Past Events

• Spring Cleaning for Spices
  March 3-7, 2010
  The Spice House in Geneva
  

  Is your cinnamon old enough to vote? Can you trace your vanilla back to Cortez? If so, it's time to clean out your spice cupboard!

  March 3 through March 7, bring any old, non-Spice House jar to our Geneva Shop and get $1.00 off a replacement jar of fragrant, fresh-ground spices. We'll dispose of the old jars and powders and send you home with flavorful spices in new flint-glass jars. Your cooking will thank you.

  

  Offer valid only in our Geneva location, and applies only to jars from other spice companies. Limit 100 jars per customer.

• Soup Demo and Book Signing with Chef Clay Erickson
  February 23rd
  11:00 am to 1:00 pm
  The Spice House in Evanston
  

  Join us in our Evanston shop at 1941 Central Street for some of Chef Clay's wonderful soups. Clay Erickson is a long-time customer and friend who has frequently brought soup for our staff, so we can assure you it's delicious. Besides sampling the soups, you can also pick up a copy of his book "25 Soups and One Chili" and have it signed. 50% of the net profits from this book go to benefit the Youth Ministries at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Waukegan.

  

  You can also watch Chef Clay make this soup on WGN's Lunchbreak segment from February 16.  

• The Love of Chocolate, Scholarship Fundraising Event
  February 6th, 2010
  6:30 - 10:00 PM
  The French Pastry School, 226 W. Jackson Blvd.,Chicago
  

  The Spice House is proud, for the second year in a row, to be a sponsor of this gala event to raise money for scholarships for future students of The French Pastry School. We had the great pleasure of attending this event last year, and it was our favorite event of the entire year, the only disclaimer being we LOVE chocolate.

  This description comes from the website of For the Love of Chocolate Foundation -
  The 5th Annual "For the Love of Chocolate" Gala at The French Pastry School at City Colleges of Chicago will take place on February 6, 2010 with some new exciting elements to our chocolate extravaganza. This year, you will find additions to the cocoa theme including the Chocolate Bar, and Voodoo Lounge, plus new partners and sponsors in the Cocoa Sutra, Cocoa Lounge, and Cocoa Cuisine making this year's For the Love of Chocolate the most thrilling, unique event yet!

  For the Love of Chocolate is complete only with Chicago's best cuisine, including offerings from the city's top chef such as Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and XOCO, Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter's, Jean Joho of Everest, Dominique Tougne of Bistro 110, Art Smith of Table 52, Paul Bartolotta of The Bartolotta Restaurants, and Jean Claude Poilevey of La Sardine.

  Among the new components to the gala will be the Voodoo Lounge complete with our very own Witch Doctor DJ, Roberto Ayala, palm and Tarot card readers, a Voodoo "Priestess" crafting exotic chocolate elixirs, along with divine desserts prepared by Chicago's preeminent pastry chefs and chocolatiers.

  Following the Cocoa Lounge, Cocoa Sutra, Cocoa Cuisine, and Voodoo Lounge, you will be guided back to the large first-floor lobby, transformed to a lively dance party called the Chocolate Bar with Hip Hop artist extraordinaire, Anacron as your DJ. The space will be equipped with a spectacular eight-foot chocolate bar where you can scrape off a piece of the bar to add to your warm chocolate drink of choice, or eat the high-quality couverture all by itself!

  Tickets are $125, and are available here.

  

• Soup Sampling and Book Signing with Chef Clay
  Tuesday, February 23
  11:00 am to 1:00 pm
  The Spice House in Evanston, 1941 Central Street
  

  Come by The Spice House on your lunchbreak for samples of delicious soups made by one of our favorite customers, Chef Clay Erickson. Chef Clay will be in the store from 11-1 to promote his cookbook, "25 Soups and 1 Chili", as well as to serve up sample of his signature soups.

• January Wave Cooking Class - Hearty Soups
  Saturday, January 9, 2010
  2:30-4:30 pm
  WAVE Restaurant, 644 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago
  

  Come join Spice House manager Steven and WAVE Executive Chef Kristine Subido for this class featuring Hearty Soups. Classes include lunch and cocktails as well as recipe demonstrations and spice discussions. Tickets are $60, available at Brown Paper Tickets.

  

• Scent of Cinnamon Class at Gallery 37's World Kitchen
  Thursday, January 28, 2010
  6 - 8:30 pm
  66 East Randolph Street, Chicago
  

  The Spice House teams up with the City of Chicago's Gallery 37 for "Scent of Cinnamon" cooking class.

  Join us in Gallery 37's World Kitchen, we always enjoy these hands on classes. Their classes focus on culinary skills and techniques in their state-of-the-art facility. We will learn about the origins and history of different cinnamons of the world, as well as, ways to use them in both savory and sweet dishes. You will take home a cinnamon goodie bag to expand your spice cupboard as well as your kitchen knowledge.

  All World Kitchen classes are $30 and require pre-registration. Reservations can be made by phone (312-742-TIXS) or in person at their box office. For more information, check out the World Kitchen website.

  

• Central Street Holiday Open House
  Sunday, December 6
  12-5 pm
  Central Street between Green Bay and Hartrey
  

  Join us on Central Street in Evanston for our annual Holiday Open House. The Spice House will be serving hot mulled cider and delicious spicy baked goods made by our talented staff. Many of our neighbors will be offering promos, discounts, and treats. This is a great way to kick off your holiday shopping.

  Central Street has begun a “Shop Local” campaign and is receiving tremendous support from the community. It continues to grow and come together in making this shopping district distinctive and thriving. We wish a happy holiday to the people who believe in retaining the personal charm and excellent customer service in this charming retail district.

• Geneva Holiday Walk
  Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5
  11 am to 8 pm Friday; 11 am to 4 pm Saturday
  Downtown Geneva Illinois
  

  Come out to historic Geneva for one of Chicagoland's best holiday festivals! This beautiful town goes all out for it Christmas Walk and House tour, from Santa Lucia handing out traditional Swedish Cookies to Santa Claus lighting the tree on the courthouse lawn. The Spice House is located right in the middle of all the fun. We'll be open late, roasting chestnuts and serving homemade spicy treats and beverages from 6-8 on Friday night.

  For more information, including schedules and directions, please visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce website.

  

• Cooking Class at Wave - Preparing for Holiday Parties
  Nov 7th, 2009
  2:30 - 4:30
  Wave Restaurant at W Chicago Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
  

  Normally The Spice House would join Wave executive chef Kristine Subido in her class to educate and provide interesting tidbits about the spices she is using in her menu. Unfortunately, the elves have yet to show up to help us build our gift boxes for the busy holiday season! We just have too much work on our hands, and about as many customers as our staff can handle on a Saturday, for us to get away. We still would really like to recommend those of you who enjoy cooking, and have a Saturday off, attend this delicious class and luncheon.You will learn professional techniques from one of Chicago's premiere chefs, as well as enjoying a five-course meal. The menu for this class includes:

  Spiced Pumpkin Soup with grilled olive oil croutons

  Ricotta Gnocchi with fall mushrooms and sage-brown butter sauce

  Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin with fruit and nut brioche stuffing and braised escarole

  Brioche Bread Pudding with dried cranberries and brown butter caramel

  Class cost, $60, includes a full meal and wine. Attendance is limited, reserve your spot online at Brown Paper Tickets

  

• Free Spice Lecture at The Chalet
  11/6/09 and 11/7/2009
  10:00 - 11:30
  The Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Avenue, Wilmette
  

  The Lure and Lore of Spices - Free Lecture by Spice House owners Patty and Tom Erd. Throughout time, man's destiny has been shaped by the search for the elusive spices coveted by nobility and royalty. The history of the spice trade reveals fascinating tales of piracy, adventures and wars battled to control the spice trade. Exotic myths arose in explanation of the expense of the spice treasures. Patty and Tom Erd have spent their lives as spice merchants in pursuit of the highest quality spices from locations all over the globe. They will share interesting historical facts, anecdotes and entertaining tales of daring do. Each guest will leave with a small spice goodie bag. For reservations please call The Chalet at 847 256 0561

