4-Part Cooking Series

The Chicago Mama’s Kitchen Cooking Series

Individual Events:

Foundations of Flavor: Sofrito & Puerto Rican Rice

Comfort in a Pot: Basic Stews

Fresh & Bright: Salads, Dressings & Chimichurri

Roll, Fold & Feast: An Empanada-Making Experience

Duration: 60–75 minutes Skill Level: All levels welcome

What’s Included:

Guided, hands-on instruction

All ingredients and supplies

Printed recipes to take home

A full meal to enjoy during class

Perfect for team building, celebrations, date nights, gifts, or simply learning something new while having fun.

Foundations of Flavor: Sofrito & Puerto Rican Rice

Event Description: Every great dish starts with a strong foundation.

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to make sofrito from scratch—the flavor base at the heart of many Puerto Rican and Caribbean dishes—and use it to prepare classic Puerto Rican rice.

We’ll break down essential techniques like building layers of flavor, proper seasoning, and cooking rice with confidence. These are skills you’ll use again and again in your home kitchen.

Whether you’re brand new to cooking or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this class sets the tone for the entire series.

You’ll leave with:

A deeper understanding of foundational flavors

Recipes you can easily recreate at home

A delicious, satisfying meal

No experience necessary. Just come ready to cook, learn, and eat well.

Duration: 60–75 minutes Skill Level: All levels welcome

Event Description: Across Latin kitchens, stews are more than meals—they’re traditions passed down through patience, flavor, and care.

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to create Latin-inspired stews that are rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying. Building on the flavor foundations from Part One, we’ll focus on techniques like layering aromatics, slow simmering, and balancing spices to create depth without complexity.

You’ll explore how everyday ingredients come together to create dishes that feel soulful, nourishing, and meant to be shared. These are the kinds of meals that bring people to the table—and keep them there.

This class builds beautifully on Part One but is also welcoming and accessible on its own.

You’ll leave with:

Stew-building techniques rooted in Latin cooking traditions

Confidence in seasoning, simmering, and flavor balance

Adaptable recipes you can make your own at home

A warm, comforting meal to enjoy during class

All ingredients, supplies, and recipes are included. Just come ready to cook and be fed.

Book NOW.

Duration: 60–75 minutes Skill Level: All levels welcome

Event Description: Freshness is just as important as comfort.

In this hands-on class, we’ll focus on balance, brightness, and bold finishing flavors inspired by Latin kitchens. You’ll learn how to build vibrant salads, make dressings from scratch, and prepare a versatile chimichurri that brings everything on the plate to life.

This class is all about contrast—acid, fat, herbs, and seasoning—and how small adjustments can completely transform a dish. These techniques are simple, adaptable, and powerful tools you’ll use far beyond this class.

Whether you’re joining the series here or continuing from earlier sessions, this class stands confidently on its own.

You’ll leave with:

Confidence in building balanced salads and dressings

A go-to chimichurri you can use on vegetables, meats, and grains

Techniques for adjusting flavor without recipes

A fresh, satisfying meal to enjoy during class

All ingredients, supplies, and recipes are included. Just bring your appetite and curiosity.

Book Now.

Roll, Fold & Feast: An empanada making experience This final class celebrates everything we’ve learned—bringing skill, flavor, and community together at the table. Duration: 60–75 minutes Skill Level: All levels welcome

Event Description: This is where everything comes together.

Roll, Fold & Feast is a hands-on empanada-making experience inspired by Latin home cooking traditions and designed to be fun, interactive, and deeply satisfying. You’ll learn how to work with dough, prepare fillings, and master folding techniques—then cook and enjoy your empanadas together.

This class is about more than technique. It’s about gathering, sharing, and celebrating the joy of making food with your hands.

Whether you’ve joined us for the full series or are jumping in for the first time, this class stands on its own and welcomes everyone.

You’ll leave with:

Confidence working with empanada dough

Folding techniques you can recreate at home

Recipes to continue the tradition

A full empanada feast enjoyed during class

All ingredients, supplies, and recipes are included. Come hungry and ready to roll.