Private Cooking Events in Chicago: What to Expect at Cooking Skills & Social
- Manager Talon
- Mar 5
- 4 min read
Looking for a unique way to celebrate a birthday, host a corporate team building event, or bring friends and family together? At Cooking Skills & Social, our private events are designed to be interactive, relaxed, and memorable.
Instead of a traditional dinner or event venue, guests get to cook, learn, collaborate, and enjoy the experience together in our hands-on kitchen environment.
Cooking Skills & Social hosts private cooking events in Chicago for corporate teams, birthdays, client appreciation events, and group celebrations. Our hands-on cooking experiences combine learning, collaboration, and great food, making them one of the most unique team building activities in the Chicago area.
Whether you're planning a corporate outing, client appreciation event, birthday celebration, anniversary, or group gathering, our events are built to bring people together through food and fun.
Here’s what the typical flow of a private event looks like at Cooking Skills & Social.
Step 1: Submit an Event Inquiry
The process begins by submitting a private event inquiry through our website. When completing the inquiry form, guests provide a few key details including:
• Preferred event date
• Desired start time
• Minimum or estimated guest count
• Type of event (corporate, birthday, celebration, etc.)
Once we receive your request, a member of our team will reach out to schedule a quick call to go over event details, answer questions, and learn more about the type of experience you're looking for.
After confirming the details, we will send an invoice for the event deposit to secure your requested date. Once the deposit is completed, your event is officially booked.
Following confirmation, our team will send menu selections and event format options for you to choose from.
Step 2: Event Format & Menu Selection
Cooking Skills & Social offers several event formats designed for different group sizes and experiences. Once your event date is secured, our team will send over menu options based on your event type and guest count.
Below are a few examples of the types of events we offer.
Chef-Led Cooking Event
A guided, hands-on cooking experience where guests prepare dishes together with instruction from our chef. This format is ideal for smaller, more intimate groups who want to focus on learning techniques while enjoying a collaborative cooking experience.
Example- American Menu
• Brussels Sprouts & Bacon Salad
• Beef-Wrapped Asparagus
• Herbed Potato Gnocchi
Group Size: 6–15 guests
Pricing Range: $89–$109 per guest
Cooking Skills Challenge Event
Our most interactive format, where guests work in teams to prepare dishes in a fun and friendly culinary competition. This format is perfect for larger groups, corporate team building, and high-energy gatherings.
Many companies also book our corporate team building cooking events to bring their teams together in a fun and interactive environment.
Example-Italian Menu
• Wilted Greens with Grapefruit Olive Oil Dressing
• Tortellini with Brown Butter & Grape Tomato
• Pappardelle Pasta with Garlic, Pepper & Cream Sauce
Group Size: 15–70 guests
Pricing Range: $89–$109 per guest
Client Appreciation Event
Designed for businesses looking to host clients, partners, or employees in a relaxed but elevated setting. These events often feature a chef-led meal experience that allows guests to enjoy great food while networking and socializing.
Example Menu
• White Wine Poached Chicken
• Rushmore Chopped Salad
• Roasted Yukon Gold Potato Vesuvio
Group Size: 16–40 guests
Pricing Range: $69–$109 per guest
Menus can be adjusted and customized depending on the event format and guest experience you're looking to create.
Step 3: Arrival & Welcome Reception
When guests arrive at Cooking Skills & Social, they are welcomed into our kitchen space and given time to get comfortable before the event begins.
Guests typically have 20–30 minutes to mingle and settle in, enjoying refreshments such as:
• Hibiscus Tea
• Sparkling Water
• Soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite)
• Water
For corporate groups, this is also a great time to give a short welcome speech or presentation before the cooking experience begins.
Step 4: The Cooking Experience
This is the highlight of the event.
Guests roll up their sleeves and jump into a hands-on culinary experience guided by our professional chef.
Depending on the event format, guests may be:
• Working together in a collaborative cooking class
• Participating in a Cooking Skills Challenge competition
• Preparing dishes step-by-step while learning new techniques
This part of the event is where the energy really builds. Guests are chopping, sautéing, plating, and working together in a relaxed and fun environment.
No cooking experience is required — our events are designed to be approachable, engaging, and entertaining for everyone.
Step 5: Sit Down & Enjoy the Meal
After the cooking is complete, guests gather to enjoy the dishes they’ve prepared together.
For challenge-style events, dishes are often presented buffet-style so guests can sample what each team created. For chef-led events, guests enjoy the meal they worked together to prepare. It’s a great moment to relax, talk about the cooking experience, and enjoy the meal as a group.
Step 6: Wrap Up the Experience
Most private events at Cooking Skills & Social run around three hours, giving guests plenty of time to cook, eat, and socialize.
By the end of the experience, guests leave with:
• New cooking skills
• A shared group experience
• A memorable and unique event
Host Your Next Private Event at Cooking Skills & Social
Our events are perfect for:
• Corporate Team Building
• Client Appreciation Events
• Birthday Celebrations
• Friend & Family Gatherings
• Anniversaries
• Holiday Parties
If you're looking for a unique private event in Chicago, Cooking Skills & Social offers a hands-on experience your guests will remember long after the meal is finished.
To learn more or submit an event inquiry, visit
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