• The Geneva Spice House Two Year Anniversary Party
  11/14/2009, Saturday
  4:00 - 7:00
  The Geneva Spice House, 577 South 3rd Street
  

  Please join us for our two year anniversary celebration. Many of our staff members are multi-talented. Dave Nelson, when he is not mixing up seasonings in our blending room, has a musical life. He belongs to several bands and he has arranged for local phenom, Dick Smith, to do an accoustical program of Saturday evening. Thanks, Dave! Culinary talent also runs deep in our staff, partner John Cirpinski and food stylist Lonnie Romero will prepare tasty tidbits and resfreshments. These appetizer bites should give you some lovely spicy holiday party ideas, as we will also have the recipes available. Please join us. During the day, we will be joined by the good people from Project Linus. They will be sampling baked goods out of their cookbook, which we will have for sale. Proceeds go to the Linus Project, whose mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

• The Spice House Exhibits at The Great Ameican Cooking Expo
  10/12/2009-10/25/2009
  Friday 6-10, Saturday and Sunday 11-5
  Harper Community Collegs
  

  

  We were invited to exhibit at this event last year, but were a little leary as we had never attended, and it was a new event. So we went to investigate, and we really liked what we saw. Lots of vendors with tastings, chef demos, your admission included a whole bunch of drink tickets for sampling hand crafted beer and wines, and most of all, lots of people really excited about cooking. So after that, we know we wanted The Spice House to participate.

  The Great American Cooking Expo takes place October 23, 24 and 25. Three wonderful days of sampling, savoring, and discovering the best foods, beers, wines and products available in today’s culinary marketplace. Taking place in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, this event will excite the tastes and curiosities of cooking enthusiasts from all over the Chicagoland area.

  For just $20, your cost of admission covers everything – and parking is FREE! Come ready to sample fine wines & fantastic foods, watch live chef demos & taste their exquisite culinary creations! Take time to relax in the Goose Island Beer Garden and see the newest trends & cooking gadgets on the market. Make sure to order your tickets online soon, they are $20 but at the event they are $30. A percentage of the money raised will benefit the Palatine Food Drive.

  This Citywide 3-day tasting extravaganza is the perfect way to inspire the creative chef within you with recipes, food preparation techniques, beverage pair suggestions and products that will transform your everyday meals.

  Take a minute to Explore the Great American Cooking website to learn everything the Great American Cooking Expo offers you, then get ready to whet your appetite for the greatest culinary adventure this year.

  

• Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance Beef Symposium
  October 23-25
  Kendall College, Chicago
  

  Join Spice House owner Patty Erd at this wonderful weekend of all things beef.

  This three-day event begins on Friday, October 23rd at 4 p.m. with a cutting demonstration of a side of beef donated by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. The resulting beef primals and subprimals will be pieced together, picked apart and discussed at Kendall College in Chicago, Illinois. Afterwards, there will be a Founder’s Dinner fundraiser featuring a fabulous dinner prepared by the chefs and students of Kendall College. This dinner will honor early supporters of Greater Midwest Foodways: Vienna Beef, Almond Board of California and Kendall College. Earlier, on Friday morning, there will be optional tour and lunch at the Navy’s Great Lakes Culinary "A" School.

  The main event is on Saturday, October 24th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kendall College, where Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance will host a symposium featuring topics on beef production, history and dining. There will be panelists on cattle production from the cow-calf producer to the feedlot operator, beef processing and marketing as practiced in the past, present and future as well as what we know will be an enlightening discussion and simultaneous tasting of Certified Angus Beef and grass fed beef. Learn how ground meat on a bun conquered the world. What inspired some traditional Iowa farmers to practice Halal meat processing rituals. Close the day with a round table of steakhouse chefs and purveyors.

• Spice House featured as Gourmet Exhibitor at The Kohler Food and Wine Experience
  10/23/2009 thru 10/25/2009
  10:00 to 6:00
  The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
  

  The Spice House was delighted to once again be chosen as high quality merchants, whose wares will be sold at the Gourmet Marketplace Exhibition the weekend of 10/23 through 10/25 at the Kohler Food and Wine Experience. People come from all over the country to experience this festival, please see this link for more information.

  This lovely event has so much to offer, cheese,wine and beer tastings, educational seminars, tastings from small bites to grandiose dinners, culminating the meal of a lifetime on Saturday! Enjoy an exclusive, intimate five-course dinner inspired and hosted by KOHLER Food & Wine Experience celebrity chefs. It's a foodie's dream come true. Reception starts at 6pm and dinner at 7pm on Saurday evening. Featuring Marcus Samulesson, Andrew Zimmern, Jon Ashton, Jacques Pépin & Ulrich Koberstein. Currently there are still a few tickets left for this event, but hurry, the weekend will be upon us soon.

  Visit this link for chef bios of all the wonderful chefs who will be contributing to this extraordinary event.

  We can only bring a select amount of items from our store, if you plan on coming and would like to place an order of what you need specifically, please call our shop at 414 272 0977. If we are really lucky, we will be next to the Nieske's bacon booth again, who certainly did not let us go hungry! Please join us, whether for an afternoon, or the weekend.

  

• Retail Therapy on Central Street
  Thursday, October 8, 2009
  6-9 pm
  Central Street in Evanston betweet Green Bay and Hartrey
  

  Come down to Central Street Thursday night for a relaxing evening of shopping. The Spice House and many of our neighbors will be staying open late and offering discounts and refreshments, so you can get an early start on your holiday shopping. Come by The Spice House for pumpkin cake and other spicy treats!

  Parking on Central Street is free after 6 pm.

• 7th Annual Old Town "Crush" Festival
  Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13
  11:00 am to late
  Old Town Chicago
  

  Come down to Old Town for the annual Crush Music and Comedy Festival. This popular event has multiple stages for entertainment, food and beverages, shopping, and of course the grape stomping competition. The Spice House is located right in the middle of all the fun, and has a quiet(ish) back garden for those who need a little break.

  For schedules and more information, visit the Old Town Merchants website.

  

• Geneva Festival of the Vine
  September 11-13
  9am to 10pm Saturday, 9 am to 6pm Sunday
  Downtown Geneva, Illinois
  

  Taste the autumn bounty in downtown Geneva while enjoying a flower market, arts & crafts show, demonstration stage, live music, the Kid’s Patch, Gorgeous Gourds-A Fall Harvest of Natural Art and more. Sample international flavors provided by Geneva restaurateurs, and sip the best of the vine at our wine tastings under a huge outdoor tent.

  

  The Spice House is located right in the center of the festivities, and will be offering homemade spicy treats.

  For more information or a schedule of events please visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce website.

• Spice, Herb & Winetasting with Vino 100
  Wednesday, September 16
  6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
  Vino 100, 219 E. Erie Street, Milwaukee, WI
  

  Do you ever wonder how rosemary can go fabulously with BOTH Shiraz AND Sauvignon Blanc? Find out at this one-of-a-kind event! We'll have 5 tasting stations with 2 wines at each stations and dipping breads, oils and spreads to taste with each wine. Pre-registration is required! Please RSVP by 5 PM September 14th. $15 per person.

  

• Free Nutrition Workshop: Creating Vibrant Health & Avoiding a Health Crisis
  September 9th
  6:30 - 8:00 pm
  The Spice House, 1941 Central Street
  

  Join our neighbor Dr. Steven Arculeo, a Wellness Physician from Peak Performance Health Care as he gives an educational workshop about nutrition. A big reason that our population's health is getting worse has to do with our lifestyle and the way we eat. Learn how to overcome your health problems and create vibrant health based upon the lifestyle habits of the healthiest cultures in history. If you suffer from fatigue, headaches, neck, shoulder or back pain, digestive problems, hormone imbalances, menstrual problems, allergies, asthma, or recurrent infections, you do not want to miss this workshop!

