Our Services: Cooking Classes

CLASS REGISTRATION POLICIES: WALK-IN REGISTRATION ONLY: Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the RETAIL section. PHONE-IN or MAIL Registration Accepted: Starts March 25 at 10 a.m. Call (309) 452-8841. Class Limitations: Maximum of 2 Classes, 2 People per Class from March 23 - April 21. After April 21, you may register for as many classes and people as you wish. CLASS PAYMENT POLICIES: DUE UPON REGISTRATION. You may pay by CASH, CHECK or CREDIT CARD. Classes are $35 each, except where noted. Times/Policies: Classes are held from 6-9 p.m. No alcohol is allowed. Discounts: 10% storewide discount offered at class. Some exceptions apply. Refunds: Only given if cancellations received 3 days before class date. If you cancel at other times class recipes will be issued. Saturday Cooking Classes: From 1:00-2:30p.m. Limit 10 people. Cost is $25 per person, except where noted. All other registration policies are the same.

Mediterranean Fare –with Colin and Sara Riley. The joys of Mediterranean cuisine are easily brought to your table through the delights of these traditional favorites. Join them as they lead you to create Potato, Kale and Kalamata Soup, the ever-traditional Spanakopita, Falafel with Roasted Pepper Vinaigrette and Vegetable Salad completed by the favorite dessert of Baklava. Great flavors to enjoy anytime! Monday, April 15

Asian Spring Salads— with Linda Coker. Salads always speak to us of the bounty of spring with freshness and exotic flavors made simple for the occasion. Join Linda as she adds her favorite flair to Teriyaki Chicken Salad, Spinach Salad with Shrimp, Mango and Red Onion with Orange Vinaigrette, Thai Style Beef Salad, Cold Soba Noodle Salad and Spicy Peanut Cabbage Slaw. Wednesday, April 17

Spring Flavors— with Colin and Sara Riley. Colin and Sara share their culinary skill making it easy to create French inspired delights for your guests in your own kitchen! Welcome Spring with Lentil Soup with onions and garlic chives, Asparagus and Lobster Salad, Roasted Lamb loin with Sauteed Ramps and New Potatoes with Red Wine Truffle Sauce and a delightful Frozen Souffle. Let your taste buds sing. Monday, April 22

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta— with Linda Coker. Bring the street celebration of Mexico to your party as you enjoy a carnival of flavor with Linda as she shares Spicy Beef Nachos, Fresh Corn Salad with Black Beans and Tomatoes and a refreshing Pina Colada Smoothie. Get ready to take the Fiesta Home for your party! NOTE: class begins at 1 p.m.; limit 10 students; $25 per person. Saturday, April 27

Savory Soups for Spring with Sandi Knapp—We can never forget the beauty of soups to carry us through every season and spring is no exception! From savory to simple, Sandi will make it all so easy to enjoy Potato Soup with Shrimp, Italian Lentil Soup, Santa Fe Style Tortilla Soup, Classic Minestrone, Southern Style Beef Vegetable Soup, Chicken Soup Provencal and of course Fennel Soda Bread for dipping. Monday, April 29

Sophisticated Entertaining is Simply Spring—with Carol Hiebert. From the ease of a weeknight meal to the delight of a weekend party this evening will not disappoint. Salad of Spring Greens with Shallot Vinaigrette, Port Medallions with Mustard Caper Sauce, Smashed New Potatoes with Garlic and Goat Cheese, Oven-Roasted Rhubarb Sauce. Your weeknight meals will never be the same. Tuesday, April 30

Springtime Elegance— with Colin & Sara Riley. Expect exquisite culinary delights from Colin & Sara as they prepare Spring Greens Soup, Crab Cakes with aioli and herb salad, Pan roasted Trout with asparagus and hollandaise sauce completed with Crostada with Butterscotch and Vanilla bean Whipped Cream. Complete bliss for any occasion. Monday, May 6

Perfectly Pasta Sauces—with Sandi Knapp. Transform any pasta with the perfectly complementary sauce. Sandi will convert the ordinary noodle to extraordinary as she creates Penne with Vodka Sauce, Pasta with Pinot Grigio and Seafood, Rigatoni with Steak Sauce: Baked Ziti with Mornay, Sausage and Fennel, Orchiette with Wild Mushroom Sauce, and Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions. Monday, May 13

Wok Essentials for Everybody—with Gretchen Norton. This class is a real opportunity to create your Asian favorites. Gretchen shares her talents for the fundamentals of the wonderful wok with tonight’s menu of Garlic Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Elegant Stir Fry Veggies, Fried Rice, Pot stickers with Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce and No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake will fulfill the need for sure! Wednesday, May 15

Graduation Gala—with Linda Coker. Farewell to the fond days of youth! It’s time to celebrate success and Linda will help you deliver! Add to your party repertoire with Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce, Chicken Breasts with Olive and Caper Butter and a Mediterranean Chop Salad. Success never tasted so sweet. NOTE: Class begins at 1 p.m.; limit 10 students; $25. Per person. Saturday, May 18

