Food and wine classes

TODAY

Cake Baking 101 Join pastry chef Laura Gialluisi, owner of Edible Arts Creations in Bartlett, and learn the basics of baking and decorating cakes and a variety tips and techniques in this Cooking with the Best Chefs class from 7 to 9 p.m. at Paprikash Restaurant, 602 W. Northwest Hwy., Arlington Heights. $35 ($25 for members). (630) 980-6800 or www.BestChefs.com.

Light, Summery Italian Join chef Armando Lopez of Francesca restaurants in Lake Forest and Barrington as he shares some of his favorite recipes at 6:30 p.m. at Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $55. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

New World Wonders Explore the great wines of Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina at 6 p.m. at the Chopping Block at the Merchandise Mart. $60. (312) 644-6360 or thechoppingblock.com.

Knife Skills Learn to chop, mince and slice vegetables and herbs and care for knives in this hands-on session, at 7 p.m. at the Chopping Block, 4747 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $40. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

THURSDAY

Everybody Likes Bacon Dinner Party Learn a positively pork-a-licious menu at 6 p.m. at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Square location. $50. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

Night at the Souk Learn how to make exotic Middle Eastern dishes at 6 p.m. at the Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location, (312) 644-6360; or 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Square location, (773) 472-6700. $75. or thechoppingblock.com.

FRIDAY

Italian Desserts -- Summer Favorites Learn how to make a variety of tasty summer desserts in this Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design, 211 Park St., Barrington. $75. (847) 650-9463 or maryrose@maryrosecooks.com.

Tapas, Sangria and Sherry Enjoy five wines paired with five food offerings from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 840 Willow Road, Northbrook. $5. (847) 205-5353.

Basic Knife Skills Join chef Juliet Greene and learn how to handle kitchen knives safely with skill and confidence in this class from 6 to 9 p.m. at Macy's Culinary Studio, 111 N. State St., Chicago. $50. (800) 265-2665.

New World Wonders Explore the great wines of Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina at 7 p.m. at the Chopping Block's Lincoln Square location. $60. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

SATURDAY

Garden Chef Series David Richards of Sweets & Savories in Chicago will prepare recipes with garden fresh ingredients at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Demo is free; parking $15. (847) 835-5440 or www.chicagobotanic.org/chef.

Knife Skills Learn how to chop, mince and slice vegetables and herbs as well as knife care at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. at The Chopping Block Merchandise Mart location or Lincoln Avenue location. $40. (312) 644-6360 or (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

SUNDAY

Garden Chef Series Pedro Martinez of Café Central in Highland Park will prepare recipes with garden fresh ingredients at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The demo is free; parking $15. (847) 835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/chef.

TUESDAY

Whole Kids Club Kids can stop by and learn about delicious and healthy ways to make food they love and receive a treat from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. Free. (847) 205-5353.

Fondant Fun Learn how to work with fondant by cutting and shaping into exciting decorations, learn stamping and brushing, color techniques and more. Take home a sample cake made in this day-long class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien. $105. (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

SEPT. 5

Hands-On Bread Baking Chef Rose Frane will share her bread baking expertise in this hands-on class focusing focaccia and baguettes at 6:30 p.m. at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $55. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Essential Knife Skills Join Christina Hernandez and learn how to use and care for knives in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table, 55 S. Main St., Naperville. $65. (630) 428-1110.

Basic Decorating Workshop Join this three-day workshop and learn how to do basic borders, icing flowers, piping vines and leaves and writing techniques as you create a project cake to take home. Class meets 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sept. 6 and 7 at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts in Darien. $475. (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

Knife Skills Learn how to chop, mince and slice vegetables and herbs as well as knife care in this 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block on Lincoln Avenue location. $40. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

War of the Wine Worlds -- Old vs. New Join Diana Hamann as she compares the old world winemaking countries (France, Italy, Spain, Germany) and new world countries (America, Australia/New Zealand, South America) in this 6 p.m. class at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location. $60. (312) 644-6360 or thechoppingblock.com.

SEPT. 6

Late Summer Flavors Combine what's best right now from the farmers market with the history and lore of spices from The Spice House and you have some delicious early fall recipes with great stories on the side from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at World Kitchen, Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph, Chicago. $30. (312) 742-8497.

SEPT. 7

Lunch & Learn Seared Scallops with Asiago Risotto and Asparagus will be featured in this noon class at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $35. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Tailgating Tips with Beer Enjoy some beers and food for tailgating from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 840 Willow Road, Northbrook. $5. (847) 205-5353.

Mexican Everyday Join Nachi Bresnahan as she features recipes from "Mexican Everyday" by Rick Bayless in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table in Naperville. $75. (630) 428-1110.

War of the Wine Worlds -- Old vs. New Join Diana Hamann as she compares the old world winemaking countries (France, Italy, Spain, Germany) and new world countries (America, Australia/New Zealand, South America) in this 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $60. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

A Taste of German Fest Learn how to cook some favorite German specialties at 7 p.m. at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $75. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

SEPT. 8

Garden Chef Series Chef Victor DeLeon of O'Donovan's in Chicago will prepare recipes with garden fresh ingredients at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The demo is free; parking $15. (847) 835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/chef.

Chef 'n' Kids Cook Healthy Dinners Kids can join Jamie Bordoshuk and learn to make some healthy dinners in this hands-on class at 10:30 a.m. at Sur La Table's Naperville store. $45. (630) 428-1110.

World Kitchen Kids Young chefs (9 to 12) will have fun making everything from a Mexican omelet to Pain Au Chocolat, a typical French after-school snack, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at World Kitchen in Chicago. $30. (312) 742-8497.

Bread Workshop Learn the basics of yeast doughs, including pizza, pretzels and whole wheat dinner rolls and baguettes in this 10 a.m. class at The Chopping Block Lincoln Avenue location. $75. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

Slow Cooking: Crockpots and Cast Iron Learn how to make easy dishes that cook long and slow in this 10 a.m. class at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location or Lincoln Avenue location. $40. (312) 644-6360 or (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

SEPT. 9

Garden Chef Series Mary Ellen Diaz of First Slice Pie Café in Chicago will prepare recipes with garden fresh ingredients at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The demo is free; parking $15. (847) 835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/chef.

Culinary Boot Camp Spend eight Sundays in the kitchen learning how to cook like the pros in this class beginning at 10 a.m. at The Chopping Block Merchandise Mart. $1,750 (eight weeks). (312) 644-6360 or thechoppingblock.com.

SEPT. 10

Salmon Join Le Titi de Paris chefs Michael and Susan Maddox and learn how to prepare a variety of dishes using salmon from 10 a.m. to noon at the restaurant, 1015 Dundee Road, Arlington Heights. A three-course meal follows and should wrap up at 1 p.m. $60. (847) 506-0222.

Chef Demonstrations Enjoy a demonstration at the Culinary Corner from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. led by a chef from the Radisson Hotel at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. Free. (847) 205-5353.

Shop on a Budget Tour Learn how to find the basics needed for the week that will fit your budget from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at Whole Foods Market, 840 Willow Road, Northbrook. Free. (847) 205-5353.

Italian Pasta Sauces Join Christina Hernandez as she focuses on pasta sauces in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table in Naperville. $65. (630) 428-1110.

Introduction to Rolled Fondant Receive an in-depth, professional overview of using easy-to-shape rolled fondant on cakes from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts in Darien. $250 (all materials furnished). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.