  Please call Peak Perfomance Health Care at 312 440 9646 for this free workshop. Space is limited to 25.

• WAVE Cooking Class
  Saturday, August 1, 2009
  2:30pm
  Wave Restaurant at W Chicago Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
  

  Join The Spice House and WAVE executive chef Kristine Subido for the latest in our series of cooking classes. Classes are $60 and include recipes and demonstrations, a welcome cocktail and a five-course lunch.
  The menu for this class includes: -Ahi tuna guacamole spoons with yuzu-soy vinaigrette -Seared beef tenderloin crostini with pickled red onion and blue cheese -Smoked salmon croquettes with dill creme fraiche -Watermelon gazpacho with chilled shrimp salad -Grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters -Mini cheeseburger sliders -Pineapple and coconut panna cotta -Banana-nutella phyllo triangles

  

• Geneva Art Fair
  July 25-26
  10 am to 5 pm
  South Third Street, Geneva IL
  

  Voted “Best Craft or Art Show” in 2008 by West Suburban Living magazine, the Geneva Arts Fair will showcase over 140 artists from around the country. Art mediums include photography, pottery, fiber, printmaking, glass, mixed media, watercolor, oil/acrylic, wood, sculpture and jewelry. There will also be an "Emerging Artists" section and hand-on activities for the kids. And don't forget to stop by The Spice House at 577 South Third Street for some homemade spicy refreshments!

• Evanston Sidewalk Sale
  July 24-26, 2009
  10 am to 6 pm daily
  Throughout Evanston
  

  The annual Central Street Sidewalk Sale has grown this year into the Evanston Sidewalk Sale! The entire City of Evanston will be participating, with sales, promotions, and entertainment. Come by The Spice House at 1941 Central Street for some spicy bargains.

  For details visit the City of Evanston website.

• Cooking Class at Wave - Cooking with Spices III
  June 6, 2009
  2:30 - 4:30
  Wave Restaurant at W Chicago Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
  

  This class will focus on cooking with salt, the oldest and most prevalent culinary seasoning. Learn new techniques for using the multitude of different salts available in this hand-on class with Wave executive chef Kristine Subido. The menu for this class includes:

  1st course Salt crusted beets with horseradish crème fraiche

  2nd course Whole fish baked in salt crust, caper-raisin sauce

  3rd course Roasted beef tenderloin in herb-salt crust with grilled mushrooms and mustard sauce

  Dessert Seasonal melon soup with mint and cantaloupe sorbet

  Class cost, $60, includes a full meal and wine. Attendance is limited, reserve your spot online at Brown Paper Tickets

  

• Retail Therapy Night at our Central Street, Evanston, location featuring highly acclaimed chef Gale Gand.
  April 23rd
  6:00 - 9:00
  1941 Central Street
  

  Retail therapy night is when our Central street businesses team up and offer tastings, beverages, sales and discounts for one evening. We are especially excited to have a very special guest joining us this evening, Gale Gand. Read below for some of Gale Gand's accolades.

  

  In 1994, Gale received the Robert Mondavi Award for Culinary Excellence and she and her culinary partner Rick Tramonto were named among the Top Ten Best New Chefs by Food & Wine. She was named top pastry chef of the year in Bon Appetit's annual Best of the Best awards in 2001. Gale and Rick were nominated for the 1998 James Beard Awards for Best Chefs in the Midwest and also nominated for the 2000 James Beard Awards with Tru for the Best New Restaurant. Further recognition by the James Beard Foundation include Gale's Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2001 and most recently a nomination for Tru for Outstanding Service in 2004. Tru was the recipient of the 2003 IVY award by Restaurants & Institutions and inducted into Nation's Restaurant News' 2004 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Most recently Tru was honored with the 2004 Wine Spectator Grand Award, one of the most highly coveted acknowledgements in the food and wine industry and Best Restaurant in Chicago Magazine's 2004 Dining Awards, with Gale being named Best Pastry Chef. Gale also hosted her own Food Network show, Sweet Dreams.

  We will be preparing several dishes from Gale's new book, "Brunch!" We just received the proof of her book, after we look through it, we will decide on our menu and you will find it posted here. Gale will speak join us at 6:00 and do a brief speaking presentation at 6:30. In addition to her culinary skills, Gale is also a very entertaining speaker you don't want to miss.

  While the event is free, we do request you rsvp to 847 328 3711 so we have an idea of how much food to prepare. Our menu includes:

  Baked Cinnamon Apple French Toast

  Sausage with Maple Sugar

  Bacon and Egg Salad Sandwiches

  Crumb Cake Muffins

  Nectarine Skewers with Pesto and Mozzarella

  Gougeres

  Chai Tea

• Cooking Class at Wave - Spice Blends
  04/04/2009 Saturday
  2:30 - 4:30
  Wave Restaurant at W Chicago Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
  

  From salts to rubs, this hands-on class teaches you how to create, store and pair your own special blends. We have spent 51 years in business learning to master this art, and we are still learning all the time. This deliciously hands-on course will work with sweet, salty, and savory blends. Our fearless leader, Tom Erd will be the guest speaker for the spice part of this class. You will also leave with a nice gift package of spices.

  The menu for this class is:

  Pear and apple salad with smoked salmon and baharat viniagrette

  Grilled shrimp with sweet pea puree and medjool dates

  Coffee crusted New York strip steak with creamed spinach

  Spiced chocolate pudding with crispy rice

  Class cost, $60, includes a full meal including wine. Attendance is limited, reserve your spot online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/50622

  

• Cooking Class at Wave - Spice-infused Oils and Syrups from Around the Globe
  03/07/2009
  2:30 - 4:30
  Wave Restaurant at W Chicago Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
  

  Travel the world and learn how to create and pair condiments, alternative options to the all-American ketchup and mustard.

  The menu for this class includes: Seared tuna, shaved fennel and arugula with charmoula vinaigrette

  Chilled seafood salad with paprika and lemon infused oil

  Garlic olive oil poached chicken with red apple balsamic glaze and sautéed apples

  Risotto with roasted porcini and infused oil

  Glazed strawberries with vanilla gelato and balsamic glaze

• Spice up your Life with a Free Travel Show Presented by Mayflower Tours
  Jan 29th through Feb 10th
  Various Times, check location
  36 Different Locations in the Midwest
  

  Today in Chicago it is currently 10 below, what better time to daydream of a trip to a warm, tropical island, warm, tropical island, or Arizona, Florida, California, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Egypt, Australia, so many warm choices? Our friends at Mayflower Tours, are currently hosting their annual Friendship Days, a series of free travel shows which take place at a variety of hotels throughout the Midwest. Learn all about their 2009 tours, while enjoying refreshments in a lovely, warm atmosphere. They have all sorts of options for you, from motor coach tours to exotic trips where you might even conduct a spice exploration of your own.

  

• The Spice House teams up with Wave for Cooking Classes!
  2/7/09 - 8/1/09 See individual classes dates
  2:30-4:30
  Wave Restaurant at W Hotel, 664 N. Lake Shore Drive
  

  Our customers are always asking us if we do cooking classes. We occasionally offer summer classes when we can use outdoor cooking facilities, but the reality is that it is hard to do cooking classes without a kitchen! So we were thrilled when the good folks at Wave asked us to join their classes as the spice experts. In other words, their very talented chef, Kristine Subido, who is a real expert, will do the cooking demonstrations. The Spice House lecturers will add interesting lore, history and augmented spice tastes to compliment the menu. We are REALLY excited about this. Priced at $60, this is an exceptional value. In addition to the demo and tasting, you receive a welcome cocktail, and five course meal with wine, along with recipes to take home. Please see individual class descriptions. For tickets please see Brown Paper Tickets.

