Let's be honest, Chicagoans spend way too much money eating out at any number of restaurants. While the restaurants are great, most people eat out because their home cooking isn't up to snuff. Making a decent meal for yourself in your own kitchen doesn't need to be incredibly difficult. Here are six classes that will convince you to light up your stove instead of hopping on GrubHub yet again.
Arabic Cooking Class
Dip your feet into some international cuisine with this class in Lincoln Square. You can learn Arabic cooking techniques and get your hands on great recipes. After taking this class, you'll be able to host a dinner party where your friends will think you're way more cultured than you actually are. 5047 N Lincoln Ave. Fridays from July 3 to September 25, 9pm. $35
Pasta Workshop
Most people's knowledge of pasta making extends to boiling dry spaghetti for seven minutes. This class will teach you how to make fresh pasta dough from scratch, as well as accompanying sauces. 4747 N Lincoln Ave. Tuesday, June 7, 6:30pm and Sunday, July 19, 10am. $80
Bordeaux Menu - Cooking 101
French food is delicious, but most city dwellers have no idea how to prepare a proper Soufflé or wine sauce. This class will guide you through a six-course meal that'll leave you wishing that you lived in Paris. 2256 N Elston Ave. Wednesdays, July 8 and July 22 and Tuesday, July 28, 6pm. $110
Farm to Table
Everybody loves a good farmers market, but it's hard to figure out what to do with the fresh produce once you bring it home. Learn how to turn your haul of fruits and veggies into a scrumptious creation. 4747 N Lincoln Ave. Thursday, July 9, 7pm. $80
Journey to South India
Chef Susan Pachikara is hosting this class on South Indian cuisine. Students will learn how to work with tumeric, curry leaves and other regional ingredients as they learn four of the chef's family recipes. The class is also BYOB, so it's a perfect opportunity to be productive while day drinking. 4642 N Francisco Ave. Saturday, July 11, noon. $55
Mediterranean Feast
This class will make you an expert at Italian and Greek cooking techniques. Dishes include marinated skirt steak, stuffed peppers and orzo salad. It's also BYOB, and the class will have wine selections available for purchase in-house. 819 W Armitage Ave. Thursdays, July 16 and July 30, 6:30pm. $67.50-$75