FAQ's
Delve into our FAQ’s for quick answers to your most pressing questions regarding our services, classes, and more.
I don’t cook a lot – can I attend a class?
Our classes are geared for anyone who is interested in learning to cook, independent of their cooking experience and background. If you’re willing to learn, sign up.
What will I have to do during class?
Classes are hands on, and participation during cooking is encouraged. You’ll chop, mince, toss, knead, marinate, stir and serve, depending on what we’re cooking. If you’re the type who likes to sit and watch, you’re more than welcome to do so.
What are the class sizes?
Class sizes vary depending on the night of the week and the menu for the class. Weeknight classes tend to be six to ten people, while weekend classes tend to be ten to twelve people. Private classes can be organized if you’d like with as few as two and as many as 30+ people. Please contact naveen’s cuisine to plan a private event. Private events can be organized any day of the week for lunch or dinner time classes.
What style of food do you teach people to cook?
I specialize in northern indian cooking. You can expect the food we cook during class to taste like food at an indian family’s home.
What should I bring with me when i come to attend a class?
Bring a healthy appetite for a great meal, a curiosity to learn about indian food and indian culture, a beverage of your choice to drink during class (including wine, beer or spirits, if you’d like), and a willingness to have a fun-filled evening. Please remember, you need to be of legal drinking age to consume alcohol, and we reserve the right to check your id.
I don’t like spicy food - can the food be made less spicy?
Indian food is very flavorful and uses a wide variety of spices. It is made hot using cayenne and other spicy peppers. For our classes, the spice level is customized to the tolerance level of people attending the classes. The food will be flavorful, not spicy.
Can we bring our own Alcohol to class? Is there any corkage fee?
This is the updated answer - Classes are byob and you’re welcome to bring wine, beer, or spirits to classes. If you bring beer & wine, corkage fee is 5% and for Beer/Wine/Bubbles/Spirits, corkage fee is 10%. You need to be of legal drinking age (21), and we reserve the right to verify your age. Please drink responsibly and we reserve the right to ask you to stop drinking if we feel you're intoxicated. f you’re planning a private event and want to drop off drinks before the event, you can do so, and we will chill it for you prior to the event.
What type of wine is suggested for indian food?
People think of indian food as spicy, and customers at wine stores are generally guided towards sweeter wines like riesling, muscadet, pinot gris, etc. Indian food is actually very flavorful, and you can pair any wine with it. Because taste is very personal, our philosophy is simply to bring wine(s) that you like to drink. Personally, we like to drink chilled whites on summer days and heavy reds on cold Chicago winter windy days.
Can you teach us to make naan?
The right way to make a naan is to cook it in a tandoor (indian clay oven). Since we do not have a tandoor in our kitchen, we don’t have the ability to cook naan. There are many other types on indian breads like roti, paratha, puri, or bhatura that are cooked using different techniques on a stove top, and we can teach you to cook these breads. Certain breads go with only certain types of entrée’s, so food pairing is important.
How do I register for a class? Can I register on-line? When do I pay for the class? How do I pay for the class?
If you have decided on the class you want to attend, please call us or send an email. If space is available, we will reserve a spot for you for the class and inform you of payment options. At this time, online registration is not available.. Payment for the class is due at the time of registration. A spot can be reserved for you, but your registration is not confirmed until payment for the class is received. You can pay for the class by Zelle, Venmo or credit cards. For credit cards, there is a 4% processing fee. Once we get your registration email, we will send you details on how to pay for the class.
Do you cancel classes?
In the unlikely event of low enrollment, there is a possibility a class may be canceled. You will have the option to register for another class, or the class dues refunded to you.
Class Prices
Classes are priced at $100/person and it includes instruction, recipes, all ingredients, the meal we prepare, use of space and clean up. Classes are about 3 hrs in duration.
Cancellation Policy
For private group classes from date of event, the following cancellation policy applies:
More than 6 weeks notice – full refund of deposit
6 weeks or less but more than 4 weeks – 50% deposit forfeited
4 weeks or less than 4 weeks - deposit forfeited
For scheduled group classes from date of event, the following cancellation policy applies:
We understand that sometimes plans need to be changed. If you need to cancel your class registration, please contact us via email, two weeks prior to your scheduled class to cancel your registration to get a full refund of your class dues. With less than two weeks’ notice and more than one week, we will reschedule your registration to another class at no charge. Cancellations are not allowed with less than one week from the date of class. If you are a “no show” for a class, you forfeit your class payment. You are more than welcome to have someone else attend in your place.