  

• Cooking Class at Wave - Another take on Fondue....
  2/7/09
  2:30-4:30
  Wave Restaurant at W Chicago Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
  

  Another take on Fondue...from Switzerland, France, Italy, & China. Share in this interactive favorite, from savory to sweet, with a little touch of exotic in-between. We personally would rather be taking this class than participating in teaching it, the menu is going to be so delicious! (hopefully there will be a few leftover scraps!) Owners Patty and Tom Erd will be Spice House representatives at this class. When most of us Chicagoans think fondue, we think cheese and chocolate, yet fondue world wide can be so much more. In addition to the thousands of variations of cheese combinations and chocolate combinations, there are Asian hot pots, tempura, sukiyaki, praline fruit fondue pots, ice cream fondue pots, oil pots, spice flavored broth pots. We can't do all these but you will see some fun variations. Class is $60 includes welcome cocktail, demo, spice lore, tastings, several courses, wine and take home recipes. Please see Brown Paper Tickets to reserve tickets.

• Holiday Shopping on Central Street
  Sunday, December 7
  Noon to 4:00 pm
  Central Street between Green Bay and Hartrey
  

  It's the shopping event of the season on Evanston's Central Street!

  

  Come to the unique shops of Central street on Sunday, December 7th for an afternoon of holiday fun and shopping for the whole family. There will be carolers, elves, a giant Christmas tree, raffles and more! There's something for everyone on this street, so you can complete all your holiday shopping in one stress-free afternoon. The Spice House will be open until 4:00 pm Sunday afternoon, and we will be serving treats and snacks made by our talented staff. For more information, including a list of participating shops, visit the Central Street website.

• Christmas Walk and House Tour in Geneva
  Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6
  6:00 PM Friday - 4:00 PM Saturday
  Downtown Geneva Illinois
  

  Come visit the beautiful town of Geneva this weekend for some real holiday spirit. Enjoy Swedish cookies, roasted chestnuts, hot cider and freshly made candy canes while you stroll through the historic downtown. Tour Geneva's beautifully decorated distinctive houses and Santa's Gingerbread House. And don't forget to come by The Spice House for some delicious treats and pick up your holiday spices! For more information on this festive event, visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce website.

  

  Christmas Walk starts at 6:00 PM December 5 House Tours from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday

• Reception and book signing with James Beard Award Winners Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg for The Spice House Geneva's One Year Anniversary
  Saturday, November 15th, 2008
  4:00 - 6:00
  The Spice House, Geneva, 577 South 3rd Street
  

  Please join us as The Spice House, Geneva, celebrates it's one year anniversary. We have some very special guest that will help us spice up the occasion in the form of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. Their previous books, What to Drink with What You Eat, Becoming a Chef, Dining Out, and The New American Chef were all winners of or finalists for Gourmand World Cookbook, IACP, and/or James Beard books awards. They were also named weekly wine columnists for the Washington Post in 2007.

  Their latest book, The Flavor Bible, is sure to become a best seller at The Spice House, because so much of it has to do with spices. What spices and food pairings you want to choose to achieve the ultimate most flavorful end results in your cooking. This is not a recipe book, this is a manual and guide to creative culinary thinking. Even the most experienced cooks will find interesting new flavor ideas here. This book will enhance your imagination and expand your culinary creativity.

  We will prepare a reception of appetizers that we feel showcase the principles of the books flavor pairings. Our talented chef partners, Kevin Bozis and John Cirpinski always do a bang up job with their food presentation so be sure to try to drop by. We will also serve an anniversary cake, not your ordinary flavor. Be sure and join us. While the event is complimentary, we would appreciate your rsvp so we have an idea of how much food to prepare.

  Books will be availble for purchase ($35.00) to have signed - consider this wonderful, personalized book for the cook on your holiday list!

  Menu For CHICAGO events only - (The Milwaukee Public market is in charge of the Milwaukee event so it will vary.)

  -Parsnip Apple Soup with Apple Chips and Ceylon Cinnamon Infused Oil

  -Pumpkin Pesto with Bagel Chips

  -Warm Cardamom Chai Tea

  -Local Cheeses with Balsamic Vinegar and Nuts

  -Roast Beef Tenderloin with Herbes de Provence, Cracked Tellicherry Pepper, and Portuguese Salt Cream

  -Smoked Salmon with Moroccan BBQ sauce on Crackers with Chive Oil

  -Anniversary Cake

• Reception and Book Signing with James Beard Award Winners Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
  November 14th, 2008
  6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  Old Town Spice House, 1512 North Wells Street, Chicago
  

  You are in for a real treat. These folks are some of the most sought after speakers in the culinary world. They will do a presentation for us, followed by a tasting and book signing. Their previous books, What to Drink with What You Eat, Becoming a Chef, Dining Out, and The New American Chef were all winners of or finalists for Gourmand World Cookbook, IACP, and/or James Beard books awards. They were also named weekly wine columnists for the Washington Post in 2007.

  We are very excited by their latest book, The Flavor Bible, because it tells you what spices to pair with what foods to bring out the ultimate in flavor. The question of what spices pair up best with what, is one we have attempted to answer a thousand times, but we also have about a thousand different answers! So here is the book our customers have asked us for many, many times over the years, and this talented couple was dedicated enough to do the work, where as all we have to do is sell the book!

  We plan to showcase the book by preparing appetizers that will do justice to the books creative pairings and that also show off our wonderful fresh spices. In addition, wine samplings will also be paired with help from their book What to Drink with What you Eat. While this event is complimentary, we do ask that you rsvp to 312 274 0378 so we can get an accurate count for how much food and wine to have on hand.

  Books will be availble for purchase ($35.00) to have signed - consider this wonderful, personalized book for the cook on your holiday list!

  Menu: -Parsnip Apple Soup with Apple Chips and Ceylon Cinnamon Infused Oil -Pumpkin Pesto with Bagel Chips -Warm Cardamom Chai Tea -Local Cheeses with Balsamic Vinegar and Nuts -Roast Beef Tenderloin with Herbes de Provence, Cracked Tellicherry Pepper, and Portuguese Salt Cream -Smoked Salmon with Moroccan BBQ sauce on Crackers with Chive Oil -Roasted Pineapple -Ginger-Lemon Almond Squares

• Reception and Book Signing with James Beard Award Winners Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
  Thursday, November 13th, 2008
  6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  Milwaukee Public Market
  

  We are very excited to have Karen and Andrew again visit the Spice House. From their website - Described a decade ago as "the brightest young author team on the culinary scene today" (NPR) and subsequently as "culinary historians," "cultural anthropologists" and even "the Jane Goodalls of the chef world" (Food & Wine Radio Network) for chronicling the contemporary food revolution and the advent of today's era of celebrity chefs, Dornenburg and Page have been characterized as "incisive, hip" (Publishers Weekly) writers whose books are "extremely popular among, and indeed essential to, professional chefs" (WOR Radio).

  We are big fans of their work, and we don't know when they actually find time to sleep! Their newest book, The Flavor Bible, is an amazing endeavor in what we have always seen as a challenge too overwhelming for anyone to take on. This book serves as a guide to hundreds of ingredients along with the herbs, spices and other seasoning that allow you to put together flavors that are capable of producing the most flavorful results. We believe this book is going to become an indispensable resource book that you will always want to have at your fingertips in the kitchen or wherever you do your creative culinary thinking. (You might want to avoid the book in the shower, however!)

  We will prepare some tasty appetizers selections that we believe demonstrate the principles of amazing flavor combinations. Andrew and Karen will honor us with a talk reflecting on how their cookbooks and life's work has evolved and the many top chefs they have gleaned advice from along the way.

  We have many authors that pass through our Chicago Spice House that simply have no interest in coming to Milwaukee, which is not the way it should be. Please help us welcome Andrew and Karen so that they will go back to their other author/chef friends and tell them what they have been missing by bypassing the wonderful city of Milwaukee.

  While this event is free, we request that you rsvp to 414 431 0835 so that we can have an idea of how many people we are preparing food for. Books will be availble for purchase ($35.00) to have signed - consider this wonderful, personalized book for the cook on your holiday list!

