I recently joined WCIA’s afternoon magazine show with host Tommy Bickham to demonstrate a vibrant Russian Vinaigrette salad — a great winter salad made with root vegetables like beets, potatoes, and onions, plus pickles and sauerkraut. It’s colorful, zesty, and refreshingly healthy thanks to its mayo-free dressing. This recipe was taught to me by guest chef Maxim Krupskiy, a visiting scholar at the UI College of Law, who will be co-teaching a new class with me this spring. In our upcoming RUSSIAN HOME COOKING class, Maxim will share three of his favorite traditional dishes, including the famous Ukha (Fisherman’s Soup) — a rustic, rich, aromatic fish stew beloved across Russia. Our spring season of hands-on cooking classes begins February 12, and registration is now open for the full series: February 12:  Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration March 5:  Indian Delights April 2:  Russian Home Cooking These courses are pa...

Looking for a gift that’s thoughtful, unique, and guaranteed to delight? Custom gift certificates for my cooking classes and private chef services are now available—beautifully printed on card stock and tucked into a ready-to-gift envelope. You can even add a personalized message to make your present truly meaningful. For the foodie who has everything: Give an adventurous eater the unforgettable treat of a private dinner party cooked right in their own home. Whether it’s an intimate celebration or a special surprise, I bring the experience to you—no trip to Chicago or flight to Paris required. My private chef services are just $50 per hour, backed by more than 200 kitchen-tested recipes and the option to design brand-new dishes to match any theme or fantasy. Learn more here: www.cooking-with-paul.com/private-chef.html For the curious home cook: A hands-on cooking class at Urbana Park District’s Phillips Recreation Center might be the perfect present. With only 12 students per sessio...

Our fall season is almost finished, so it's time to start planning for spring. Here's a preview of the cooking classes we have planned for you next semester at Urbana Park District. Mark your calendar for December 3  if you want to be first to sign up for these spring cooking classes: On  February 12, 2026 , we will be celebrating Vietnamese Lunar New Year with guest chef  Thu Nguyen , a first-generation immigrant and " boat person " who forged a deep connection to her Vietnamese roots through food, family, and cultural engagement. Her passion for culinary arts blossomed in her twenties while living in Europe. Her journeys across more than 20 countries further enriched her palate and deepened her appreciation for authentic flavors. On March 5, 2026 , I will be presenting my version of Indian Delights where w e'll learn how to make a Garam Masala spice mix from scratch, then use this delightful seasoning to infuse a homemade Indian Goat Curr...

In another life as a Parkland College professor, I had several Russian students in my classes. One of them invited me and my partner to Russia for a visit and we said "yes." The result was a trip of a lifetime and a cultural immersion experience like no other. I can vouch personally that the Russian people are the warmest and most welcoming of people. And their food culture and zest for life is definitely something to admire. Now might be the best time to celebrate Russian culture just to remind us that the people and its government are not one and the same. Just as not all Americans are fans of Trump, not all Russians follow Putin.  So let's do as the Russians do – make some great food, indulge in a celebration of good company, and make a feast of traditional Russian favorites. Of course, we'll start the evening with caviar and vodka shots, but we'll also indulge in another Russian favorite – French bubbly.   In this "double feature" cooking class se...

In February 2024, we're going on another "deep dive" into another tasty ethnic cuisine. This time, we'll be visiting Russia! Now might be the best time to celebrate Russian culture just to remind us that the people and its government are not one and the same. Just as not all Americans are fans of Trump, not all Russians follow Putin.  In this deep dive "double feature," we'll do as the Russians do – make some great food, indulge in a celebration of good company, and make a feast of traditional Russian favorites. Of course, we'll start the evening with caviar and vodka shots, but we'll also indulge in another Russian favorite – French champagne.  You can book one or both of the classes in this series:  Summer Picnic at the Dasha (February 27) : Dashas are summer homes for city dwellers in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Because Russian summers are relatively short, many people spend most of the warmer months in the country growing their own vegetabl...

I started the "deep-dive" cooking classes at the Common Ground Food Co-op last fall with a series called "A Taste of China." This series of three classes was designed for serious foodies who want to explore ethnic cuisines in depth, so traveled through China region by region and cooked up a variety of Cantonese, Sichuan, and Shanghai dishes. This series sold out quickly, so we scheduled another one right away. In spring 2023, we offered a series called "A Taste of Japan." This time, we explored three different categories of Japanese cuisine -- one at a time. First, we did a deep dive into noodles and cooked up my favorite ramen, udon, and soba dishes. Next, we explored Japanese-style barbecue and made yakitori, kushiyaki, and shioyaki. Finally, we hosted a make-your-own omakase feast with sushi, sashimi, chirashi, and makizushi. French food is hard to find in our town, so we had to offer "A Taste of France" next. Like the Chinese "deep...

Technically, spring doesn't start until March, but we can't wait to get back into the kitchen. So we're going to start the 4th season of "Flavor Principles of Ethnic Cooking" series on February 16, 2023 with a classic French dinner party. On the menu is my easy streamlined coq au vin recipe served with ratatouille and potatoes au gratin. We'll start the evening with a bowl of French onion soup, a selection of imported cheeses, and a tasting of imported French wines. After dinner, we'll enjoy a few digestifs. This series sells out fast, so mark your calendars and  register here  as soon as the link becomes available on December 7 (or check  my website  for a direct registration link). Later this spring, we will also be eating our way through Thailand and Russia. Each session of this fun dinner-party-style demo series will include a two-course dinner complete with wine, beer, and/or special cocktails. All classes in this series will take place at U...

In spring 2023, my fourth season of "Flavor Principles of Ethnic Cooking" series will continue at Urbana Park District's Phillips Recreation Center. In the tradition of these dinner party "classes," guests will have the opportunity to watch demos and/or participate in the preparation of our feast. You'll learn the secrets of how to make anything taste French, Thai, or Russian by following simple streamlined recipes. By the end of the series you will be able to adjust flavor profiles and customize recipes like a pro. Each class will include a full two-course dinner complete with beer, wine and/or special cocktails.  Here's a preview of what we're planning . Registration for this series opens on December 7. Mark your calendar because these classes sell out fast!