Collection: Date Night Cooking Classes in the Chicago Suburbs

Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Chef Clair Smith Presents:

9/22 Greek Island Tour (Hands On)

Transport your senses to the sun-soaked shores of Greece with an evening of hands-on cooking 

inspired by the flavors of the Greek Islands. Learn to craft fresh, Mediterranean-inspired dishes featuring vibrant ingredients like lemon, olive oil, oregano, and feta. From hummus to falafel, it is an evening to savor a taste of Greece, no passport required. 

On the menu:

Sun Dried Tomato Hummus with Crudite

Pan Fried Falafel Sliders with Tahini Sauce 

Quick Pickled Red Onions

Greek Fried Halloumi

Orange Olive Oil Cake with Honey Whipped Cream

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Thursday, September 17, 6:30 – 9:00 pm

Chef Robin Nathan Presents:

9/17 Last of Summer - Dinner Al Fresco (Hands On)

Savor the final golden days of summer with recipes to inspire effortless outdoor entertaining. Prepare a vibrant, seasonal menu that highlights late-summer produce at its peak - juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, stone fruit, fresh herbs, and simple proteins elevated with bold, bright flavors. Casual yet refined, this class captures the feeling of lingering evenings, warm breezes, and meals shared al fresco as the season slowly turns.

On the menu:

Fresh Lemonade & Beer Shandies

Mexican Style Shrimp Cocktail

Santa Margarita Spice Rubbed Tri Tip with Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette 

Romaine Heart, Plum and Pickled Red Onion Salad with Ciabatta Croutons

Southern Style Fruit Cobbler with Brown Sugar Vanilla Ice Cream

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Wednesday, September 16, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Chef Heather Ude Presents:

9/16 Family Class: Autumn Harvest (Hands On)

It’s family night in the Marcel’s kitchen for families with children aged 6 and over. Celebrate the warmth and abundance of fall in this hands-on family cooking class inspired by the season’s harvest from vine-ripe tomatoes to sweet stone fruits. Work side-by-side, transforming peak autumn ingredients into comforting, shareable dishes that bring everyone to the table. Autumn Harvest is all about gathering, cooking, and enjoying the best flavors of fall together, making memories that last far beyond the meal. Price is per person.

On the menu: 

Smoky Corn Fritters with Garlic Herb Aioli

Pan Roasted Lemon Chicken with Burst Tomatoes

Cheesy Orrechiette with Late Harvest Veggies

Stone Fruit and Blackberry Galette with Vanilla Mascarpone Cream

Price is Per Person. Wine and Beer included in class for adults.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Friday, September 25, 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Chef Robin Nathan Presents:

9/25 Chef’s Table: Cote d’Azur (Demonstration)

Transport yourself to the French Riviera in this chef-led culinary demonstration inspired by the effortless elegance of the Côte d’Azur. Known for its sun-drenched markets, coastal seafood, and vibrant Provençal flavors, this class celebrates the art of simple, seasonal Mediterranean cooking at its most refined. Enjoy a beautifully curated menu, featuring bright herbs, ripe summer vegetables, fresh seafood, olive oil, citrus, and the signature flavors of southern France. Gain insight into classic French techniques, wine pairing, and the foundations of Mediterranean cuisine. Throughout the demonstration, you’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions, offering direct access to professional tips, techniques and entertaining ideas. Breezy, elegant, and deeply seasonal, Côte d’Azur is a culinary escape to the French Riviera - where every dish tastes like summer by the sea.

On the menu: 

Rosemary and Lavender Infused Riviera Spritz Cocktail 

Mediterranean Cheese & Charcuterie

Socca with Zatar and Arugula Salad

Herb Crusted Lamb Chop Pops with Mint-Basil Pesto

Creamy Parmesan Polenta

Sautéed Pears with Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Wednesday September 2, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Chef Clair Smith Presents:

9/2 Coastal Summer (Hands On)

Capture the relaxed elegance of seaside dining in this hands-on class inspired by coastal summer flavors. Bright, fresh, and effortlessly refined, this class celebrates the kind of food meant to be enjoyed outdoors - preferably with a breeze, good company, and something chilled in your glass. Prepare a seasonal menu rooted in coastal ingredients like fresh seafood, citrus, herbs, and garden-grown produce. Learn approachable methods for cooking fish and shellfish, building vibrant sauces, and a perfect summer dessert. Fresh, breezy, and full of sunshine, coastal summer cooking is a celebration of simple luxury by the sea.

On the menu:

Tomatini Cocktail

Summer Green Salad with Crab Cake and Green Goddess Dressing

Lemon and Fresh Herbed Shrimp with Homemade Linguini

Summer Vegetable Succotash

Mixed Berry and Peach Galette 

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Thursday September 10, 6:30 – 9:00 pm

Chef Molly Sell Presents:

9/10 Fiesta de Verano Mexican (Hands On)

Fiesta de Verano brings together the warmth of tradition with the brightness of seasonal cooking for a menu that’s as colorful as it is delicious. Prepare classic Mexican techniques - layering smoky, spicy, citrusy, and herbaceous flavors in every bite. From handmade salsas and street-style favorites to grilled specialties and refreshing accompaniments, each recipe is designed for sharing and celebrating. Bold, joyful, and full of energy, this class is a summer celebration of Mexican cooking at its best.

