Fire Up Father’s Day—Shop Kitchen , Bar, & BBQ Must-Haves!

Better Than Take Out – Small Plates Cooking Class

Saturday, August 1
$99.00

In this intimate, technique‑driven cooking class, Chef Matt guides just twelve guests through a flavorful lineup of “Take-Out Favorites” inspired small plates. Working in pairs, you’ll chop, fold, sauté, and season your way through a menu designed to build real kitchen confidence while keeping the experience fun, social, and delicious.

You’ll kick things off with a bold Spicy Salmon Appetizer, learning how to balance heat, acidity, and freshness. Then dive into the comforting layers of a Pot Sticker Casserole, where Chef Matt breaks down the flavors and textures that make dumplings irresistible. You’ll master crisp‑yet‑creamy Crab Rangoon, and finish with beautifully folded Green Onion Pancakes—a perfect blend of technique and creativity.

Chef: Matt Zagorski

Menu:
Spicy Salmon Appetizer
Pot Sticker Casserole
Crab Rangoon
Green Onion Pancakes

Participation Cooking Class: Aprons and workstations will be set up for you while your Chef-Instructor walks you through each course and giving you lots of tips and tricks along the way.

One glass of wine or beer is included with the event.  Additional glasses are available for purchase at the wine bar.

10% off all regularly priced merchandise during the event.

Tickets

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Better Than Take Out - Small Plates Cooking Class
$ 99.00
8 available
Chef
Matt Zagorski
Matt Zagorski
Date and time
Saturday, August 1
6:00pm -
9:00pm
Location
The Joyful Gourmet
542 N Milwaukee Ave.
Libertyville, IL 60048
Cancellation Policy

If you cannot make your reservation, we do encourage you to attempt to find someone that would enjoy attending. We can only issue a credit for you to attend a future event (6 month expiration). Within 72 hours we are not able to offer a credit as we’ve already incurred food and help costs.

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Matt Zagorski

Chef Matt Zagorski has spent more than 20 years teaching Chicago-area cooks how to chop, sauté, whisk, and enjoy their time in a kitchen. A passionate and award‑winning chef, he’s earned over a dozen national pie‑making titles and even enjoyed a moment in the spotlight as a featured chef on the Food Network. Students appreciate Chef Matt’s upbeat energy, approachable recipes, and the way he instantly puts people at ease. Known for turning intimidating techniques into “Oh, I can totally do this” moments, he creates a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions, learning new skills, and having fun along the way. His classes blend culinary know‑how with stories from food history, food science, and the occasional pie‑related adventure. A proud career‑changer, Chef Matt left the corporate world to pursue his culinary training at Kendall College, a decision he jokingly refers to as the most delicious mid‑life crisis imaginable. He lives in Arlington Heights with his wife of more than 30 years, Mary, and their dog, Boomer. Their sons, Zach and Max, have grown up as mostly enthusiastic taste‑testers and lifelong beneficiaries of Dad’s “research and development.”

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