Food and wine classes

TODAY

Caribbean Dreams Join chef Michael Clark who brings the exotic flavors of the Sugar Islands with a variety of dishes in this class at 6:30 p.m. at Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $65. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Ice Cream and Sorbets Learn how to make all sorts of frozen treats using an assortment of fresh fruit in this hands-on class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Now We're Cookin', 1601 N. Payne St., Evanston. $45. (847) 570-4140.

THURSDAY

Backyard Barbecue Learn to make a menu from the "Easy Entertaining" cookbook that puts a fresh spin on a traditional barbecue from 6 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Sonoma, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. $35. (847) 550-0803.

Cooking with Herbs Join Dave Esau, chef/owner of Dave's Specialty Foods in Mount Prospect, as he demonstrates how to creatively cook with herbs from one's own garden or the farmers market in this free class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Chalet Nursery and Garden Center, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette. (847) 256-0561, ext. 225 or jenniferb@chaletnursery.com.

Dinner With Friends Take advantage of the longer days and invite some friends over for dinner. Learn to prepare a leisurely dinner menu to enjoy from 6 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Sonoma, 322 Commons Drive, Geneva. $35. (630) 262-8390.

FRIDAY

Lunch & Learn: Poaching Poaching is the process of gently simmering food in water, stock or wine while preserving the flavor of the food. Learn how to cook a variety of foods using this technique at noon at Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville. $35. (847) 816-9511 or www.LiveLoveCookEat.com.

Cooking with Herbs Join Dave Esau, chef/owner of Dave's Specialty Foods, Mount Prospect, will demonstrate how to creatively cook with herbs from one's own garden or the farmers market in this free class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Chalet Nursery and Garden Center, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette. (847) 256-0561, ext. 225 or jenniferb@chaletnursery.com.

Spanish Wine Tasting Sample more than 40 wines from Spain and Portugal from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Binny's, 790 Royal St. George, Naperville. $15 (proceeds to benefit the Naperville Humane Society). Reservations recommended. (630) 717-0100.

SATURDAY

Garden Chef Series Join Heather Terhune of Southwater Kitchen, Chicago, as she prepares recipes using garden-fresh ingredients in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Demonstration Kitchen at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free. (847) 835-8261 or www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

The Basics The Chicago Wine School Basics Course is a five-week course aimed at those developing an interest in wines or those who need a good review. Classes meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 9 at 404 Wine Bar, 2850 N. Southport, Chicago (enter through Jack's). $180. (312) 491-0284 or www.wineschool.com.

SUNDAY

Garden Chef Series Join Chris Turano of Dine in Chicago as he makes dishes with garden fresh ingredients in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Demonstration Kitchen at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Free. (847) 835-8261 or www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

MONDAY

Global Grape Series Join Just Grapes for a discussion and demonstration of different brands and wine types from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Just Grapes, 560 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago. $35. (312) 627-WINE or visit www.justgrapes.net.

TUESDAY

Cool Desserts Learn to make a variety of desserts that can be made ahead and served cold in this Cucina Della Rosa class from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCauley Design, 211 Park Ave., Barrington. $75. (847) 650-9463 or www.maryrosecooks.com.

Summer Pies Learn to master the Basic Pie Dough and learn to create an endless array of tempting desserts from 6 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Sonoma, 322 Commons Drive, Geneva. $35. (630) 262-8390.

JULY 16

Dinner with Friends Impress friends with dishes like spring greens with broiled goat cheese and peach and pistachio cobbler learned at this Williams-Sonoma class from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Deer Park store. $35. (847) 550-0803.

Pizza Smorgasbord Kids 11 and older can learn how to roll out pizza dough and top it with a variety of sauces and ingredients. Class meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Two Kitchens, 2035 W. Washington St., Naperville. $28. (630) 717-9630 or www.twokitchens.com

JULY 19

Summer Salads Join chef Andy Webber of Carlucci as he prepares summer salads from 1 to 4 p.m. at Carlucci Restaurant, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. $45 (includes sampling and wine). (630) 512-0990 or www.carluccirestaurant.com.

Garden Chef Series Join Christopher Tong of My Private Chef, Chicago, as he prepares dishes with garden fresh ingredients in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Demonstration Kitchen at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Free. (847) 835-8261 or www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

JULY 22

Pantry Cooking Learn how to organize the pantry and what staples to have on hand and dishes that can be made from what's on hand 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.

Backyard Barbecue Learn to make a menu from the "Easy Entertaining" cookbook that puts a fresh spin on a traditional barbecue. Class meets 6 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Sonoma at Geneva Commons. $35. (630) 262-8390.