• Tasting and book signing with Chef Clay Erickson
  Saturday, Nov 1
  noon
  The Milwaukee Public Market, 400 North Water Street
  

  Join us for this special event with one of The Spice House's favorite chefs. Chef Clay will be doing a cooking demonstration (i.e. knife skills, food safety, differences between Spices & Herbs, when to use fresh vs. dehydrated, etc.) and preparing one of the soups out of his new cookbook "25 Soups & One Chili". The "one chili" is a National Chili Competition award winning chili that Chef Clay has been good enough to include in his book. The book will be available for sale, and Chef Clay will personalize your copy.

  The best part of this event will be your chance to have a bowl of one of Chef Clay's homemade soups. He often brings us soup when he visits The Spice House and we are all trained like Pavlov's dogs to salivate when we see him coming! (That is how delicious his soups are.)

  Fifty percent of all profits from the sales of Chef Clay's cookbook are going to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Youth Ministry.

• Pepper, Paprika and more - The Spice House teams up with World Kitchen
  October 23
  6 - 8:30 pm
  66 E. Randolph Street
  

  What’s the real difference between chile pepper, pimento, paprika and other spicy ingredients? Come in to learn the history and use of these popular, though confusing, dry peppers. Steven Tobiason of The Spice House will share his extensive knowledge of all things spicy, then we will cook up some quick and easy recipes using all of them.

  If you are not familiar with World Kitchen, it is located in the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts. The classes are wonderful and with the city of Chicago offering them, they are kept at an incredibly reasonable price of $30 per class. For reservations please call 312 744 6630. Visit here for a listing of World Kitchen Classes.

• Green City Market book signing with Barbara Fairchild, Bon Appétit Editor
  Saturday, October 18
  9:30 am - 11:00 am
  Green City Market, south end of Lincoln park between Clark and Stockton
  

  If you missed the Thursday evening party with Barbara at The Spice House, here is another chance to purchase Bon Appétit's hot-off-the-press cookbook, titled -fast easy fresh- and have it personalized. It features 1,100 quick dishes for everynight cooking. Armed with this book, and all sorts of goodies from the market, you can start off Saturday evening's dinner fully inspired! When you purchase your book at the market, The Spice House will donate $5 per book to the great green cause. (The Green City Market)

  For more information about the market including chef tastings, what produce is in season, recipes and directions, please visit Green City Market

• Barbara Fairchild Reception and Bon Appétit Book Signing
  Thursday, October 16, 2008
  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  The Spice House, 1512 North Wells Street
  

  Please join us for a reception featuring tastings from the brand new Bon Appétit cookbook titled - fast easy fresh - 1,100 quick dishes for everynight cooking. The reception begins at 6:30 and Bon Appétit editor Barbara Fairchild will be with us until 8 to sign books and chat with you.

  Spice House staffers will be preparing tasty treats from the recipes in Fast Easy Fresh. Our delicious menu includes:

  -Bourbon Molasses chicken

  -Beef tenderloin with wasabi garlic cream

  -Moroccan shrimp

  -Pumpkin soup

  -Chocolate macaroon

  -Pumpkin raisin bar

  While the event is complimentary and sponsored by The Spice House, we do request you rsvp to 312 274 0378 or email spices@thespicehouse.com so that we can prepare enough food. Don't miss this special evening. A personalized book by someone of this caliber makes a really special holiday gift.

• Tasting and Booksigning with Chef Clay Erickson
  Saturday, November 1, 2008
  12-2 pm
  Milwaukee Public Market
  

  Join us for this special event with one of The Spice House's favorite chefs. Chef Clay will be doing a cooking demonstration (ie. knife skills, food safety, differences between Spices & Herbs, when to use fresh vs. dehydrated, etc.) and preparing one of the soups out of his new cookbook "25 Soups & One Chili". The book will be available for sale, and Chef Clay will personlize your copy.

  Chef Clay is a winner of the National Chili Competition, and has been a professional chef and family man since giving up a career in sales.

  Fifty percent of all profits from the sales of Chef Clay's cookbook are going to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Youth Ministry.

• Magic of Morocco - The Spice House teams up with World Kitchen
  09-25-2008
  6:00 - 8:30 pm
  66 E. Randolph Street, Chicago
  

  This exotic part of the world produces intriguing foods we've been curious to learn more about. This class will study the maps and menus as well as the spice combinations and methods that define the cooking of the Casbah. Spice expert Steven Tobiason, will add to the class with his vast knowledge of spices, and spice usage from this part of the world. $30 per class, please call 312 742 8497 for reservations.

• Book Signing and Recipe Tasting with Kate Gooding
  September 21, 2008
  1:00-4:00
  Milwaukee Public Market
  

  Join Kate Krukowski Gooding, author of Black Fly Stew, Wild Maine Recipes as she gives us a presentation/cooking demo. Our staff will prepare samplings for you to taste based on recipes from her book. We decided to offer this event in our Milwaukee location as we feel there are more hunters among our customer base in Wisconsin than in our Chicago locations. For those of you looking for new ways to cook venison, this is the lady you want to talk to!

  1:00 Reception begins, 1:30 Presentation/Demo, Question and Answer session followed by Book Signing

  While the event is free, we request you RSVP to 414 272 0977so that we can know how much food to prepare.

• Retail Therapy
  September 25, 2008
  6:00 - 9:00 pm
  Central Street between Green Bay and Hartrey, Evanston
  

  Come to Central Street Thursday, September 25 for a relaxing evening of shopping with discounts, prizes, and refreshments. The Spice House and its neighbors will be staying open until 9:00. Visit our shop at 1941 Central Street for homemade molasses cookies, Chef Clay Erickson's Cream of Chicken Tortilla Soup, and mulled cider.

• Festival of the Vine Celebration in Geneva
  September 12-14, 2008
  Friday-Sunday
  Downtown Geneva
  

  This is a terrific free family festival held in downtown Geneva. This autumn festival features a "taste of Geneva" area under a tent featuring many of the areas best restaurants. Taste small servings or larger servings sold accordingly for tickets. A nice selection of wine to choose from also. There is an art festival, including the Fall Harvest of Natural Art featuring gourds. Also a flower market, family games, music and other live entertainment. We will be sampling out free spicy goodies in the shop, please stop by. For more details see this link Festival of the vine.

• Wine Crush in Old Town
  Saturday, September 13
  11 am until 8:30
  Wells street, from North Avenue to Evergreen
  

  The Wine Crush in Old Town is an urban wine festival featuring an enticing opportunity to sample over 100 wines from around the world. The event transforms Wells Street into a European-style open market featuring wine and food pavilions serving the cuisine of popular neighborhood eateries.

  Aficionados and novices will have the opportunity to taste wines from domestic vineyards as well as from France, Italy, Australia, Spain, and Chile, among others. The Wine Crush also features live-stage performances throughout the festival. In addition to music, visitors will be treated to the second annual "Couture Crush Fashion Show."

  Please feel free to stop by the shop if you need a breather from the activites. We have a nice little patio garden in back where you can rest your feet!

  More more information and updates about the entertainment, see Old Town Wine Crush.

• Spice House Booth at Campton Hills 2nd Annual Heritage Farm Fest
  September 6th
  Farmer's market begins at 8am
  Campton Square Shopping Center, SE corner of LaFox Rd and Rte. 64
  

  We are excited to be part of this festival. The expanded farmer's market we will participate in takes place from at 8 am to 1:00 pm while the festival runs from 10 am until dusk. There will be stage shows, live music, a petting zoo, moonwalk and other games. Fun for the whole family.

  If you would like us to bring an individual order to your specifications, please call our shop to place your order at 1 630 262 1777.

• Central Street Sidewalk Sale and Family Fest
  Thursday through Saturday, July 10-12
  10am - 5pm
  Central Street between Green Bay and Hartrey
  

  Come to Central Street in Evanston between July 10 and 12 for a street-wide sidewalk sale, with a Family Fest and Art Fair on Saturday.

