Food and wine classes

TODAY

Portuguese Cooking-- Learn to make a variety of dishes from Portugal in this hands-on class from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in room 2 at Fremd High School, 1000 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. $55 ($40 Gold Card). (847) 755-6820.

Winter Soups -- Join chef Susan Maddox of Le Titi de Paris as she prepares some of her favorite winter soups at 6:30 p.m. at Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $65. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

The ABC's of Wine -- Learn the basics of wine selection at 7 p.m. at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro, 3905 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $45 ($110 for three classes). (773) 248-3905 or www.irishbistro.com.

THURSDAY

Braising and Roasting -- Join this hands-on class and learn how these classic techniques use heat, time and moisture to boost taste and keep meat tender. Take home tips and recipes that are guaranteed to keep them coming back for more. Class meets at 6:30 p.m. at Sur la Table, 55 S. Main St., Naperville. $75 (630) 428-1110.

Simmering Soup -- Review some classic favorites and learn some new ideas for ultimate one-dish warmers in this class from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at World Kitchen, Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph, Chicago. $30. (312) 742-8497.

FRIDAY

Lunch & Learn -- Hearty Italian Soups and hot crusty bread will be featured in this noon class at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $35. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Girls Night Out -- Champagne Tasting Join Barbara Glunz of Glunz Wines and expand your knowledge of sparkling wine as well as some holiday menu planning and appetizers to complement Champagne from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Now We're Cookin', 1601 Payne St., Evanston. $45. (847) 570-4140 or www.nwcookin.com.

Ladies Night -- Join this special hands-on class from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kendall College, 900 N. North Branch St., Chicago. $85. (312) 752-2206 or spiceup@kendall.edu.

SATURDAY

Sauces and Soups -- Kendall College experts will lead this demonstration class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sunset Foods, 825 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. $40. (312) 752-2206 or spiceup@kendall.edu.

SUNDAY

Breads to Make and Freeze -- Join Le Titi de Paris chefs Michael and Susan Maddox and learn how to make bread in this hands-on class from 2 to 4 p.m. at the restaurant, 1015 Dundee Road, Arlington Heights. Class will be followed by a four-course dinner. $78. (847) 506-0222.

Advanced Knife Skills -- Learn a variety ways of using knives 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.

MONDAY

Thanksgiving Sides: -- Join this hands-on class and learn dishes including Truffled Red Skin Mashed Potatoes and Savory Parmesan Mushroom Bread Pudding. Class meets at 6:30 p.m. at Sur la Table's Naperville store. $65. (630) 428-1110.

Wine Appreciations: Part 2 -- Join Gibby's University and learn the nuances and subtleties of the French Wines at 7 p.m. at Gibby's Wine Den, 1772 S. Randall Road, Geneva. $25. (630) 208-6424 or info@gibbys-wine.com.

Basics Wine Course -- Join this Chicago Wine School five-week series focusing on the basics of wine. Each 90-minute class will cover a different topic. Class meets at 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 10 at 404 Wine Bar, 2856 N. Southport, Chicago (enter through Jack's). $170 (must be 21). www.wineschool.com.

Wines of Italy -- Join this Chicago Wine School five-week class focusing on the wines of Italy. Each 90-minute class will cover a different region. Class meets at 8 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 10 at 404 Wine Bar in Chicago (enter through Jack's). $250 (must be 21). www.wineschool.com.

TUESDAY

Hearty Soups -- Learn the art of preparing soups that stand alone as a meal in this Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design Studio, 211 Park St., Barrington. $75. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

Holiday Cooking -- Add some new ideas for the holidays with blue cheese dip, beef Wellington, smoked salmon rillettes and egg nog from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dave's Specialty Foods, Inc., 105 W. Prospect Ave., Mount Prospect. $55. (847) 259-9510.

Culinary Skills Part 1: Poultry Learn how to handle and prepare poultry a variety of ways i from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kendall College in Chicago. $85. (312) 752-2206 or spiceup@kendall.edu.

NOV. 14

My Family's Italian Recipes -- Join Judy Portzeba as she prepares some of her favorite Italian dishes in this 6:30 p.m. class at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $65. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Heartland Red Meats - Join a cooking demonstration by Pat Sondgeroth of Heartland Meats in Mendota. Heartland Meats sells Illinois-raised beef, raised without the use of added hormones. Class meets 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Now We're Cookin' in Evanston. $45. (847) 570-4140 or www.nwcookin.com.

Varietals Wine Course -- Join this Chicago Wine School five-week class focusing on nearly three dozen grape varieties. Each 90-minute class will cover a different wine group. Class meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 12 at Whole Foods, 1101 S. Canal St., Chicago. $200 (must be 21). www.wineschool.com.

NOV.15

Wine Pairing -- Join Kelly Cellars for an elegant wine tasting then prepare and dine on a five-course gourmet meal in this Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design Studio in Barrington. $100. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

A Slice of Cake -- Join author Nancie MacDermott who will focus on some of her favorite desserts from her new book, "Southern Cakes," from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts in Chicago. $30. (312) 742-8497.

NOV. 16

Fall Flavors Pasta Class-- Learn how to incorporate some hearty fall pasta flavors into meals with 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.

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