Lake Geneva School of Cooking
Lake Geneva School of Cooking
5
About
Chef John has spent over 30 years delighting connoisseurs of fine food and fine wine. Emphasizing culinary essentials, Chef John provides a cooking opportunity for novices and enthusiasts to experience “Hands-On preparation” and dinner demonstrations, which allows them to develop their own creative cooking talents.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
64 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Ben
Chicago, IL11 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
Hands down, Chef John is the man! We had a great time cooking and making friends. Chef does a great job keeping everybody engaged and excited for the task at hand. Highly recommend!
Written June 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
35805Sally
Chicago, IL1 contribution
Jan 2011
This was a great time cooking in an awesome kitchen then sitting down to a great meal that we all just helped to prepare. I thought I knew how to cook before but I learned so much more from Chef John, he was a great teacher. We had a great time and will be back.
Written February 25, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kalin L
Port Barrington, IL13 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
My husband and I have taken several cooking classes in Chicago. We received a class at like Geneva school of cooking as a Christmas gift and boy did it it surpass every other cooking class we had ever taken. Chef John was extremely knowledgable, but most importantly, he was insanely entertaining. His passion for what he does shined through, he made everyone comfortable around each other, and he was SO FUN! Music blared in the (very homey, not industrial) kitchen and we danced while we cooked. Chef John would pause the music a few times to report what each team was doing so everyone was on board. Overall, this was the best cooking class I had ever taken and I encourage you to take one! Either with a spouse or group of friends, you will have a blast and enjoy amazing food in the process.
One thing to point out... I did not eat very much before class thinking I would be eating a ton. We did have a lot of food to eat, but not until 2.5 hours after cooking. Class started at 6 and we started eating at 8:30. So maybe have a little snack beforehand or plan your lunch accordingly.
Thank you so much chef John! I will be coming back!!! You make it so easy to take another class as you're always offering new and different themed classes.
One thing to point out... I did not eat very much before class thinking I would be eating a ton. We did have a lot of food to eat, but not until 2.5 hours after cooking. Class started at 6 and we started eating at 8:30. So maybe have a little snack beforehand or plan your lunch accordingly.
Thank you so much chef John! I will be coming back!!! You make it so easy to take another class as you're always offering new and different themed classes.
Written February 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Savvydiner2
Lake Geneva, WI44 contributions
My husband and I joined the Prime Time cooking class at the cooking school. The food was excellent. We started with Parmesan popovers and champagne then it was time to prepare the meal. For this class (18 people) we broke up onto 4 teams. One team made French onion soup, one team a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing and freshly sliced bacon chunks, one team made a mushroom reduction, crispy hash browns and grilled the steaks (3 inch thick bone in prime filets) and the final team made a vanilla bean creme brûlée.
Chef John made the prep work and cooking very informative as well as entertaining with a wine/beer break in between. I am a fairly good cook but learned several "tricks of the trade" during the class.
Then it was time to enjoy what we created. We sat down to eat at several tables and were served wine as we made a toast to the evening. Then each team presented and served their course. Each was outstanding. Another glass of wine was served with the main course.
Although this course was his most expensive and given only twice a year it was well worth the cost. We will definitely go again to another of his classes.
Chef John made the prep work and cooking very informative as well as entertaining with a wine/beer break in between. I am a fairly good cook but learned several "tricks of the trade" during the class.
Then it was time to enjoy what we created. We sat down to eat at several tables and were served wine as we made a toast to the evening. Then each team presented and served their course. Each was outstanding. Another glass of wine was served with the main course.
Although this course was his most expensive and given only twice a year it was well worth the cost. We will definitely go again to another of his classes.
Written July 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelGal200
Wisconsin11 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
We all LOVED our Lake Geneva School of Cooking experience! The chef made the evening fun by knowing all of our names and including us in jokes and comments. The kitchen was well set up and everything was prepared and ready for our class. Fun music was played during cooking times. We had a nice sparkling wine welcome. There was plenty of food and it tasted great! I would recommend this!
Written August 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KellyMcB
Chicago, IL15 contributions
Jun 2021
My Husband and I went to LGSC for our anniversary dinner. Thrill of the Grill and it exceeded our expectations in every way. This wasn't just a restaurant. This wasn't just a cooking class. This wasn't just a show. IT WAS A TOTAL EXPERIENCE!!
