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Turkey Roasting 101

You won't be a turkey in the kitchen with one of these cooking classes under your belt.

Thursday Nov 23, 2006.     By Centerstage Staff

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After reviewing the list of my family's traditional Thanksgiving dishes and honing in on which ones I'd have no trouble handling, I was left with a pathetically short list: heat the rolls, put the gherkins and radishes on a plate and open canned cranberry sauce.

I clearly need a crash course in Thanksgiving meal prep, and I've found a number of Chicago classes that seem to fit the bill. I just hope marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes make the menu.

Don't be a turkey: Be sure to make reservations well in advance.

Beverly's Pantry South Siders have their pick of demonstration classes at the gourmet foods store. Turkey 101, held Wednesday, Nov. 15, will school you on turkey roasting basics and answer the age-old question: To stuff, or not to stuff? The Great Sides class on Tuesday, Nov. 21, will leave you well equipped to make creamed corn with bacon and blue cheese. 7-9:30 p.m., $40.

Calphalon Culinary Center If you're low on skills and funds, you'll want to make a beeline to Calphalon's free turkey demos, held at 10, 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Nov. 11. You won't get your hands dirty, but you will get tips on stuffing, prepping and keeping it moist. If you're a skill-less Rockefeller, sign up for the $300 Thanksgiving 101 class from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 18; you'll learn how to make gourmet dishes like marscapone-whipped potatoes.

Carlucci If you've got the turkey prep down-pat, this could be the class for you. You'll focus on nothing but sides and sweets from noon-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at this Downers Grove restaurant. Hosted by chefs Andy Webber and Edward Schoenleiber, the $45 class will school you in the ways of apple, walnut and Italian sausage stuffing, baked asparagus with prosciutto and parmesan cheese, pumpkin creme brulee and more.

Chef Cali Afraid your outdated kitchen can't handle an updated dinner? Chef Cali's in-home class may be just the solution. Generally two hours in length, Thanksgiving Cooking 101 takes you through turkey purchasing and roasting, and teaches you how to whip up salad, mashed potatoes, two sides, stuffing and pumpkin pie in the very spot that you'll be making it on the big day—your kitchen. Available 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; call to discuss fees.

Chopping Block (Lincoln Square): You'll need to lay down a decent amount of money for this hands-on Thanksgiving Workshop, held Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 7-9:30 p.m., but you'll learn all the skills you need, from turkey roasting (and carving!) to gravy making and pie baking. If $150 is too much to plunk down, check out the $100 Thanksgiving Feast demos on Nov. 11, 17 and 18, with a $40 vegetarian demo on Nov. 15.

Chopping Block (Merchandise Mart): Go hands-on or just watch; either way, you'll be prepped to make one mean turkey. The $175 Focus on Thanksgiving class, held from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, will have you rolling up your sleeves and learning how to make apple pie. Thanksgiving Feast Demos, at $100 a pop, are offered Nov. 11, 12, 15 and 18, with a $40 vegetarian demo on Nov. 13.

Eli's Cheesecake World and Cafe: You won't leave with a solution to keeping potatoes lump-free, but you will know how to make two decadent cheesecakes—pumpkin and apple cinnamon walnut—after attending Eli's Thanksgiving Cheesecakes Class from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. $45.

Gallery 37 Getting a jumpstart on the season, World Kitchen at Gallery 37 offers the unintimidating Traditional Thanksgiving Basics class on Saturday, Nov. 4. Running from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the emphasis here is on keeping things hassle-free. In addition to tackling the turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie, you'll get tips on planning, shopping and timing. $30.

Marche You may spend more than $35 to dine at Marche, but that's all you'll need to spend to learn from the man behind the menu. Chef Paul Wildermuth's Thanksgiving class, held Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m., will cover dishes like smoked salmon on toast, sweet potato casserole, the bird (complete with wild rice-chorizo stuffing and brioche croutons) and pumpkin creme pie.

Prairie Kitchens North suburbanites can stick close to home while perfecting their at-home meal with this Thanksgiving Feast class. Held in Mount Prospect from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, the $55 class will teach even novices how to make creamy butternut squash soup, praline yam souffle and more, and send you on your way with a handy grocery shopping list.

Sur La Table There will be no need to worry about what will grace votre table after taking the impress-'em Bon Appetit Thanksgiving class on Monday, Nov. 13. Open to any skill level, you'll elevate your table with dishes like fennel, proscuitto and pinenut stuffing. If sides are a pain in your side, learn to make candied orange peel haricot verts at the Sensational Thanksgiving Sides class on Thursday, Nov. 16. 6:30 p.m.; $65 and $55, respectively.

Treasure Island Foods You can't beat this bargain. Fork over $15 for more than a forkful of savory sides at Treasure Island's Thanksgiving Sides demonstration class, held Tuesday, Nov. 14. You'll learn how to make impressive dishes like souffle served in roasted pumpkins, fresh cranberry salad and more.

Weber Grill (Schaumburg) Wish you lived in a perfect world, one where you could cook a turkey without making a mess of the kitchen? Weber Grill to the rescue! You'll learn how to cook your turkey on the grill at this class, held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. And if you like big meals in the morning, you're in luck: You get to try everything that's made. $75.

Wooden Spoon Veggies, rejoice! Special care can go into a turkey-less menu, too. The hands-on Meat-Free Thanksgiving class, held Sunday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m., will teach you how to make dishes like wild mushroom and cognac tarts. Meat eaters can learn how to brine their turkey and roast their veggies at the hands-on Thanksgiving Workshop Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. $65 and $75, respectively.