Fun a crucial ingredient at Palatine's Cook, Cork & Fork

The founder of the new Palatine business Cook, Cork & Fork said he got the idea for the operation — equal parts kitchen supply store and recreational cooking school — from a culinary experience that left him wanting more.

John Mahler said he and his wife Mica were at a combined bachelor and bachelorette party that included a recreational pasta making class at a catering company in Chicago.

Mahler said they had fun mixing the ingredients and kneading the dough at the front of the catering company's space, but when it came time to roll and cut their creation, the dough was whisked away to a back kitchen and finished by professionals.

“That facility wasn't really set up to do a cooking class,” Mahler said. “It's not really a cooking class if you aren't doing all the cooking.”

That was three years ago. Now, he, Mica and their 12-year-old son Jacob, are gearing up for the grand opening of their business on June 11.

Cook, Cork & Fork, 34 W. Palatine Road, made a soft launch seven weeks ago and has been providing customers with the full cooking experience on a range of different food, including regional cuisine like Italian and French, and seasonal options, such as lighter foods for spring and summer.

“It's a good time,” Mahler said. “People aren't coming here to become a professional chefs or because it is a professional cooking school, it is to have a good time.”

Mahler said after customers enjoy their cooking class, — and have eaten the food they made — they are invited to peruse the kitchen supply store side of the business, where they have the option to buy many of the same tools and gadgets they used in the class, as well as bottles of the wine and beer they've been drinking during the lesson.

Mahler doesn't lead the classes himself. He has a professional to do that, but said he has relished doing almost everything else.

“It's been great. It's true what they say 'If you do what you love you'll never work a day of your life',” Mahler said.

The store is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Classes take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and on some Sunday afternoons.

Mahler said they also host classes for private parties. More information on Cook, Cork & Fork can be found on their website www.cookcorkandfork.com.