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Associated Solutions Takes on a Corporate Cooking Challenge
Associtated Solutions Came Into Take Our Private Event Cooking Skills Challenge
Manager Talon
Jul 82 min read
Save 50% On Private Events This Summer!
Book a qualifying private cooking event by July 10, 2026, and save 50%. Perfect for team building, birthdays, company outings, and groups of 12–40+ guests
Manager Talon
Jul 63 min read


Corporate Team Building in Chicago: Why Companies Are Trading Conference Rooms for Kitchens
Looking for the best corporate team building activity in Chicago? At Cooking Skills & Social, we've hosted teams of 10 to 100 in hands-on cooking experiences that get people collaborating, laughing, and actually enjoying their team event. Here's what to expect.
Manager Talon
Jun 266 min read


Cooking Social Club: Homemade Fresh Basil Pesto
Fresh basil pesto is one of those recipes that proves great cooking doesn't have to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients, this vibrant sauce can transform pasta, sandwiches, grilled proteins, and roasted vegetables while bringing fresh, homemade flavor to any meal. At Cooking Skills & Social, pesto is one of our favorite foundational recipes because it teaches a simple but valuable lesson: quality ingredients and proper technique matter. We often use garlic conf
Chef Alex
Jun 262 min read


The Quiet Power of a Private Cooking Class
Six people. One kitchen. The whole place to themselves. That's a different kind of night — and it's one of our favorites to host. This week, the HR team from Hydro Aluminum Metals USA came in for a private cooking class. No shared space, no strangers, no distractions. Just six people, our chef, and an evening built entirely around them. They chose the Japanese Menu. And they nailed it. What the Hydro Aluminum Team Cooked The night ran through three courses, start to finish: →
Manager Talon
May 223 min read


AdventHealth Chicago Rolls Up Their Sleeves for an Italian Cooking Class
AdventHealth Team Building Event At Cooking Skills & Social! When the team from AdventHealth here in Chicago reached out about bringing 40 of their team members in for a proper cooking class, we were thrilled to roll out the red carpet — or in this case, the rolling pins. What unfolded was one of our favorite team building events of the season: hands-on, full of laughter, and packed with seriously good food. A Private Space, All to Themselves To give a group of this size the
Manager Talon
May 142 min read


Private Event Spotlight: AMPS Power Solutions Takes On the Italian Challenge
There's a specific kind of energy that takes over a room when forty people put on matching aprons and chef hats at the same time. The before-and-after is almost cinematic — one minute it's a group of coworkers loosely milling around with a drink in hand, the next it's a kitchen brigade. That's the moment we live for, and it's exactly the moment we got last week when the team from AMPS Power Solutions walked in with 40 of their crew, ready to take on our Cooking Skills Challen
Manager Talon
May 74 min read


Mastering Homemade Enchiladas with Chicken Tinga and Red Sauce
Enchiladas are a beloved dish that brings bold flavors and comforting textures to the table. Making them at home allows you to control every ingredient and customize the dish to your taste. This guide walks you through preparing chicken tinga enchiladas paired with a rich red sauce, offering a satisfying meal that’s both authentic and approachable. Chicken tinga enchiladas with red sauce and melted cheese Preparing the Chicken Tinga Filling The heart of these enchiladas is th
Chef Alex
May 53 min read


Best Place to Join Sushi Making Classes in Chicago
Sushi is one of those foods that feels impossible to make at home — until someone shows you how. A good sushi making class breaks down the mystery behind perfectly seasoned rice, clean knife cuts, and tight rolls, and it turns out it's a lot more approachable than most people think. If you're searching for the best sushi making classes in Chicago, here's what to look for and why hands-on experience makes all the difference. Private Sushi Class At In Home Venue! What Makes a G
Manager Talon
May 13 min read


Cooking Social Club: Elevate Your Summer BBQ with Savory Street Style Elote Recipe
Summer BBQs in Chicago are a time to gather, enjoy good company, and savor bold flavors. One dish that captures the spirit of street food and adds a fresh twist to your grill lineup is Street Style Elote. This Mexican-inspired corn dish combines smoky, buttery corn kernels with spices, creamy cheese, and fresh cilantro. It’s simple to prepare but packed with flavor, making it a perfect side or snack for your next outdoor party. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or loo
Chef Alex
Apr 283 min read


Cooking Social Club: Deliciously Light Calamari Steak Recipe for a Fresh Appetizer
Calamari steaks offer a quick, light, and fresh start to any meal. Their tender texture and subtle flavor make them a perfect appetizer that feels both elegant and simple. This recipe highlights how to prepare calamari steaks with minimal ingredients and fuss, delivering a dish that is bursting with freshness and just the right amount of seasoning. Seared calamari steak strips with garlic and fresh herbs Preparing Calamari Steaks for Cooking Before cooking, it’s essential to
Chef Alex
Apr 223 min read


When Architects Take Over Our Kitchen: Inside a Night Out at Cooking Skills & Social
DLA Architects Cooking Skills Challenge Group Photo There's a moment in every great team-building event where you can feel the room shift. The small talk dies down, the aprons go on, and suddenly forty-plus people who were politely nodding at each other twenty minutes ago are yelling across a kitchen about who has the ginger. That moment is the whole point — and it's exactly what happened when DLA Architects walked through our doors this past Friday with 44 of their team memb
Chef Alex
Apr 204 min read


How 20 People, One Kitchen, and a Little Friendly Competition Brought a Team Closer Together
Team building has a reputation problem. Most people hear the phrase and immediately picture a forced trust fall or a conference room icebreaker that nobody asked for. The truth is, when it's done right, team building doesn't feel like team building at all — it feels like a genuinely great time. That's exactly what happened when the team at J Krug came through our doors on Easter Monday, April 4th, for a private cooking experience built just for them. The J Krug Group In To Ta
Manager Talon
Apr 153 min read


The Benefits of Group Cooking Classes: Why More Teams and Friend Groups Are Booking Private Events
Group cooking classes have exploded in popularity over the last few years — and it's easy to see why. They're social, hands-on, and unlike most group activities, everyone walks away with something real: a great meal, new skills, and memories that stick. Whether you're planning a corporate team building event, a birthday celebration, or a night out with friends, a group cooking class offers a unique mix of benefits you won't find anywhere else. Let's break down what makes thes
Manager Talon
Apr 83 min read


BYOB Cooking Classes: The Ultimate Team Building Private Event for Large Groups in the Chicago Area
We hosted Tek Systems for a cooking skills challenge team building private event for 20 people. Everyone have fun, learned new cooking skills, and enjoyed there time here with us.
Manager Talon
Apr 13 min read
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