Tex-Mex Goes Paleo—with Margaret Cordill. Spring will sizzle with the flavors south of the border as Margaret continues to keep the Paleo diet hot, hot, hot with variety for all! Flavor and fun will entice anyone , serving Poblano Chili Rellenos, Pico de Verde Spice over Chicken, Cuban Style "Rice" with Smoked Paprika and Bacon, Chipotle Roasted Baby Carrots and Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies. Monday, May 20

Picnic Party Take-Alongs —with Linda Coker. Summer wouldn’t be the same without potluck picnics. Add a new twist to some summer classics as Linda shares a flavorful combination of Apricot Chicken Salad, Gazpacho Pasta Salad, Tri-Color Mexican Bean Salad, Carolina Sweet Potato Salad and finish with delightful Ice Cream Cupcakes. Let the joys of summer begin! Wednesday, May 22

Sunday Brunch with Café Pasqual’s—with Carol Hiebert.Transport yourself to Santa Fe, New Mexico and become inspired by the beauty of Café Pasqual’s famous restaurant! Their beautiful cookbook is the inspiration behind Carol’s delightful brunch menu. Chilled Avocado Soup with Chipotle Cream, Jicama and Orange Salsa, Green Chili Waffles with Eggs, Sausage Gravy with Homemade Chorizo, Pineapple Carpaccio with Hibiscus Flower Sorbet. Delightfull! Now set the table. Wednesday, May 29

Summer Southern Style—with Sandi Knapp. The bounty of Southern cuisine inspires us to venture into simple tradition. Join Sandi as she takes us through regional favorites of Creamy Sweet Potato Soup, Shrimp and Grits Tarts, Chicken Etouffee, Well Dressed Cole Slaw and Pecan Pie Cake. The south never tasted so good! Monday, June 3

Bread Baking "101" – with Virginia Teas Gill. It’s always a joy to welcome back a teacher that adds simplicity to the love of bread baking. Virginia will broaden our understanding of technique, proofing, kneading, shaping and basic recipes providing the foundation for "101" Baking. Enjoy variations of Classic French Baguette, Rustic No-Knead Boule, Delicious Whole Wheat Sandwich bread and Traditional dinner rolls. Enjoy the delights and aroma of baking in your home—you really can! Wednesday, June 5

Summer Main Dishes in a Snap—with Carol Hiebert. Fresh summer vegetables and leftover meats from the grill will make any weeknight meal an easy new delight. Join Carol as she creates Salmon Panzanella with Green Beans, Chicken with Slow-Roasted Tomato Sauce, Carol’s favorite Grilled Pork Tenderloin transformed into Pork with Poblano Chili, Grapes and Cracked Pepper; Corn and Calabactias (Zucchini) Salad with Oven-Toasted Flour Tortillas, Tortellini with Garden Vegetables and Strawberries in a Sea of Mango. Monday, June 10

One Dish Chicken Wonders—with Sandi Knapp. Enjoy the leisure of summer while making easy scrumptious meals to entertain friends and family. Sandi always delivers and tonight will be no exception as she shares Chicken with Vidalia Onion Sauce; Chicken Rogan Josh; Chicken and Barley Risotto with Greens; Orange Glazed Chicken and Summer Chicken Caq au Vin. Gather your friends and enjoy. Monday, June 17

Carefree Summer Entertaining—with Linda Coker. Enjoy simple delights as Linda teaches Baking en Papillote with a light version of Chicken with Fennel, Carrot and Orange; Pasta with Summer Vegetable Sauce and a Guilt Free Light Tiramisu. Light and Low Fat really can be easy and still packed with flavor! NOTE: Class begins at 1 p.m.; limit 10 students; $25 per person. Saturday, June 22

Breakfast, the Paleo Way—with Margaret Cordill. Welcome the morning with the diversity of Paleo foods and flavors. Margaret treats us to her family favorites as she whips up Creamy Chocolate Avocado Smoothie using Cocoa and Almond Milk; Banana Nut Porridge with Coconut Milk; Spring Onion, Rosemay and Garlic Spaghetti Squash Latkes; Savory Breakfast Casserole and Morning Glory Muffins. Monday, June 24

Summer at the Uptown Farmer’s Market—with Carol Hiebert. Early summer produce abounds at the Farmer’s Market. Join Carol for a Garlic Press favorite class as you shop in our Uptown Normal market, meet local farmers, then return to the classroom for a meal made from the fresh produce you helped select. We never know the dishes, but we promise a full dinner—salad through dessert. If you haven’t taken this class before, it showcases what we love about a Midwest summer. MEET AT THE STORE AT 3:30 TO SHOP THE MARKET. Tuesday, June 25

Simply Sandwiches for a Summer Picnic—with Linda Coker. Forget the grill and pack a sandwich for a picnic that’s filled with fresh delight. Linda will share a variety of delicious choices starting with a Muffaletta Calzone; a BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Slaw; a fresh Caprese BLT and an Easy Po’Boy. Which will you choose? NOTE; Class begins at 1 p.m.; limit 10 students; $25 per person. Saturday, June 29