Nancy welcomes you into her Naperville home with a big smile and warm heart where you will begin your culinary adventure with an appetizer of cheeses, meats, crackers and nuts. After getting to know each other, head to her large, open-plan kitchen to make some delicious Chicago-style deep dish pizzas or handmade pasta from scratch (such as fettucine alfredo made from a compound milk sauce!) Learn how the sauce is made, how to combine meat and vegetables to top the pizza, and construct your pies. Please note that the dough will already be prepared since it needs time to rise. Once the pizzas have started baking in the oven (or the pasta dough is resting), Nancy will show you how to put together a delicious salad, a combination of fresh vegetables on a bed of crisp lettuce. This will be followed by making a fresh, smooth tasting dressing for your salad as well as a dessert. Your Chicago-style deep dish pizza or pasta making class lasts about 1.5 hours after which you will enjoy the fresh salad and dig into the pizzas or pasta you helped prepare. Note that if you don't state pizza in the "Dietary Preferences" field of your booking, Nancy defaults to pasta. Share your meal with Nancy and enjoy it over wine or beer while seated at her dining table. Your cooking lesson includes printed recipes that you can take with you so you can recreate your pizza or pasta back home.
Please indicate in your booking whether you would like to make fresh pasta or pizza; if not, Nancy will default to fresh pasta.
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
Appetizer of a platter of meats, cheeses, vegetables and dipsChicago-style deep dish pizza or fresh pasta such as tagliatelle with pesto or fettucine in alfredo sauceFresh salad with a homemade vinaigretteFlourless chocolate cakeTea or coffeeNancy is one of those warm and wonderful people who make you feel at home as soon as you meet her! Nancy is a cooking instructor at Sur la Table and has been cooking for as long as she can remember. She loves cooking for friends and entertaining and is excited to share her cuisine and culture with guests from around the world. Having lived in Europe for many years, the idea of having travelers dine with her in her home is very thrilling to Nancy! Nancy has tasted a large variety of pizzas in Chicago and knows what makes for a good pie - she is eager to share her knowledge of Chicago's famous deep dish style pizza or Italian American pasta and prepare it with you! Come prepared for a morning or evening of food, laughter and, hopefully, new friendship.
"We had a wonderful time doing this online cooking class! Nancy was knowledgeable, helpful, interesting and kind throughout our class. She took time to understand our experience level to tailor the class to our skills. She also took time to get to know us, which was much appreciated. We all ended up with successful pizzas!!
Be mindful that you do have the make the dough ahead of time, but it was very easy!"
"This is NOT a ‘tourist’ trap. This is the real deal. We learned (and then ate) a 4 course meal made with fruit, herbs and veggies from the garden, fresh chicken (from their chickens) - and let’s not forget the best green beans of my life, and (of course) rice from their farm. Everything was cooked in home made coconut oil made by their neighbor (ummm yes I’m bringing a few bottles home with me). That was just the tip of the iceberg!
We were given a tour of the family compound and had all the temples and lifestyle explained to us. A tour of the garden - and then were given a treat of a traditional Balinese dance from her niece and experienced her ‘hobby’ which is weaving with the hand died yarns from her garden (yes I bought one of these exquisite pieces to hang in my house).
I experienced Soooooo much love and warmth and generosity. This is the best thing I have done in Bali so far! Do this first so you can then approach the culture with a foundatiinal understanding as you move forward with your days.
Oh, and they have a super cute brand new guest house with an infinity pool overlooking the rice gardens. I’ll definitely stay here in the future."
"Fantastic experience, Nancy was a wonderful host and teacher. Me and my daughter were looking for a different experience ro spend some time together. Initially I was going to book a similar experience in Downtown Chicago (group class) but they didn't have availability for the days we were looking. An agent suggested this experience, EXCELLENT IDEA. Would recommend to anyone looking for a more up close and personal culinary experience.
Thanks Nancy!"
"Everyone on our team had a blast and those that cooked/baked loved the flavor of the food. We appreciate it so much! "
