Wooden Spoon Chicago

The Wooden Spoon is a kitchen store in Andersonville that runs group cooking classes in its own kitchen. An outdoor patio garden has a mosaic-tiled wood-fired oven, and guests can relax out there when the weather allows.

Every class costs the same, $95, and runs on the same plan. You spend the first 20 to 30 minutes prepping ingredients in the French mise en place style, then the chef leads everyone through each recipe as a team. Food usually reaches the table two to two and a half hours in. Classes are BYOB.

The calendar mixes technique and theme. October has included Pasta Workshop, World Dumplings with empanadas, potstickers and spring rolls, Homesick for New Orleans and a Tribute to Julia. Friday nights are Couples' Cooking, a looser format part class and part party, with international, Japanese and Mexican menus.