We try to create a french experience at its most authenticity, starting with the base of our business: the flour. All of our products are made in Chicago from scratch daily with the highest quality organic flour imported straight from the motherland, France. Be a guest at your own event and let us handle the logistics for you!
We offer three types of catering: drop off, on-site full service and at-home private Chef. Want to impress your guests at your next dinner party? Spend an evening with us and learn how to make gourmet French meals, bake delicious bread and sumptuous desserts!
We offer three types of catering: drop off, on-site full service and at-home private Chef. Want to impress your guests at your next dinner party? Spend an evening with us and learn how to make gourmet French meals, bake delicious bread and sumptuous desserts!
Services
Having completed his training in Paris, Chef Vincent yearned for experiences abroad and moved to Chicago in 2004. His passion for creating traditional French, family-style meals and one-bite appetizers with an artistic flair inspired him to open Cook Au Vin, french fusion cooking, and La Boulangerie, cafe-bakery, in Chicago.
A drop off catering, perfect when you want to entertain in style and effortless! We offer an affordable menu of french staples: croque croissant, salads, quiches, sandwiches, boards, appetizers, casseroles and pastries. We deliver the food to the location of your event, ready to be served and eaten, set it on the table and, package and organize to travel from our kitchen to your table.
As you may understand, we had to rethink our concept to make sure the classes and in safe conditions. Therefore, we are offering for now only private class, limited at 8 to 16 people maximum. Class lasts about 3 hours to 3 hours and half and takes place in the kitchen of Cook au Vin, 2256 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
Reviews (24)
Jeanine Bentley
Sep 08, 2020
Report
I purchased a cooking class for $240 last December 2019. I booked a class for March and that was cancelled due to the pandemic. I have emailed RaeAnn and Ryan and have been given short responses with no assistance on how to reschedule or get a refund. Their voicemail has been full for months. I have continued to email and I have not heard back since July 7th. I'm incredibly disappointed in the lack of communication and customer service. I'm appalled that they are not trying to keep customers informed during this time.
Susan M.
Jan 09, 2020
Report
This is a must do. My friends and I did the Bordeaux Menu on 1/8/2020 with Ryan and a number of other people.
It was a fantastic experience and exceeded our expectations. Ryan was able to manage all of us and get us all involved in the preparation of our meal.
We learned a lot of tips, had fun preparing the meal, got to wear chef's hats and aprons, and we all gathered around a table for a wonderful meal.
What a concept to get so many people together and then to have us all work together to prepare a larger meal, from appetizers through dessert. Ryan did a great job with us. Will be
It was a fantastic experience and exceeded our expectations. Ryan was able to manage all of us and get us all involved in the preparation of our meal.
We learned a lot of tips, had fun preparing the meal, got to wear chef's hats and aprons, and we all gathered around a table for a wonderful meal.
What a concept to get so many people together and then to have us all work together to prepare a larger meal, from appetizers through dessert. Ryan did a great job with us. Will be
Ali F.
Nov 08, 2019
Report
What an AMAZING experience! I came with 3 friends for a girl's night and we all had an absolute BLAST. There were about 16 attendees total, which was a good sized group for the location. We started off with about a half hour of mingling, getting setup with drinks (BYOB) and the provided fresh baked bread with assorted cheeses, then all gathered around the large U-shaped island that would be our workspace. As others have mentioned, this isn't a you-cook-everything for your meal type of experience, rather, every step is demonstrated by the instructor then a few people in the class will
Lisa B.
Oct 05, 2019
Report
Went here during the summer and it was blazing hot inside. Not sure if it's due to the 18-20 person class, or all the oven and skillets going on. Warning - this isn't a "get to learn how to cook everything on the menu" class. You take turns doing stuff, and you can actually miss a lot of what's going on. I wish I knew that beforehand otherwise I would have picked another location. However, if you're able to go with a majority of the class being your friends or booking a private class, I think it would make it more fun. It's BYOB and the instructor is fantastic
Bobbie B.
