Okay, so you've mastered the stir-fry and can boil water with the pros, but do you have the culinary chops to trot out a turkey with all the fixins on Thanksgiving Day? If the idea of carving the perfect bird has you trembling in your boots, don't fret; plenty of caterers, restaurants and culinary schools offer Thanksgiving-geared classes to help you strut your stuffing without the stress. Class sizes are limited, so be sure to register in advance.
Beverly's Pantry
Expecting a smaller crowd? "Turkey for Two" on November 6 offers menu ideas that won't have you eating leftovers till '09. And if you can't look another green-bean casserole in the eye, check out "Twist on Turkey Sides" November 20 for imaginative new takes on traditional fare. Get a head start on your pies with the "Make and Take" hands-on dessert class November 25. All classes 7-9:30 p.m.; $40.
ChefCali
It's easy to coordinate stuffing, potatoes, pie and a 20-pound bird when you've got dueling wall-mounted ovens, but what about those of us forced to work in cramped apartment kitchens? ChefCali offers a wide variety of one-on-one classes in your own home, including a Thanksgiving 101 that covers all the essential dishes plus menu planning, shopping and storage. Available daily. Call for pricing.
Chopping Block
This cooking school has multiple Thanksgiving-themed classes at two locations. "A Traditional Thanksgiving" trains you in tempting dishes like sage stuffing, Brussels sprouts with maple mustard glaze and glazed root vegetables for a cool Benjamin. "Vegetarian Thanksgiving" provides a full menu of cruelty-free comfort food like quinoa stuffing, caramelized onion gratin and sweet potato pie for $40. If you feel like you need a full dress rehearsal for the big night, there's a hands-on class for $150 that gives you the chance prepare the whole shebang. If you're strictly looking for a primer in pies, the $40 "Harvest Pies" covers apple cranberry, pumpkin and a chocolate bourbon pecan that will have you truly thankful for this culinary institution.
Lincoln Square
Traditional: November 16 and 21 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Vegetarian: November 15 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and November 18 from 7-9:30 p.m.
Harvest Pies: November 9 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and November 24 from 7-9:30 p.m.
Hands-On: November 12, 15 and 23 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Merchandise Mart
Traditional: November 16 and 22 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Vegetarian: November 10 from 6-8:30 p.m. and November 23 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Harvest Pies: November 8 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and November 25 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Hands-On: November 9, 12, 19 and 22 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cooking Fools
Wicker Park's catering and cooking school offers a two-and-a-half-hour Thanksgiving 101 class focusing on the basics plus shopping, planning and presentation. Cooking Fools also offers wine for purchase by the glass during their classes, to better replicate your actual cooking conditions. November 12 from 6:30-9 p.m.; $75.
Flavour Cooking School
West suburbanites can head over to Flavour in Forest Park where Chef Denise Norton demonstrates traditional Thanksgiving feast preparation from top to bottom in four hours, covering the meat and potatoes plus a pumpkin mocha tart. November 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $90.
Fox & Obel
Executive Chef Michael Grieb demonstrates a fool-proof brining technique for moist turkey the old fashioned way, plus a few contemporary interpretations like Cajun-style cornbread tasso stuffing. You'll also pick up recipes for spinach and goat cheese-stuffed squash and cider-glazed Brussels sprouts with bacon, plus wine and a taste of dessert gratis. Grab your ingredients from the market on your way out of class and save 10% at the luxurious Fox and Obel market. November 12 from 6-7:30 p.m.; $50.
Gallery 37 World Kitchen
At only $30, the four-hour "Thanksgiving Memories" at Gallery 37 is the most affordable game in town. This basics class walks you through shopping and timing and provides recipes to the traditional favorites. November 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar
This swank new West Loop eatery, located in the old North Western Railway power plant, invites you into the kitchen for a crash course in turkey roasting and sides with Executive Chef Jeff Mauro, of Charlie Trotter's fame. Sample spoonbread, braised red cabbage and dried fruit couscous accompanied by a glass of wine. November 8, 11 a.m.; $40.
Sur La Table
At first blush, "Thanksgiving: From A to Z" at Sur la Table appears to be a hands-on basics class...until you glance at the menu. Cranberry kumquat compote and porcini mushroom soup with truffle cream are sure to earn you an ovation from even the most effete epicurean. Chef Barbara Bell shows you the ropes and then some in this hands-on class. November 13, 6:30 p.m.; $69.
Wooden Spoon
The Wooden Spoon is holding three specialty hands-on classes right before the big day, letting you get a jump on time-gobbling (pun fully intended) sides and pies. "Take Home Sides" on November 25 at 6:30 p.m. will arm you with enough wheat rolls, sweet-potato casserole, caramelized green beans, cranberry jelly and sausage stuffing to feed 10. "Thanksgiving Pies to Take Home" on November 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. will send you home with pumpkin, apple and chocolate bourbon pecan. And if you're looking for a hands-on run of the whole feast, take the Thanksgiving Workshop November 22 or 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All classes $125.
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Be thankful for Centerstage Chicago's Thanksgiving Guide
Eat Out ~ Drink on the Eve
Buy a Pie ~ Volunteer and Give Back
Eat at O'Hare ~ Munch Near Midway
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