  

  The sidewalk sale will be ongoing, while the Family Fest will take place in Independence Park on Saturday, July 12. It will feature an art fair showcasing the work of budding young artists, storytelling from Nili Yelin, and a performance by the acclaimed Wee Hairy Beasties.

• Green City Market's Chef's Summer BBQ
  July 17, 2008
  6:00-8:00 pm
  Green City Market, south end of Lincoln Park, between Clark and Stockton
  

  The Green City Market, Chicago's premiere farmer's market, will be holding it's annual Summer Barbecue on Thursday, July 17th. Come enjoy an outdoor picnic prepared by 50 of Chicago's top chefs. Each chef will prepare offerings creatively featuring fresh market products. Samplings of local beers, wines, and other beverages will be included. Music and children's activities will make this a lovely family outing also. You are welcome to bring blankets and chairs to enhance your experience.

  Tickets for this event are $50 for adults and $10 for children and are available at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park or through our website, www.thespicehouse.com.

  All tickets sold on the day of the event, July 17th, will be $60 for adults and $15 for children. Children under 5 are admitted free.

  

• Watch The Spice House on Milwaukee Channel 12
  Saturday May 10
  Noon
  ABC Channel 12 Milwaukee
  

  Wisconsin Foodie, a new show on ABC Channel 12 in Milwaukee, premieres Saturday May 10th at noon. The first episode features the Milwaukee Public Market, including your own spice experts at The Spice House. You can watch a preview here, and don't miss us on Saturday!

  

• Retail Therapy on Central Street
  Thursday, April 17
  6:00 - 9:00 pm
  Evanston Spice House and Central Street Shops
  

  The shops on Central Street in Evanston, including the Evanston Spice House, will be staying open until 9:00 Thursday evening. We will be offering treats and beverages, and a 15% discount on all purchases after 6:00. Come enjoy a relaxing evening of shopping after work, while eating banana caramel walnut cake and spice cookies, sipping spiced cider, and saving money.

• Grand Opening in Geneva
  Thursday, April 3, 2008
  5:30 pm
  Geneva Spice House, 577 South 3rd Street
  

  

  Our newest location, in beautiful Geneva Illinois, will hold its Grand Opening on April 3rd. Although this store opened just before Christmas, we are planning to formally celebrate its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. We will be joined by the Chamber of Commerce and by Mayor Kevin Burns. The Spice House will provide appetizers featuring Spice House seasonings prepared by our chef/owners. We hope to see you there!

  For more information on our Geneva location, please visit our Geneva Store Page.

• Distilling the Essentials - Salt and Pepper
  March 8
  1-3 pm
  Kendall College
  

  Out of all the spices in the world, how did these two end come to be the most important table condiments in America? Join us for a lecture and tasting, March 8th at Kendall Culinary College. While it is always the goal of The Spice House to whet your appetite in the search for knowledge, we also know that many of you attend our programs to tickle your taste buds. We plan on offering our knowledge in conjunction with tastings to illuminate our point! We are just working on the program's menu now, so stay tuned to our website's current event section for more details. Program is $30, proceeds donated to Slow Food. For more information or to make reservations, please call our Old Town store at 312-274-0378.

• Celebrity Chef Showcase
  February 24
  11:00 am
  The Rafters Restaurant, Milwaukee
  

  The Spice House is proud to be a sponsor of the Celebrity Chef Showcase at The Rafters Restaurant. These great events are held every month, and feature recipes and cooking tips from area chefs. Admission is $35.00, and includes sampling the foods prepared and wine pairings. The next event is Feb. 24, “Everything Irish”, featuring favorite Irish dishes, a Micro-Brew presentation, and tips on cooking with beer. Seating begins at 11 AM, with presentations beginning at 12 PM. Visit www.rafters-milwaukee.com or www.celebritychefshowcase.com.

• Winter Flavors
  February 17, 2008
  1-3 pm
  Education Center of the Chicago Cultural Center
  

  As part of Chicago's month-long Museum of Modern Ice celebration, The Spice House will be joining World Kitchen for a Winter Flavors class. Tired of the dull cold Chicago winter? This class will warm you up - join us to learn about the history and use of peppers and paprikas. You'll learn to make (and taste!) several spicy dishes, including Beef Stew with Three Paprikas, Hot Pepper Mix salad dressing with Greek Salad, and Heaven Cornbread Muffins.

  Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call 312.742.TIXS (8497) or go to http://museumofmodernice.com/events/february17.html for more information.

• Cook Like a Chef
  February 13
  5:30-7:30 pm
  Superior Equipment and Supply Test Kitchen
  

  The Spice House is participating in the “Cook Like a Chef” series hosted by Superior Equipment & Supply. Join us in the Superior Test Kitchen to learn to use spices in restaurant-quility food. Tickets are only $10. Superior Equipment & Supply is located at 3101 S. 13th St. (13th & Oklahoma). Please visit www.superiorequipmentsupply.com for more info and other upcoming classes, or for a registration form.

• November Gift Box Sale!
  November 1st - 30th
  All Stores
  

  It's time for our annual gift box sale! Come into any of our stores in November and buy ten (or more!) gift boxes, and you'll get 10% off. We have dozens of boxes to choose from, and you can mix or match. Perfect for presents - get your holiday shopping done early!

  

• Not Your Mom's Apple Pie!
  Wednesday, October 17
  6:30 - 9:00 pm
  1601 Payne St., Unit C, Evanston
  

  Now We're Cookin' is offering a hands-on pie-making class! Come learn from a variety of experts the best ways to make mouth-watering apple pie. Patty and Tom Erd will team up with an apple grower and pastry chef to teach you how to choose the right apples and spices and make a perfect crust. You'll learn how to make the ultimate apple pie that's sure to become a family secret. You'll make two pies - one for the class, and one to take home.

  Class is $65 and requires registration. For more information go to the Now We're Cookin' website at www.nwcookin.com or call (847) 570-4140.

  

• Retail Therapy Night
  Thursday, October 18
  6:00 - 9:00 pm
  Central Street Shops
  

  Come to Central Street for a relaxing evening of shopping, sales, appetizers, wine, massage, special gifts, and a chance to win one of three fabulous gift baskets! The Central Street business district will be staying open until 9:00. Come to shop or just to browse, and remember, it's never too early to think about holiday shopping!

  For more information visit the Central Street Business Association's website at www.centralstreet-evanston.com

• Old Town Wine Crush
  Saturday, September 15
  11 am to 10 pm
  North Wells Street between North and Schiller
  

  

  The Spice House in Old Town is pleased to be part of the neighborhood's 5th annual Wine Crush. Join us for a day of exotic wines, delicious food, and live performances including Tony-award-winner Duncan Sheik. There will also be a grape-stomping competition. For more information go to www.chicagoevents.com .

• Late Summer Flavors
  Thursday, September 6
  6pm - 8:30pm
  Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph St, Chicago
  

  Come join The Spice House for a wonderful class at the World Kitchen! We'll be demonstrating the use of "warm flavor" spices to bring out the best flavors in the produce available now in farmer's markets. World Kitchen will be using these spices to make a full menu of delicious dishes.

  In this hands-on coarse you'll be making six delicious dishes: North Carolina Sweet Potato Casserole, Fall Favorite Stuffed Roast Pork Loin, Chicken and Basmati Rice Pilau with cardamom, saffron, and ginger, Yogurt Sauce, Jamaican Chocolate Cake, and Pear and Ginger Crisp.

  Late summer is the time of the most natural abundence - learn to take advantage of what's in season. Spice House staffer Steven will be joining the usual World Kitchen instructors for this event.

  World Kitchen events are $30 and require pre-registration; please call (312) 742-8497 for tickets or visit their website www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalAffairs for more information.

• Playing With Your Food
  Sunday, August 26
  12-4 pm
  G.A.R. Rotunda, Chicago Cultural Center
  

  Join the Spice House at the Chicago Cultural Center to make your own spiced sugars!

