CLASS DESCRIPTIONS – UPCOMING ADULT CLASSES:

HEMMACHEF CLASSES (at St. Mark’s)

Please Email hemmachef@gmail.com to register.

12/1 (Mon) 5:30-8pm – Adult Vegetarian Sushi and Soba (V)

In this hands-on cooking class participants will learn to make several types of tasty vegetarian sushi, featuring not only traditional Japanese flavors, but also fun innovative flavors, as well as a delicious dish with Soba (buckwheat) noodles.  Class will start with the basics of preparing Shari rice, which is essential for any type of sushi (as “sushi” actually refers to the rice).  Participants will then learn how to make sushi rolls with traditional sushi mats, and will make several different sushi rolls, as well as other types of sushi.  On the menu: Roasted Sweet Potato and Baby Kale Roll; Wisconsin Cheddar and Apple Roll; Gingered Soba and Roasted Eggplant Roll; Silky Roasted Bell Pepper Nigiri; along with customary sushi accompaniments of pickled ginger (gari), wasabi, and soy sauce; as well as Soba Noodle Cakes with Sautéed Asian-Style Vegetables and Mirin Soy sauce.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $80.

12/2 (Tue) 6-8:30pm – Adult Make-Ahead Holiday Entertaining (V)

In this fun, hands-on cooking class participants will learn to make some fantastic party dishes for a holiday party, or for any time!  These recipes can be made days ahead and simply warmed up for the big event.  On the menu: Asiago & Fig Gougeres; Brie en Croute with Raspberry Compote; Gochujang Turkey Meatballs with Korean BBQ Sauce; Eggplant & Bell Pepper Caponata with Roasted Garlic Flatbread; Three Cheese-Filled Zucchini Cannelloni with Herbed Tomato Sauce.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $80.

12/4 (Thu) 6-8:30pm – Adult Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen (V)

Want to be able to give meaningful homemade holiday gifts that are sure to impress? Learn about an amazing variety of great recipes for fun, easy and delicious homemade gifts from your kitchen.  Participants will learn how to make the following, and will be able to sample many of them.  Topics and recipes covered will include: Infused Oils and Vinegars, including Wisconsin Cranberry Bitters; Fruit Butters, including Apple Butter; Jams and Jellies, including Herbed Chardonnay Jelly; Ketchups, Mustards and Marmalades, including Roasted Red Pepper Ketchup and Tomato Orange Marmalade; Quick Pickles, including Pickled Roasted Peppers, Onions and Garlic; Quick Breads, including WI Cheddar Crackers and Cream Biscuits; Yeast Breads, including Cinnamon Milk Bread and Mozzarella and Basil Rolls; Spice Rubs, Blends and Marinades, including Chili Powder, Yellow Curry Powder, Taco Seasoning and Fajita Seasoning; and Liqueurs, including Apple Brandy Cordial, Cranberry Vodka.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $80.

12/8 (Mon) – 6:30-9pm – Adult Tastes of Hanukkah (V)

In this class, participants will explore some of the traditional flavors of Hanukkah (including of course, oil-based delicacies such as latkes), as well as fun twists on some classics.  On the menu: Sweet Potato Latkes with Apple and Pear Sauce and Crème Fraîche; Savory Noodle Kugel with Leeks and Mushrooms; “Figs in a Blanket” with Goat Cheese; Feta with Olive Oil and Herbs; and Jelly-Glazed Donut Cookies.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $80.

12/12 (Fri) 6-8:30pm – Adult Holiday Chocolate Desserts (V)

Do you love chocolate?  Indulge your sweet tooth and learn some new recipes for delicious homemade chocolate delights!  In this hands-on class, participants will make these scrumptious chocolate sweets to enjoy in class as well as to take some home to share (or not!).  On the menu: Chocolate Cream Pie with Chocolate Creme Chantilly; Chocolate and Candied Orange Tart; Flourless Chocolate Cookies; Holiday Chocolate Candy Cane Loaf; Chocolate Gingersnap Cookies.  Location: St. Marks.  Class Cost: $80.

12/15 (Mon) – 6:30-9pm – Adult Holiday Party (VO)

In this fun, hands-on cooking class participants will learn to make awesome party food for a holiday party, or for any time!  On the menu: Cocktail Lamb Meatballs with Lemon Caper Sauce; Citrus-Glazed Turkey Tenderloin with Candied Cranberry and Orange Compote; Mini-Potato Cakes with Sour Cream and Caramelized Apple; Best-Ever Garlic Bread with Pasted Garlic, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Freshly-Ground White Pepper; and scrumptious Pecan Tassies with Bourbon Cream.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $80.

12/18 (Thu) 6-8:30pm – Adult Holiday Scones Workshop (V)

Scones make delicious holiday gifts!  Learn all about scones while making and baking a variety of scones that you get to take home with you to share with friends and family.  Participants can make several batches of wonderfully delicate scones, and the ingredients for many flavors will be available. Follow my suggestions or feel free to improvise.  On the menu: Basic Buttermilk Scones with a array of sweet and savory flavoring options, including: grated cheddar cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, fresh cranberries, chopped apples, chocolate chips, rolled oats, holiday sprinkles, cinnamon, herbs & spices, and more!  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $80.

