The Joyful Gourmet

4.8
(43 reviews)
Last updated: May 23, 2025
Website
224-433-6350
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About The Business

The Joyful Gourmet is a retail establishment and culinary destination located in Libertyville, Illinois. The business offers a curated selection of kitchenware, specialty food items, and beverages including wine. It serves as a resource for home cooks and food lovers seeking quality tools and ingredients.

Beyond its retail offerings, The Joyful Gourmet hosts a variety of cooking classes. These hands-on sessions cover diverse cuisines and culinary techniques, providing participants with practical skills and enjoyable experiences. The class schedule features different themes and focuses throughout the year.

In addition to public classes, The Joyful Gourmet is available for private events, including corporate team building activities, date nights, and other special occasions. The venue provides a space for groups to cook and socialize together. Participants in classes are welcome to bring their own beer or wine to enjoy with the prepared meal.

Location & Hours

The Joyful Gourmet

542 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, 60048

224-433-6350

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Hours
Mon
Closed
Tue
10AM-9PM
Wed
10AM-5PM
Thu
10AM-9PM
Fri
10AM-9PM
Sat
10AM-9PM
Sun
11AM-4PM

Additional Information

Class types:

Date night, Couples, Corporate events, Team-building, Unspecified

Age groups:

Kids, Adults

Skill level:

Unspecified

Class themes:

Italian, French, Spanish, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Baking, Pastry, Bread Making, Cake Decorating, Chocolate Making, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Wine Pairing, Knife Skills, Meal Prep, Healthy Cooking, Holiday Cooking, Seafood, Comfort Food, Breakfast & Brunch, Sauces & Stocks, Pasta Making, Dumpling Making

Class sizes:

7–15 people, 15+ people

Participation types:

Hands-on

Teacher credentials:

Professional Chef

Class types:

Cooking class

Class duration:

Single-sessions

BYOB allowed?

Allowed

The Joyful Gourmet 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