Food and wine classes

TODAY

Pears, Pears, Pears Learn about the varieties, seasons and combinations of pears and a variety of ways to prepare them in this hands-on class from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Fremd High School (room 2), 1000 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. $55 ($40 Gold Card). (847) 755-6820.

Knife Skills Join Wustof representative Clark Stone and learn how to properly handle, storage, sharpen and clean knives at 6:30 p.m. at Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. A light meal will be served $60 (receive a $50 Wusthof paring knife). Knives will be sharpened ($3.50 per knife) during the class. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Singles Only -- Hands-on Grilling Class Get together and grill a four-course meal at 6:30 p.m., and enjoy a seated candlelight dinner at Corner Cooks, 507 Chestnut St., Winnetka. $60. (847) 441-0134.

Rediscover Your Slow Cooker Learn how to take the stress out of preparing dinner by using a slow cooker. Class meets 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 840 Willow Road, Northbrook. $40. (847) 205-5353.

THURSDAY

Marigold Restaurant Join Castano Penn, executive chef at Marigold Indian restaurant, who will demonstrate a four-course meal at 6:30 p.m. A seated candlelight dinner follows at Corner Cooks in Winnetka. $60. (847) 441-0134.

FRIDAY

Teens Cook Italian Teens 14 to 17 will make and enjoy a five-course Italian meal in this hands-on, Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design, 211 Park Ave., Barrington. $30. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

Fridays Five by Five: Big Reds Enjoy five wines paired with five foods from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. $5. (847) 205-5353.

Community Table Come with an open palette, ready to try new foods, ingredients and recipes from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. $65. (847) 205-5353.

Sichuan Cooking Join Opera chef Paul Wildermuth as he prepares his favorite Sichuan dishes at 11 a.m. at Opera, 1301 S. Wabash St., Chicago. $50. (312) 461-0161 or www.opera-chicago.com.

SATURDAY

Fall Squash Join Le Titi de Paris chefs Michael and Susan Maddox and learn how to make a variety of dishes featuring squash from 10 a.m. to noon at the restaurant, 1015 Dundee Road, Arlington Heights. A three-course meal follows and should end by 1 p.m. $60. (847) 506-0222.

Couples Cook: Fall Harvest Menu Couples prepare a meal together at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy a seated candlelight dinner at Corner Cooks in Winnetka. $65. (847) 441-0134.

Regional Cuisine: Part 2 Join this demonstration class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by Kendall College at Sunset Foods in Lake Forest. $40. (312) 752-2206 or spiceup@kendall.edu.

Haunted House Decorating Workshop Join one of three, one-hour workshops for kids to decorate their own haunted cookie house. Houses will be pre-assembled and candy decorations supplied. Class meets at 10:30 a.m., 1 or 2:30 p.m. at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Arts, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien. $25 (per child/adult pair; max 2 children per adult). (630) 985-6077 or www.school.wilton.com.

SUNDAY

Spooky Treats Kids 8 and up can join Le Titi de Paris chefs Michael and Susan Maddox and learn how to prepare some spooky treats in this hands-on class from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arlington Heights restaurant. Lunch follows and should end at 1 p.m. $45. (847) 506-0222.

Let Them Eat Cake Spend the afternoon learning how create and assemble a variety of cakes from noon to 2 p.m. at Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts, 11 S. 7th St., Geneva. $40. (630) 845-2990.

TUESDAY

Who Made the Cheese? Learn all about the various Italian cheeses, where they came from and how to use them in a variety of dishes in this Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design in Barrington. $75. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

Pasta and Risotto Learn some new sauces and combinations that are simple and elegant in this class from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dave's Specialty Foods, Inc., 105 W. Prospect Ave., 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.

Garden Extravaganza Join executive chef Jaime Hatzis of The Waterfront at Hotel Baker in St. Charles as he prepares a variety of recipes featuring garden vegetables from 7 to 9 p.m.. This Cooking with the Best Chefs class will be held at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, 3N441 Route 59, West Chicago. $35 ($25 for members). (630) 980-6800 or www.BestChefs.com.

OCT. 24

The Foods and Wines of Argentina Join chef Matt Zagorski as he explores the culinary landscape of Argentina and prepares some of his favorite dishes in this 6:30 p.m. class at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $65. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Fall menu: Join chef/owner David Maish of David's Bistro as he prepares pumpkin soup, filet with wild mushroom sauce and fall berry crisp. Class meets 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the restaurant, 623 N. Wolf Road, Des Plaines. $50. (847) 803-3233.

Pantry Raid Learn what to keep in the pantry, freezer and fridge to whip up a meal for the unexpected guest or hungry family from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. $40. (847) 205-5353.

Knife Skills Learn how to choose and use kitchen knives as well as how to care for them in this 6 p.m. class at Corner Cooks in Winnetka. $35. (847) 441-0134.

OCTOBER 25

Chop Chop, Let's Eat Learn the art of preparing simple, nutritious and tasty 30-minute meals in this Cucina Della Rosa class from noon to 2 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design in Barrington. $75. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

Whole Kids Club: "Half Pints" Class Wheels on the Bus Kids 3 to 5 are invited, with an adult, to explore food in a fun and creative environment. Tots will be encouraged to try new foods and learn the importance of clean hands while trying out recipes designed for them from 11 a.m. to noon at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. $10 ($8 for Whole Kids Club Members). (847) 205-5353.

Cupcake Workshop Join Cupcakes of Chicago and learn the secrets of cupcake making as well as a variety of new cupcake ideas at 6:30 p.m. at Corner Cooks in Winnetka. $55. (847) 441-0134.

Basic Knife Skills Learn the basics of the kitchen's most useful tool in this hands-on class from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kendall College, 900 N. North Branch St., Chicago. $55. (312) 752-2206 or spiceup@kendall.edu.

Octoberfest with the Berghoff's Celebrate a century of history of one of Chicago's most beloved restaurants. Join chef Carlyn and her mother, Jan, and recreate some of the Berghoff family favorites from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at World Kitchen, Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $30. (312) 742-8497.

OCT. 26

Teens Cook with Trader Joe's Teens will explore some new flavors and foods as they prepare a meal from items purchased at Trader Joe's in this Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design in Barrington. $30. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

Lunch & Learn Cold weather comfort foods will be featured in this noon class at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $35. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Fridays Five by Five: Party wines Enjoy five wines paired with five foods from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. $5. (847) 205-5353.

Community Table Come with an open palette, ready to try new foods, ingredients and recipes for this class from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Northbrook. $65. (847) 205-5353.

Couples Cook: Dining on the Mediterranean Couples prepare a meal together at 6:30 p.m. then enjoy a seated candlelight dinner at Corner Cooks in Winnetka. $65. (847) 441-0134.

Uncorked -- Flight I Getting ready for the holidays? Need to restock the wine supply? Attend this Fall wine tasting and have the opportunity to taste at least 24 wines from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gibby's Wine Den, 1772 S. Randall Road, Geneva. $5 (free for Gibby's Wine Club members, includes $5 coupon). (630) 208-6424 or info@gibbys-wine.com.

OCT. 27

Couples Cook: A Witches Brew Couples prepare a Halloween-inspired meal at 6:30 p.m. then enjoy a seated candlelight dinner at Corner Cooks in Winnetka. $65 (costumes optional). (847) 441-0134.

Gourmet Grilling: Learn how to use the grill for a variety of dishes in this hands-on class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kendall College in Chicago. $85. (312) 752-2206 or spiceup@kendall.edu.