Sep 15, 2019
Report
Tim Schmidt
Jul 02, 2019
Report
Horrible Experience! We booked a class, and they canceled on us an hour later since the chef was sick. They wouldn't give a refund!!! They booked us in another class, but told us the class started at 7, when it really started at 6. The chef did a great job at the Elston location, but 17 attendees with no assistants in a cramped environment was dreaful. Food turned out amazing, but we didn't get to work on anything. Sur La Table is a far better experience- much nicer facility and far less crowded.
Kathryn W.
May 18, 2019
Report
Donna M.
Apr 27, 2019
Report
We took the Bavette Menu class on a Saturday at noon. It's scheduled for 12-4 however we were wrapping up our meal just after 3 which was nice. I've taken several "2 Hour Cooking Classes" atva place that rhymes with Bur La Mob and they're always longer. I don't mind spending extra time there but if you've never been it could be frustrating. So, Cook Au Vin doesn't do that. Mary was our chef and was amazing. There was bread, cheese and butter waiting when we arrived. It's a BYOB class so don't forget your wine!! Mary was on top of it throughout
Rob Y.
Feb 17, 2019
Report
If you want to learn a wee bit about cooking while having big fun with strangers who will share duties with you for an evening, I urge you to give this cooking class a try. You will learn a bit but now importantly, you will be treated to a pretty fair meal you helped to prepare. We had the salmon meal and it was wonderful.
I'm certain the other themes would be terrific as well.
I'm certain the other themes would be terrific as well.
Christine N.
Feb 01, 2019
Report
Disappointing and irresponsible sum up my experience with Cook Au Vin. I booked a cooking class for a Friday evening in February over 2 months in advance. 3 weeks before the scheduled class, I received an email stating that the class was canceled due to a "scheduling conflict." Seeing that this class was booked so far in advance, and the fact that it is NOT cheap, I responded to the email inquiring about compensation for this inconvenience. I received a reply back that they cannot refund me, and to look at the calendar to book a new class. Every single class was booked for a Friday and
Nektaria R.
Dec 14, 2018
Report
Shambavi K.
Sep 24, 2018
Report
This was the 1st time at a cooking class for me. We did the chicken fricassee menu. The chef was patient and took care to ensure we were on track with all the food. She was very patient with the group. You pair up and take on a task to help execute the meal....it could be prepping to cooking or both. Do not expect to come in here to so do everything start to finish.
Its french so there is a lot of butter involved.
We did a Saturday 12pm class so we made our own mimosas. BYOB is a plus!
Its french so there is a lot of butter involved.
We did a Saturday 12pm class so we made our own mimosas. BYOB is a plus!
John Mjoseth
Sep 21, 2018
Report
Truly nothing special in the world of DIY cooking classes. Our party of four listened patiently as too-young-to-be-so-cynical Chef Ryan pontificated on where to find the "best" fried chicken, chastised guests for not properly dicing onions and flipping beignets, and insisted that all 14 of us be seated before tucking into a decidedly average meal. Need tips on making a roux? Save your cash and check out YouTube.
Casey Charles
Aug 13, 2018
Report
So before signing up, keep in mind that this is not an in-depth course in French cooking. This is more like.. part restaurant, part hands-on cooking experience.
I would say it's like pretending to be the line or sous chef as you are taught/instructed. You still learn, but I think that is not the primary focus here. I'd classify it as an experiential eating experience.
It is incredibly enjoyable (yes, even the hats). We made pasta from scratch, salmon, some unpronounceable foods, and molten chocolate cakes.
The food came out excellent (even if I cut the noodles a little long), the company was
I would say it's like pretending to be the line or sous chef as you are taught/instructed. You still learn, but I think that is not the primary focus here. I'd classify it as an experiential eating experience.
It is incredibly enjoyable (yes, even the hats). We made pasta from scratch, salmon, some unpronounceable foods, and molten chocolate cakes.
The food came out excellent (even if I cut the noodles a little long), the company was
Valsielen M.
