Food and wine classes

TODAY

Gourmet Pizzas, Flatbreads and More: Experts from Parkview Gourmet will demonstrate gourmet pizzas, flatbreads and dessert calzones. Learn how to make and shape the dough as well as cooking techniques and what wines to serve in this 6:30 p.m. class at Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $55. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Bon Appetit Back to School: Join Christina Hernandez as she focuses on back-to-school meals at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table, 55 S. Main St., Naperville. $55. (630) 428-1110.

Introduction to Rolled Fondant: Receive an in-depth, professional overview of easy-to-shape rolled fondant to use on cakes from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien. $250 (all materials are furnished). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

Totally Hands-On Sauces: A two-part class that explores the classic French sauces. Part I includes stock and roux-based sauces; Part II (Sept. 19) visits emulsified sauces (hollandaise, mayonnaise, etc.). Class meets at 7 p.m. at The Chopping Block, 4747 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $125. (773) 472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com.

THURSDAY

Kids in the Kitchen: Kids can learn to make blueberry pancakes, stuffed French toast, muffins and smoothies in this hands-on class from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dave's Specialty Foods Inc., 105 W. Prospect Ave., Mount Prospect. $45. (847) 259-9510.

Quick Dinners : Join Christina Hernandez as she focuses on quick dinners in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table in Naperville. $65. (630) 428-1110.

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 Renaissance at Whole Foods Market, 840 Willow Road, Northbrook. Free. (847) 205-5353.

Introduction to Gum Paste: Learn the fine art of making gum paste flowers and arrangements from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts in Darien. $250 (all materials are furnished). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

You Don't Know Squash: Learn how to make a variety of dishes using squash in this 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $35. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

Stock Your Pantry: Learn how to stock your pantry in this free class at 12:15 p.m. at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location. Free. (312) 644-6360 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

FRIDAY

Fridays Five by Five: Organic wines 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.

Friday Night Out: South of France Join Nicole Kinzer as she features French dishes in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table in Naperville. $70. (630) 428-1110.

So You Don't Think You Like White Wine: Join Diana Hamann and learn about white wines at 7 p.m. at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $60. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

SATURDAY

Garden Chef Series: Chef Janine MacLachlan of The Rustic Kitchen, 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. The series is free, parking is $15. (847) 835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/chef.

Cake Decorating Basics: Join an instructor from the Wilton School and learn how to decorate cakes in this hands-on class at 10:30 a.m. at Sur La Table in Naperville. $65. (630) 428-1110.

Introduction to Sugar Artistry: Learn the basics of the traditional art of pulled sugar and its use in contemporary cake design in this all-day course from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts in Darien. $350 (all materials furnished). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

Learn to Grill: Join Eric Smith, executive chef at Citizen Bar, Chicago, and learn grilling techniques, side dishes and a summer drink recipe. Enjoy complimentary beer and wine as well as samples of the dishes from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Citizen Bar, 364 W. Erie St., Chicago. $45. (312) 640-1156 or www.citizenbar.com.

Focus on France: Parisian Cuisine Learn specialties from Paris from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location. $175. (312) 644-6360 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

SUNDAY

After School Snacks: Kids can join Le Titi de Paris chefs Michael and Susan Maddox and learn how to prepare after-school snacks in this hands-on class from 10 a.m. to noon at the restaurant, 1015 Dundee Road, Arlington Heights, which will be followed by a three-course meal ending at 1 p.m. $45. (847) 506-0222.

Garden Chef Series: Leslie Jacobsen-Cohen, Pear Tree Catering, Buffalo Grove, will prepare recipes with garden-fresh ingredients in a series of free demonstrations from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The series is free, parking is $15. (847) 835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/chef.

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. $40. (312) 644-6360 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

MONDAY

Introduction to Gum Paste: Learn the fine art of making gum paste flowers and arrangements in this class from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien. $250 (all materials are furnished). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

Culinary Boot Camp: Spend a week in the kitchen learning how to cook like the pros. Class meets 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sept. 21 at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location. $1,750. (312) 644-6360 or www.thechoppingblock.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. $40. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

TUESDAY

Tapas: Learn how to make spicy sweet peppers, crab cakes and sweet potato quesadillas from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dave's Specialty Foods in Mount Prospect. $45. (847) 259-9510.

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.

Essential Knife Skills: Join Christina Hernandez and learn how to use and care for knives in this hands-on class at 10:30 a.m. at Sur La Table's Naperville store. $65. (630) 428-1110.

Introduction to Rolled Fondant: Receive an in-depth, professional overview of rolled fondant for use 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.

Autumn Vegetable Harvest: Learn to make delicious dishes with the bounty of seasonal produce at 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $75. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

SEPT. 19

Glorious Italian: Join chef Armando Lopez of Francesca's restaurants as he prepares some of his favorite Italian dishes in this 6:30 p.m. class at Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $70. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Sushi 101 :Join Jamie Bordushuk and learn how to make sushi in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table, 55 S. Main St., Naperville. $75. (630) 428-1110.

Introduction to Gum Paste: Learn the fine art of making gum paste flowers and arrangements in this class from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien. $250 (all materials furnished). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

How to Boil Water: If you're new to cooking, conquer your fear in this 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $40. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

SEPT. 20

Kids in the Kitchen: Kids can learn how to bake cakes, make puddings and fruit tarts in this hands-on class from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dave's Specialty Foods, 105 W. Prospect Ave., Mount Prospect. $55. (847) 259-9510.

Cooking With Tools: Cooks Love Join Kelly Sears and learn how to use all those tools in this hands-on class at 6:30 p.m. at Sur La Table in Naperville. $65. (630) 428-1110.

Napa Valley Dinner Party: Learn how to make a delicious Napa Valley-inspired menu for dinner in this 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block's Lincoln Avenue location. $50. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.

Mojitos 101 :Victor Baheza, expert mixologist at Carnivale, will lead this hands-on class featuring three mojito recipes. Class meets 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, Chicago. $25. (312) 850-5005; www.carnivalechicago.com.

SEPT. 21

Lunch & Learn The mix of flavors and cultures of the Pacific Rim are featured in this noon class at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $35. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Mexican Everyday: Join Nachi Bresnahan who will focus on recipes from the cookbook "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.

Flavors of Argentina: Join Fernando Trocca, executive chef and owner of Buenos Aires' Sucre and El Diamante, and New York City's Industria Argentina as he demonstrates some of his favorite Argentine recipes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the private dining room at NoMi restaurant at the Park Hyatt, 800 N. Michigan Ave. $45. (312) 239-4404 or www.NoMirestaurant.com.

Argentine Wine Tasting and Lecture: Join master sommelier Serafi Alvarado as he focuses on wines from Argentina from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Drawing Room at the Park Hyatt Chicago. $60. (312) 239-4404 or www.NoMirestaurant.com.

Conquering the Restaurant Wine List: Join Diana Hamann and learn basic wine etiquette, how to understand the wine list, how to read a wine label and when it is worth it to bring your own wine and pay the corkage fee in this 7 p.m. class at The Chopping Block on Lincoln Avenue. $60. (773) 472-6700 or www.thechoppingblock.com.