Chef John personally greets you upon arrival. He is both personable and funny. He immediately offered us a glass of sparkling wine - it was a fantastic choice! The minute you enter the dining room we were hit with the unbelievable smell of parmesan popovers baking in the oven - awesome! We met 2 other couples that shared our table that were wonderful dinner mates. The entire group was broken up into teams with a course to prepare for the meal with instruction. All while learning tips and tricks along the way from Chef John and his large team of instructors. LGSC has excellent wine choices throughout the night, both included with the dinner and to purchase separately. The food was fantastic!! Expect to spend 4 hours plus there. Chef John truly seems to care that each diner has a good time. He is spectacularly unique at what he has created in LGSC.
I cannot recommend this place more - do not hesitate to reserve your spot! Don't miss this special experience in Lake Geneva. It is one of a kind and probably the best thing you can do in the area!!!!
Chef John personally greets you upon arrival. He is both personable and funny. He immediately offered us a glass of sparkling wine - it was a fantastic choice! The minute you enter the dining room we were hit with the unbelievable smell of parmesan popovers baking in the oven - awesome! We met 2 other couples that shared our table that were wonderful dinner mates. The entire group was broken up into teams with a course to prepare for the meal with instruction. All while learning tips and tricks along the way from Chef John and his large team of instructors. LGSC has excellent wine choices throughout the night, both included with the dinner and to purchase separately. The food was fantastic!! Expect to spend 4 hours plus there. Chef John truly seems to care that each diner has a good time. He is spectacularly unique at what he has created in LGSC.
I cannot recommend this place more - do not hesitate to reserve your spot! Don't miss this special experience in Lake Geneva. It is one of a kind and probably the best thing you can do in the area!!!!
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie H
11 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Great food the staff wad so fun. Chef John was great and so was his staff especially Calin We took the recipes home and we definitely duplicate them. Great time all night.
Written August 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chisox13
Milwaukee, WI39 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Our review is solid like most of the others in Trip Advisor! "Thrill of The Grill 2018 was the class--a full 4 hours--2 hours preparing, and 2 hours eating and hearing Chef John tell stories-=-we enjoyed his stories and showmanship as we are long time visitors to the Lakes Area..and interested in the local scene. We had fun-- excellent food, a great team of friendly and interesting people at our prep station, and dining table. The staff was helpful and Friendly...Morgan and her counterpart..(not so much with asst chef Jake-who seemed a little impatient with those of us that were not as gifted with cooking skills.. For the record we had Parmigiano Poppers, Shrimp Briana w Macadamia Nut Pesto, Angel hair Pasta,Grilled Caesar Salad, Stuffed Chicken medallions, and Grilled Pineapple with Pound cake...etc We plan on returning for the Farmers market class this summer
Written June 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the 5 star review! We can't wait to have you join us again for a Farmer's Market class soon!
Written June 27, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ChicksAndSalsa
Atlanta, GA271 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
I was over at the school of cooking upon a friends request. It was Cinco de Mayo so there was a Mexican theme which was super fun! We were greeted by chef John who was friendly and energetic! He has young staff who he supports in their culinary journey which is just fantastic! As a vegetarian they were accommodating and made sure i had something to eat in each coursed meal.
About mid-way into the cooking class a guest at the school someone spilled wine on me! Yikes! I didn’t let it get me down. Chef John so graciously offered to get it cleaned for me and said he had a special dry cleaner who would be up for the task! He got the stains out and shipped them back to me in Chicago. I am at a loss for words on how kind a gesture that was!
Thank you LG school of cooking and chef John for a great night and reminding me that kindness still exists!
About mid-way into the cooking class a guest at the school someone spilled wine on me! Yikes! I didn’t let it get me down. Chef John so graciously offered to get it cleaned for me and said he had a special dry cleaner who would be up for the task! He got the stains out and shipped them back to me in Chicago. I am at a loss for words on how kind a gesture that was!
Thank you LG school of cooking and chef John for a great night and reminding me that kindness still exists!
Written May 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the kind review! We're glad your pants turned out okay! We hope to have you join us again soon!
Written June 27, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lsbw
Singapore, Singapore6 contributions
Don't be fooled by the name, this is not just a cooking school, it's also great place for a meal! The husband and I joined an evening class (starting at 6pm) yesterday and what a treat it was! We learned how to make tapas in the wonderful company of great people. Chef John is a great host who's not only very knowledgeable and an excellent chef, but also a really engaging and fun instructor.
There was lots of wine, music, dancing, amidst the cooking making the evening a memorable one :). Right ON chef!!
There was lots of wine, music, dancing, amidst the cooking making the evening a memorable one :). Right ON chef!!
Written October 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mechele P
Dassel, Minnesota
Are there any cooking classes scheduled for the weekend of Oct 14-16? If so, what is the menu?
Written August 12, 2016
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