Jul 31, 2018
Report
The worst place to learn! My friend Daniel Park and I booked a bread class and for the second time they canceled just hours before the time that the class should begin! It is so unprofessional, they just don't care that you prepared yourself and routine, put your money in their, also your expectation! I don't have words to say how unsatisfied I am!
Just don't sing for any class! Don't waste your money and time!
Just don't sing for any class! Don't waste your money and time!
Melissa Z.
Apr 22, 2018
Report
I came here last week for a team event at work and had such a great time! This is way more intimate than most cooking classes, and not at all commercial which is great. Also, you are basically cooking everything from scratch vs. many other cooking classes I've attended where half the stuff is already premade. I highly recommend this for a group event where you can rent out the whole place, I'm sure cooking classes here are fun as well if it's just 2-3 people with other groups but we really had so much fun all together with no one else there.
Chef Vincent was hilarious, very French
Chef Vincent was hilarious, very French
Nitasha J.
Mar 31, 2018
Report
The class and the ambiance were amazing. The only reason I give it four stars is that we weren't told that it would be a class where everyone would do a part of the recipe. Most classes I've gone to we've been able to make the entire meal. I didn't really learn much as it was too chaotic and we were doing bits and pieces of everything. Chef Mary was amazing and made the class entertaining. It's also BYOB!
Shannon Lyon
Dec 24, 2017
Report
We had an absolutely fantastic experience. Ryan was a great instructor, as well as a fun person to hang out with during dinner; it was a community experience that enhanced the learning process.
My husband and I were both surprised to see any bad ratings. It isn't a chef-in-your-face technique class, so look elsewhere if you really want to get into the how-to; we went for a fun date night and had a great time making new food with new friends.
Thank you for a wonderful experience!
My husband and I were both surprised to see any bad ratings. It isn't a chef-in-your-face technique class, so look elsewhere if you really want to get into the how-to; we went for a fun date night and had a great time making new food with new friends.
Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Holly Seslar
Dec 03, 2017
Report
Salena C.
Feb 14, 2017
Report
Cook Au Vin was the most fun I've had in a while.
Ryan, our cooking INSTRUCTOR, was sarcastic, witty and so fun. He was very informative, and made sure to show us the skills and then let us all practice. We learned knife skills (dicing an onion, mincing garlic, chopping celery), shucking skills (both corn and oysters), and life skills (adding a pound of butter makes everything taste delicious ;).
We participated in the Creole Cooking MENU. We started with Broiled Oysters, which was crazy. I've never eaten an oyster, let alone shucked and prepped it. Some of them had little crabs in
Ryan, our cooking INSTRUCTOR, was sarcastic, witty and so fun. He was very informative, and made sure to show us the skills and then let us all practice. We learned knife skills (dicing an onion, mincing garlic, chopping celery), shucking skills (both corn and oysters), and life skills (adding a pound of butter makes everything taste delicious ;).
We participated in the Creole Cooking MENU. We started with Broiled Oysters, which was crazy. I've never eaten an oyster, let alone shucked and prepped it. Some of them had little crabs in
Antonia Asimis
Jul 01, 2016
Report
Awesome cooking class. A nice demonstration that turns into a terrific dinner and the beauty is you help make it all happen. Vincent the chef is fantastic and the food is delicious. Tried the Alsace menu and it was exquisite. Definitely recommend for a fun night with a friend or reserve the whole class, a group party with 12 close guests.
Christina C.
Feb 24, 2016
Report
This was my first cooking class ever, and Chef Maggy was the best! I came here for a private pastry class with the ladies at my company; there were 8 of us. We learned to make macarons and Paris Brest. Prior to coming, I had imagined that we would all get our own stations to cook. Instead, it was like a group activity, which was an awesome experience. There was more than enough ingredients for each of us to have a task, and definitely enough to take home!
Chef Maggy was very patient with us. She gave us tips along the way and showed us plenty of techniques for how to make pastries. I'm happy
Chef Maggy was very patient with us. She gave us tips along the way and showed us plenty of techniques for how to make pastries. I'm happy
Mark Carlson
Aug 28, 2013
Report
Effective Air
Jun 30, 2011
Report