  From noon to 4pm, the GAR Hall and Rotunda at the Chicago Cultural Center will be hosting Art of Play Chicago's FREE Playing With Your Food event. Kids of all ages (even the adult ones!) can carve veggies, make edible jewelry, create personal stationary, decorate cakes, and join The Spice House to make custom sugar blends.

  For more information, go to Art of Play's website at www.artofplaychicago.com

• The Spice House teams up with Erwin Restaurant!
  Monday, June 25th
  6:30
  Erwin Restaurant, 2925 North Halsted Ave, Chicago
  

  A CURE FOR THE MONDAY NIGHT BLUES

  Erwin café and bar offers workshops on Monday evenings so diners can bring some of the magic home. Take a peek inside erwin's pantry. Spice House owner Tom Erd will be the guest lecturer at this wonderful event. You have a chance to experience a wonderful three course meal while learning about the spices used in each course. You will leave with a nice goodie bag from the Spice House, and we will have some of the evenings featured spices for sale.

  erwin's web site says Learn. Dine. Discover. Shop. For more information - http://www.erwincafe.com/events.html or call 773 528 7200 for details and information.

• The Spice House at Taste of Chicago
  6/29/07 thru 7/8/07
  10-7
  The International Pavilion, nest to Buckingham Fountain
  

  When the city of Chicago offered us a booth at the Taste, we were, frankly, baffled. Do you know we are not a restaurant, we asked? Yes, they said, we are starting a brand new area where ethnic items, jewelry, fabrices, artwork, homegoods and such will be sold. AND we are putting it in a really great spot. We would love to have you there. We mulled it over. As a first time event, they made us a rent offer that was incredibly affordable. Would we really sell anything to people out there primarily for all the delicious food? Would it make sense? As they say timing is everything. We just signed a lease for a new store in Geneva. What better way could there be to get the word out about our five shops, than to just talk to people and pass out catalogs? So, we are going out on a limb, and we will see what happens. Please stop by and say hello. Tell Tom that Patty was wise to do this!

  Whenever we do markets, we just can't pack up the entire store and bring it with us. So whatever we bring, the first five folks will naturally ask us for spices we have not brought. If your spice cabinet is looking a little bare, and you need specific items, please just call the shop at 312 274 0378. If you give us 48 hours notice, we can get back to the shop and bring your itemized order for you.

• Patricia Wells Book Signing and Tasting Event
  May 6th, 2007
  3:30 - 5:00, Author talk at 4:00
  Milwaukee Public Market, 400 North Water Street, Milwaukee, Wi. 53202
  

  You are invited to attend an event in honor of Patricia Wells, sponsored by The Spice House in conjunction with The Milwaukee Public Market. The talented culinary staff of the market's Madame Kuony's Kitchen will team up with The Spice House to prepare samplings from Patricia's latest book, "Vegetable Harvest". Naturally, the party would not be complete without wine! We will have copies of Patricia's newest book for you to purchase and have personalized and she will give a talk with question and answer period at 4:00.

  Patricia Wells is an American journalist and author who has lived in France since 1980. Restaurant critic of the International Herald Tribune, she is the author of nine books: "The Food Lover's Guide to Paris," "The Food Lover's Guide to France," "Bistro Cooking," "Simply French," "Patricia Wells' Trattoria," "L'Atélier de Joel Robuchon," "Patricia Wells at Home in Provence" (honored with the James Beard Award for Best International Cookbook), "The Paris Cookbook" and her latest, "The Provence Cookbook." Patricia is also the only foreigner and the only woman ever to be restaurant critic for a major French publication (L'Express).

  We hope you will join us for this extraordinary event. While the event is presented with our compliments, we do require you to please rsvp to The Spice House, 414-272-0977 in order to prepare an adequate amount of food and wine.

• IACP Host City Opening Reception
  4/11/07
  7:00-9:30
  The Merchandise Mart, Wells and Kinzie
  

  If you are attending the IACP conference in Chicago, please be sure and stop by our Spice House display at the opening night gala. The idea is to represent a Feast of the Senses, and you can imagine which sense The Spice House was selected for. We would love to meet you and answer any spice questions you have.

• IACP Event - Tour Stop
  SOLD OUT
  Tuesday, April 10th, 2007
  The Spice House Evanston
  

  When the International Association of Culinary Professionals comes to Chicago for its annual convention, one of the optional tour stops will be The Spice House. Owners Patty and Tom Erd will have a spice show and tell tasting, including a brief show of the grinding equiptment. The tour is titled "Behine the Scenes: Organice, Spices and Technology. It includes stops at Goodness Greeness, The Spice House, lunch at the wonderful Prairie Grass cafe and a touir of the Innovation Center at the REsearch and Development Center for Kraft Foods.

• Seminar - Herbs and Spices - East and West:History, Culinary Traditions, and Bulding Blocks of Cooking
  April 12th, 2007
  SOLD OUT
  The Chicago Hilton
  

  Patty Erd, Spice House co-owner, is very proud to sit on a panel of spice experts including Nina Simonds, Madhur Jaffrey, and Jill Norman for a seminar for the Interational Association of Culinary Professionals. The panel will provide attendees with multi-faceted knowledge of herbs and spices with specific culinary applications (contemporary and traditional) in Europe, India, China and the U.S. Panelists will introduce the broad usage of herbs and spices in Asia, with their initial emphasis on medicinal properties as well as flavor. The speakers will also talk about the history of herbs and spices, concentrating on Eurpose and the Mediterranean; and introduce the rich repertory of herbs and spice mixtures used in Indian cooking, giving herb combinations for specific dishes. Attendees will also receive extensive background information on health-giving properties, tips about usage, storage as well as printed spice glossaries and samples.

• Making Mole, from the Kitchen of Cempazuchi
  03/24/2007
  12 PM
  Madame Kuony's Kitchen, Milwaukee Public Market
  

  Join us in Madame Kuony's Kitchen as The Spice House presents a FREE demonstration from the kitchen of Cempazuchi, a Milwaukee gem specializing in tradtional Oaxacan fare. First on the menu will be Mole Poblano con Enchilada de Pollo (chicken enchiladas with Mole Poblano). This classic dish from Puebla Mexico is known by many as the "chocolate mole". It has a creamy, sweet fruit flavor, mild pepper spice, hints of cinnamon, anise, chocolate and a light smoky finish. The kitchen will also construct Ensalada de Frijoles Negro (black bean salad), a refreshing summer dish that combines some classic Mexican staples. Don't miss this chance to taste and take home the recipes!

• Preparing a Delicious Meal for Valentine's Made Simple
  Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb 11
  2 PM on Saturday, 1:30 PM on Sunday
  Madame Kuony's Kitchen, Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI
  

  Join the Spice House for a free presentation of preparing a delicious meal for your Valentine. We'll be featuring roasted winter squash and carrot soup, baked fish (TBA) with Cook Island chutney, coconut-cardamom rice, dressed pea pods, and macaroons dipped in dark chocolate flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and chiles. No registration is required and recipes will be available to take home as well as a helpful preparation timeline and a market shopping list. Tell your friends!

• Playing with your Food
  Sunday, January 21st
  Noon - 4 p.m.
  Gar Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street
  

  Add one-part demonstrations, two-parts food-inspired crafts, and stir in a cookbook author fair for an afternoon of culinary good times. Watch 10 professional artists make jewelry, sculptures, note cards and wrapping paper with food. Use their expert tips for "playing with your food" in a variety of creative ways including cake decorations and food-inspired art making. Decorate note cards with spices, creat a potato-stamp masterpiece, carve flowers and animals from fruits and vegetables, or design a pasta mosaic. At the cookbook author fair, converse with local authors demonstrating their recipes and selling and signing their books.

  The Spice House will be bringing spices for the spice note cards and also demonstating how to make pomander balls.

