Marcel's Culinary Experience, Glen Ellyn, Announces Grand Opening Oct. 8
Gourmet food tastings, product demonstrations, and gift basket raffles are among the festivities scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at the grand opening of Marcel's Culinary Experience (www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com), a gourmet retailer and cooking school at 490 Main Street in historic downtown Glen Ellyn.
Designed as a place to “cook, create, and celebrate,” the Marcel's event will also include an exclusive look at its full line of fine cookware, hardworking professional tools, exquisite tablewares, specialty foods and other one-of-a-kind items, according to owner Jill Foucré.
“We're thrilled to be a part of this vibrant area, and are proud to have created a unique place for anyone who loves food to shop, learn, watch, meet new people or socialize with old friends,” said Foucré, a longtime Glen Ellyn resident and former health insurance executive, whose longtime dream has been to create a place for food lovers and cooks of all skill levels and experience to learn and enjoy.
The internationally flavored “cook's haven” combines Foucré's family heritage (Marcel was her grandfather, a classically trained French chef and restaurateur), her love of cooking and entertaining, and her entrepreneurial spirit. Working with local designers Beth Howley and Lisa Sallwasser, she created Marcel's as “a place to pull up a chair, gather round the table and discover fabulous food adventures.”
The heart of Marcel's is its modern 400-square-foot kitchen, equipped for a variety of culinary experiences. The beautifully appointed space will be the setting for an extensive, ongoing schedule of culinary courses (both hands-on and demonstration) led by Marcel's Executive Chef Kelly Sears and featuring some of the Chicago area's most respected chef instructors. The fall schedule includes 24 classes taught by Sears, Rose Carvallo, Coleen Graham, Paul Lindemuth, Jean True and Katie Wojciechowski, plus special free “walk-up” demonstrations. Topics range from Spirited Entertaining (Oct. 6) to Cheese, Brew & Charcuterie (Oct. 20) to Knife Skills (Nov. 17) to Holiday Entertaining (Nov. 29 and Dec. 1).
Marcel's can also be reserved for private events of up to 16 people. “People already have contacted us about hosting a special event for their group, their customers, or just friends. Taking a cooking class together is appealing to so many people,” said Foucré.
The retail experience at Marcel's, led by Retail Manager Dana Williams, complements the epicurean experience with top quality culinary products such as All Clad, Le Creuset, Emile Henry, Mauviel, Wusthof, Shun, Rosle, Viking, and Jura Capresso, with the special addition of unique offerings from Simon Pearce, Juliska, Jan Barboglio, Terrafirma Ceramics, Shine Handmade, and many others. The specialty foods have been hand-picked (and tasted!) by Foucré and Sears to bring “best in category” selections to Marcel's. From Cuvee Coffee to Kissel's Spiced Jams to S.A.L.T. Sisters salts, sugars, and rubs to Nielsen-Massey vanillas to Il Broschetto olive oil, there is something for everyone at Marcel's.
Marcel's accepts all major credit cards. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com, or call 630-790-8500.