12/22 (Mon) 5:30-8pm – Adult International Holiday Bakes (V)

Class participants will spend a fun winter evening learning to make tasty baked goods from around the world.  These yummy bakes are good enough to grace any Holiday table or to give as gifts!  Participants will prepare the following festive recipes and will be able to take some home to gift or share (or not!).  On the menu: Baby Bûche de Noëls with Buttercream Frosting; Gingerbread Empanadas with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Pumpkin Filling; Portuguese Pasteis de Nata (flaky, creamy, classic custard tarts); and delicious Polish Kolaczk Fruit-Filled Cookies. Location: St. Mark’s.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

More awesome cooking classes for Winter 2026 coming soon!

Email hemmachef@gmail.com to register.

FOR VEGETARIANS: Classes been designated according to their appropriateness for vegetarians:

• the class is vegetarian (V)
• meat is optional; can easily be left out of menu items(s) (VO)
• a vegetarian option can be substituted for the meat in recipe(s) (VS)

UPCOMING ADULT CLASSES AT OTHER VENUES:

At Orange Tree Imports Cooking School:

Please check their website to register.

At vomFASS’s DelecTable:

Please check their website to register.

At the Village Center of Waunakee:

Please register directly through their website.

For private lessons or other questions, please email: Hemmachef@gmail.com

MORE INFORMATION about ADULT COOKING CLASSES with CHEF JOEL

Chef Joel helps Good Cooks become Great!

Cooking classes are a great way to enhance your culinary skills, add great new recipes to your repertoire, and try new ingredients that you may not be familiar with — all in a fun, social, encouraging environment. Whether you are a beginner who needs to learn how to make more than cereal for dinner or an experienced cook who wants to learn some new skills, ingredients or cuisines, Chef Joel has great culinary classes for you.

Chef Joel loves to inspire people to cook more, especially with great local Wisconsin ingredients. He is a proud Wisconsin native and enjoys incorporating local cheeses and other great dairy products, fresh local Farmers Market produce, locally-produced meats and beverages (and more) in his recipes. He has worked in almost every type of professional cheffing venue/setting but most enjoys sharing his love of food and cooking through teaching culinary skills. He approaches teaching as entertainment and uses his sense of humor and passion for cooking to inspire and actively involve all of his students. He is skilled at working with individuals of all levels of ability, interest, and experience — in both large and small groups. He feels strongly that all individuals can successfully participate in culinary classes and works hard with every class member to ensure that they fully participate in each class. If you (or anyone in your party) have special needs, please let us know ahead of time so that Chef Joel can make sure to accommodate them.

Class sizes are limited.

Email now to reserve space: hemmachef@gmail.com

PRIVATE CULINARY EVENTS –

For information on private special culinary events for any occasion, contact Chef Joel at hemmachef@gmail.com.

VENUES / LOCATIONS –

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – 605 Spruce St., Madison, 53715.

vomFASS’s DelecTable – 3248 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705
Class List Here

Orange Tree Imports – 1721 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711
Class List Here

Village Center of Waunakee, 333 S. Madison Street, Waunakee, WI 53597
See Class Listings on their website.

State Line Distillery – 1413 Northern Ct, Madison, WI 53703
State Line Website

University of Wisconsin’s Wheelhouse Studios
Class Location: Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706
Class List Here

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – 605 Spruce St., Madison, 53715.
Class at St. Mark’s are held in the kitchen, which is in the basement. Please enter the building from the north side entrance (from Spruce Street), by the playground. There will be a sign on the door for cooking classes. There should plenty of street parking available. There is also a small parking lot behind the building, accessible from Hickory Street.

DRESS CODE –

• Long Hair should be pulled back or put in a ponytail.
• Participants must wear close-toed shoes.
• Participants are encouraged to wear a facial mask for food safety and disease prevention.
• Short-sleeved shirts are recommended.
• Hemmachef will provide aprons and towels to use during the class.

EQUIPMENT –

All equipment, foods, and materials necessary to complete the recipes are provided by Chef Joel.

CONSIDERATIONS –

Please inform Chef Joel of any of the following:

• Food allergies or restrictions, such as lactose-intolerance or celiac disease
• Special Physical Needs
• Special Educational Needs

CLASS PHILOSOPHY –

Participants are expected to behave with civility and respect for the Chef, the other participants, the equipment, and the food.

PHOTOGRAPHS –

Chef Joel or other Hemmachef representatives may take photographs during class for use in marketing and promotional materials. No names or other personal information will be included in these photographs.

CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY –

Please inform Chef Joel as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend. Your full class payment will be refunded up to 5 business days prior to the date of the class. If you cancel after this time you will not receive a refund. You may have someone attend in your place, however.

If Chef Joel must cancel for any reason, every effort will be made to reschedule the class, and if you cannot attend at the new time, you will receive a full refund.

INCLEMENT WEATHER –

Hemmachef classes will conducted unless City of Madison buses are not running due to inclement weather.