read more

We went to The Social Table last night and just had one of the best experiences ever! Becca is an absolutely amazing person and I was impressed how everything just came together. We started off learning how to chop different ingredients (seriously the onion trick will be used for the rest of my cooking days) then went into prepping dressings and desserts, while the protein was cooking. At the end, we all sat down together and ate what we made. It is byob, but they do have bottles for sale! I cant express enough of how much of a great time we had here, we drank wine, learned to cook a new recipe, we met wonderful people, and we walked away happy . The reviews on here are 100% right, I can't wait to try another class at The Social Table! Give this place a try and you won't be disappointed! read more

The Social Table - Our first time and it won't be our last! - Cooking Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went solo and had a great time. Great food. Great people. I brought two bottles to share. Chef Dom is way more calm than he should be. Had a blast. Will definitely do this again. read more

My husband and I had the opportunity of taking a class with Rebecca and it was everything we wanted from a social cooking class. The space is immaculate and pristine without being pretentious, nestled in one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago. Rebecca is a wonderful chef and teacher. She provided excellent instruction without the "know-it-all" vibe that sometimes accompanies other cooking establishments in the city. She was also a blast to cook, drink, and hang out with! Could not have asked for a better personality to lead the room. Last, but certainly not least, the food was amazing! We have already used the "Loraine" potatoes recipe at our Labor Day BBQ. Everything came out so well it was hard to imagine a group of strangers prepared the meal! If you love to cook and are looking to expand your repertoire, or just looking to spend an evening with friends or a date, The Social Table is the place to go. read more

So much fun!! We went to The Social Table with 3 other couples last week. Becca, our chef and instructor, was absolutely amazing!!! She walked us through a Simple Italian menu, everything was so delicious and (hopefully) something I will be able to replicate at home. Can't wait to come back with a group of girlfriends to try another menu. Great location, company, food and it's BYOB! read more

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This is such a great experience ! My daughters bought a reservation for the three of us as my Christmas present. Mike our chef was fantastic and it was really easy to mingle and get to know the other nine in our group. Food was fabulous and we made it! Please expand out to the western suburbs. You would be crazy busy! read more

Went to Social Table for a birthday celebration with a large group and had a wonderful time! I've walk by Social Table daily and never even knew what it was. The staff does a great job of making everyone feel involved while preparing the meal. We learned a lot and had fun while doing so. BYOB! I will definitely be going back again soon. read more

I went with a group of 10. Some of us love to cook and some of us love to socialize. You can do both here. It's an adorable place. It looks like a house from the outside and inside it's a great kitchen and dining space. Mike our chef was professional, knowledgeable and fun. He instructed us but never pressured us. We had a great meal and a ton of fun. Don't forget to bring the wine or whatever you like to drink! Get ready for some fun! read more

Just took Becca's Simple Italian class last week. The class was super fun and informative (and the food was delicious!!) Becca made sure to throw in cooking tips that everyone can use on an every day basis The food: Crispy pork Milanese (I've never made pork at home and was amazed at how easy and delicious it was) Asparagus with Prosciutto & Béchamel (cheese and bacon make any vegetable delicious...) Mustard Roasted Red Potatoes (So easy and so delicious) Individual Berry Crumbles (perfect desert to finish off the meal) Pretty much everything we made I will be making again as soon as possible. The atmosphere: Laid back, social, and super informative. Becca definitely gauged / adjusted for the group we had. We had a private event (so fun!) but I can definitely see how going with one or two people would be great too and a good place to meet people. A little less structured (in a good way) than Chopping Block. Becca's kitchen is all state of the art and fancy but also she pulls in great touches to make it seem homey and the location (Armitage and Halsted) is super convenient to get to. Overall: I would recommend 100%. Becca and her crew did an awesome job. Will definitely be back sooner rather than later :) read more

We had a private birthday party on a Saturday night at the Social Table that was incredible. Rachel was our chef / instructor. She was incredible and is also an extremely talented chef. Our menu was Tex/Mex everything was SO delicious. It was BYOB. Everyone got to contribute to the meal by chopping ingredients or actually helping to make the dishes, all while being able to drink and socialize making it feel like you are in your own home. The decor of the kitchen/ dining room is awesome. I would definitely recommend The Social Table to all my friends! What a great concept. Thank you so much Rachel for your talent and hospitality :) read more

A truly amazing place that I would strongly recommend. We were seeking a special experience for a birthday party and The Social Table exceeded our expectations. Our chef was Ian who did a great job as a chef teacher and our group of 8 had a wonderful dinner. read more