Corner Cooks, located in Winnetka’s affluent downtown area, was founded in 1999 by Betsy Simson, who aimed to “create a beautiful place on a beautiful street where something beautiful would be made every day.” With the recent addition of Jerry’s, a full-service fine dining restaurant, the place has quickly taken over scenic Chestnut Street.

Jerry’s hones in on casual fine dining. With the philosophy of “Come as You Are, Eat What You Like,” Jerry’s offers ecclectic dishes such as “It fell off the bone” crispy style pork shoulder with rice and beans ($17.00) and “Dolled up” cracked wheat salad with roasted chicken, tomato, cucumber, feta and garbanzo beans ($12).

Corner Cooks is a central culinary hub; not only does it specialize in catered events, but it offers couples’ cooking classes, guest chef lectures and demonstrations and food-focused events. Take a group trip to the Chianti region of Italy for an immersion in pasta and pinot grigio, or send your kid to culinary camp. Executive Chef Larry Smith, who held the position of senior chef instructor at Kendall College for eleven years, supervises every class, event, and meal created at Corner Cooks. Smith heads up a six-person team with impressive cooking chops: a former pastry chef from La Sardine, a designer of table-top accessories and a seasoned catering veteran make up the crew.

Events can either be held in the elegant space or at a venue of your choice. Private dinner parties on-site (with prices starting at $65 per person), cocktail parties (at $32.50 per person), team-building cooking events ($80 per guest) and off-site catered dinners (starting at $65 per person) can be arranged. Corner Cooks also offers “Bridal Cooking Shower Luncheons,” perfect for that foodie bride-to-be who wants to cook her bridal shower lunch and eat it, too (for $50 per person).

Corner Cooks

505-507 Chestnut St

Winnetka, IL 60093

P (847) 441-0134

*Originally published in Centerstage.

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