Cooking Skills & Social

4.7
(114 reviews)
Last updated: May 23, 2025
Website
630-912-9627
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About The Business

Cooking Skills and Social is a culinary experience center located in Itasca, Illinois, offering a diverse range of cooking classes and private events. They provide a hands-on learning environment where participants can develop their cooking abilities and enjoy a social atmosphere. The facility caters to various occasions, including public classes, date nights, couples’ outings, corporate team-building activities, and private parties for celebrations.

The class offerings cover a wide array of global cuisines and specific culinary techniques. Themes include Italian, French, Thai, Mexican, and Mediterranean dishes, alongside specialized classes focusing on baking, bread making, pasta making, and sushi preparation. They also offer classes centered on skills like knife techniques, healthy cooking, holiday themes, seafood, and comfort food. Classes are designed primarily as single-session experiences, typically lasting two to three hours.

Cooking Skills and Social welcomes both adults and children through dedicated kids’ classes. Their approach emphasizes active participation in the kitchen. The venue is also BYOB friendly, allowing guests to bring their own beverages to enjoy during their culinary experience. The center positions itself as a go-to spot for individuals and groups looking for an engaging and fun way to learn about cooking and connect through food.

Location & Hours

Cooking Skills & Social

1201 Norwood Ave, Itasca, 60143

630-912-9627

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Hours
Mon
Unspecified
Tue
Unspecified
Wed
Unspecified
Thu
Unspecified
Fri
Unspecified
Sat
Unspecified
Sun
Unspecified

Additional Information

Class types:

Date night, Couples, Corporate events, Team-building, Kids’ classes

Age groups:

Kids, Adults

Skill level:

Unspecified

Class themes:

Italian, French, Thai, Mexican, Mediterranean, BBQ/Grilling, Baking, Bread Making, Pasta Making, Sushi Making, Holiday Cooking, Comfort Food, Knife Skills, Healthy Cooking, Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch

Class sizes:

Unspecified

Participation types:

Hands-on

Teacher credentials:

Unspecified

Class types:

Cooking class

Class duration:

Single-sessions

BYOB allowed?

Allowed

Cooking Skills & Social Reviews

4.7 114 reviews
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Avoid Gather & Forge – My Experience with Their Private Chef Services

September 12, 2025

I don’t usually write negative reviews, but I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone else avoid the same mistake.

I hired Gather & Forge well in advance to provide a great private dining experience for guests I had flown in from across the country—two nights in a row. Both nights were a letdown.

The chef showed up 45 minutes to an hour late each night.

The food wasn’t hot. It came out lukewarm or even cool.

The quality of the meal didn’t justify the price. Honestly, I’d say the value was maybe 60% of what we paid.

I gave them plenty of chances to make it right, but they had no interest in doing so. As much as I think Brandon (the chef) worked hard, the overall service just didn’t live up to the cost or the expectations.

Bottom line: Gather & Forge is overpriced, underdelivers, and doesn’t seem to care about customer satisfaction. I really wanted this to be a great experience, but I would never use them again and highly discourage anyone from booking them for private chef services.

Clay

Fabulous venue for events & Italian cooking classes!

August 25, 2025

Our BYOB wine group had an amazing experience Saturday night at A Taste of Milan in the Southside with Chef Sidney and Katie! We learned how to make home made pasta and enjoyed her family recipes handed down from generations! Truly beyond 5 stars and it was a magical evening! Thank you Sidney and Katie

Kim Marie Angiulli