On the menu: 

Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas

Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

Huevos Enfrijolados - Eggs on Spicy Black Beans

Spicy Classic Mexican Rice

Coconut Quatro Leches Cake

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Thursday September 3, 6:30 – 9:00 pm

Chef Brian Buchna Presents:

9/3 Date Night: Parisian Garden (Hands On)

Step into a sun-dappled Parisian garden, where simple ingredients and timeless technique come together in effortlessly elegant ways. Inspired by the charm of outdoor dining in France, Chef Brian celebrates fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables, and light, refined dishes that feel both rustic and sophisticated. Prepare a curated menu rooted in classic French flavors and learn essential techniques for balancing flavors, layering textures, and presenting dishes with understated elegance. Relaxed yet refined, it’s an invitation to slow down, savor, and cook the French way.

On the menu: 

St. Germain Cucumber Spritz Cocktail

Fresh Chevre and Herbed Tartine with Honeyed Fig and Micros

Traditional Ratatouille “Confit Byaldi” with Piperade

Salmon en Papillote - Steamed in Parchment with Citrus, Leeks and Vermouth

Lavender Infused Creme Brulee with Fresh Blackberry

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Saturday, September 12, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Chef Brian Buchna Presents:

9/12 Chef’s Table: Autumn Uncorked (Demonstration)

Join us for an evening of the perfect blend of live cooking, instruction, chef tips, and course by course service in our chef’s table demonstration class featuring Marche wines of the season. Highlighting fresh, locally inspired ingredients and refined seasonal techniques, each course is thoughtfully paired with a curated wine to elevate and enhance every bite. Engage with the chef, ask questions, and learn the stories behind the pairings in this chef-led journey.

On the menu: 

Amuse Bouche - Drunken Grape on Rosemary “Stem” with Gorgonzola and Walnut Powder

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops with Apple Cider Gastrique

Wild Mushroom and Taleggio Risotto with Crispy Sage

Cider-Brined Pork Tenderloin with Dijon-Calvados Sauce, Apple & Fennel 

Pears Poached In Spiced Syrah with Honey Whipped Mascarpone and Pistachio

With Curated Wine Pairings

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Saturday, September 5, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Chef Molly Sell Presents:

Date Night: Summer Wine Dinner (Hands On)

Celebrate the ease and elegance of summer entertaining in this class centered around beautifully paired wines and seasonal cuisine. Create a multi-course menu designed to highlight the freshest ingredients of the season - ripe produce, vibrant herbs, and light, refined preparations that let each element shine. From crisp, refreshing whites to bright rosés and lighter reds, each pour is thoughtfully selected to complement the menu and showcase the art of pairing. Come ready to cook, sip, and savor—this is summer dining at its finest.

On the menu: 

Marche Cheese & Charcuterie Plate

Heirloom Tomato and Fontina Cheese Tart with Dressed Greens

Fresh Berry Salad with Feta, Baby Cucumber, Avocado, Hazelnuts and Orange Vinaigrette

Marinated and Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri 

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemon Crumble a la Mode

With Wine Pairings

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Friday, October 16, 6:30- 9:00 pm

Chef Robin Nathan Presents:

Date Night: Bordeaux Bistro Wine Dinner (Hands On)

Escape to the heart of French wine country and explore the rustic elegance of regional French cooking, where meals are slow, seasonal, and meant to be savored. Inspired by the vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône, this experience brings together wine-forward ingredients, classic techniques, and a taste of la belle vie - a beautiful life.

On the menu:

Baby Greens with Warm Goat Cheese and Pears

Seared Duck Breast with Bordeaux-Luxardo Cherry Reduction

Herb Tossed Potatoes

Vanilla Custards with Warm Caramel

Curated wine pairings throughout

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.

Friday, November 20, 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Chef Molly Sell Presents:

Date Night: Italian Supper Club (Hands On)

Treat your favorite person to an evening inspired by the warmth and hospitality of a classic Italian supper club. Master Italian cooking fundamentals, from creating fresh, vibrant flavors to preparing restaurant-worthy sauces and perfectly cooked pasta, meats, or seafood. Along the way, our chef will share tips for effortless entertaining, wine pairing, and bringing the spirit of an Italian trattoria to your own table. Enjoy your meal together with thoughtfully selected wine pairings, making for a memorable evening filled with delicious food, laughter, and the joy of cooking together. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a fun night out, this class is the perfect recipe for date night.

On the menu:

Pappa al Pomodoro - Tuscan Sun-Ripened Tomato Soup

Classic Roman Cacio e Pepe with Pecorino Romano

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Butter Sauce and Briny Capers

Tiramisu with Velvety Mascarpone Cream

With Curated Italian Wines

Wine and Beer included in class.

10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise during class.