• Easy and Delicious Recipes for Superbowl Sunday
  Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21
  Noon on both days
  Madame Kuony's Kitchen, Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St., Milwaukee WI
  

  Join the Spice House for a free presentation of delicious and easy to make recipes for gameday entertaining. We'll be featuring beef and pork chili, our yummy sloppy joes, skillet cornbread with chiles, and a couple of dips for your chips and veggies. Taste them all and take the recipes home so you can feed your Sunday guests!

• 10 Exotic Spices
  Saturday, January 13th
  11a.m. - 2 p.m.
  Education Center at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
  

  Patty and Tom Erd, owners of The Spice House will conduct this demonstration-style class. Examine the history and origin of exotic spices and how they traveled to kitchens around the world. Taste the flavors in simple preparations and receive recipes to use at home. Recipes we are now testing for the class include;

  Edamame with Spicy Peppercorn Salt Mazarabic Chicken Saffron Rice Goat Cheese Potato Galette with Fennel Pollen Curry Cardomom Cookies Chai Deluxe

  Cost of class is $30, for reservations (required) please call 312 742 8497

• Book Signing Evening with Barbara Fairchild of Bon Appétit magazine
  Thursday, September 28th, 2006
  7pm - 9pm
  The Spice House 1512 N Wells St, Chicago, IL
  

  Join us as we welcome Barbara Fairchild, Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appétit magazine, to celebrate the release of "The Bon Appétit Cookbook".

  While Barbara Fairchild will be on hand to discuss and sign books, the talented culinary crew at The Spice House will provide complimentary appetizers prepared especially from the recipes in the book.

  Editor Barbara Fairchild brings together more than 1,200 of the magazine's all-time favorite recipes in "The Bon Appétit Cookbook.” Packed with test-kitchen secrets, it's the ultimate culinary companion. You won’t be disappointed with this large collection of classics enhanced with thirty-two pages of gorgeous color photographs to tempt and inspire. This book is a must for those who truly love to make and enjoy great food! Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned expert, you will turn to it again and again—for reference, for ideas, and, of course, for terrific recipes.

  "You can always tell a Bon Appétit recipe: It's a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic, and it's easy to make...our goal is to give you the cumulative expertise of Bon Appétit, with more than 1,200 recipes that will be delicious, first time out." —BARBARA FAIRCHILD

  While the event is complimentary, we ask that you RSVP by Monday, September 25th by calling 312-274-0378, or email spices@thespicehouse.com.

  If you can not attend the event but would like to reserve a personalized copy of the book, please call the above number with a credit card handy. We hope to see you there.

• The Wine Crush in Old Town
  Saturday, September 9th, 2006
  11 am - 10 pm
  North Wells Street, between North Avenue and Schiller Street, Chicago, IL
  

  Wells Street becomes a European-style market for this fourth annual festival. Sample approximately 50 wines from around the world and cuisine from neighborhood eateries. Also, watch cooking demonstrations, browse arts and crafts, watch a grape stomping competition, hear live music and enjoy a wine tasting (1-6 p.m.).

  Price for admission is $6 ($15 for wine-tasting). Proceeds benefit the Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization-Illinois Affiliate and the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.

  Produced by the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association. 773-868-3010

• Chicago Air & Water Show Sidewalk Sale
  Saturday, August 19 & Sunday, August 20, 2006
  11 am - 4 pm both days
  Chicago's Lake Michigan Lakefront
  

  The businesses of Old Town Chicago will be holding a sidewalk sale in conjuction with the foot traffic to the fabulous Air & Water show.

  As planes fly overhead, stop by The Spice House at 1512 N Wells Street and say hello!

  Visit the City of Chicago's website at www.cityofchicago.org for more details on the show events.

• Summer Celebration
  Thursday, July 27th, 2006
  6-8pm (Rain or Shine)
  Green City Market Location, South End of Lincoln Park, between Stockton & Clark at Lincoln
  

  Les Dames d'Escoffier presents a Chicago Chefs' Summer Celebration to benefit Chicago's Green City Market.

  Tickets will be mailed to you for free. When ordering tickets, order must be placed separately from any other products on The Spice House website for free shipping.

  This is one of the great summer events in Chicago. This grand picnic is held in a beautiful venue, the lovely Lincoln Park, with the fabulous Chicago skyline as a backdrop.

  45 of the city's top chefs will make dishes featuring the bounty of our farmers market. Wine, beer and other tasty beverages all included. New this year will be an activity area for children, called Sprouts, donated by Purple Asparagus and live music from the band Sticky Lupree.

  For more information, including a list of the illustrious chefs, see below.

  Featured Chefs include:

  NEW ADDITIONS:

  Christopher David, NoMi Michael Tsonton, Copper Blue

  Carrie Nahabedien, NAHA Judy Contino/Celeste Zeccola, Bittersweet Bakery Sarah Stegner/George Bumbaris, Prairie Grass Café Carolyn Collins with Rick Gresch, Collins Caviar Jolene Worthington, Eli’s Cheesecake Martial Noguier, 160 Blue Michelle Antonishek, Four Seasons Pastry Kevin Hickey, Four Seasons Hotel Terry Crandall, The Peninsula Hotel Mark Payne, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Bruce Sherman, North Pond Cafe Dean Zanella, 312 Chicago Koren Grieveson, Avec Paul Kahan, Blackbird Stephanie Izard, Scylla John Bubala, Timo Michael Altenberg, Bistro Campagne Paul Virant, Vie Mindy Segal, Hot Chocolate Tony Priolo, Coco Pazzo Chris Nugent, Les Nomades Christian Eckmann, Ambria Theo Gilbert, Windy City Pasta Vincent Di Battista, Campagnola Susan Goss, West Town Tavern John Caputo, Bin 36 Priscila Satkoff, Salpicon Roger Herring, Socca Sofia Solomon, Tekla Judith Schaad, Capriole Farms Della Gosset, Charlie Trotter’s Rick Bayless, Frontera/Topolobampo Ina Pinckney, Ina’s with Chicago Smoke Debra Sharp, Cru Wine Bar & Cafe Shawn McClain, Custom House Greg Christian, Greg Christian Catering Nancy Carrey, Red Hen Bakery Randy Zweiban, Nacional 27 Rita Gutekanst/Brian Shustrick, Limelight: Food Illuminated Jason Handelman/Pamela Fitzpatrick, Fox & Obel Joncarl Lachman, HB…A Hearty Boys Spot Mark Baker, University Club

  Beverages provided courtesy of August Hill Winery, Chicago Wine Merchants, Connoisseur Wines, Good Island Brewery, Heritage Wine Cellars, llouis Glunz Wines, Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea, Lynfred Winery, Paterno Wines International and San Pellegrino Waters.

  Organized by Les Dames d’Escoffier, Chicago Chapter: an organization of professional women in the food, fine beverage & hospitality industries.

  Chicago’s Green City Market is a 501c3 organization. Donations are tax deductible. Children under 5 years old get in free.

  Les Dames D'Escoffier and The Spice House would like to thank Table XI for the generous contribution of their time in setting up online ticket purchasing. Visit their website at www.TableXI.com.

• Anatolia at the Crossroads
  Thursday, July 13th, 2006
  6:30pm - 8pm
  Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E Randolph Street
  

  Travel back in time to the historic Silk Road through a celebration of Turkish history, music and culture.

  The Asiatic portion of contemporary Turkey, known as Anatolia, is the centerpiece of an evening that explores the region's rich history, culture and traditions. Presented as part of Silk Road Chicago, Summer 2006.

  The event will feature displays of handmade ceramic tiles, paintings, hand-crocheted and woven textiles and hand-painted silk, as well as a re-creation of a traditional Eastern Anatolian home, complete with silk and wool carpet, pillows, low copper coffee tables and Turkish tea cups. There will be a presentation and musicians. The evening concludes with a short presentation about Turkish cuisine and its elements. The event includes a spice and dried-fruit bazaar exhibit, and The Spice House will contribute a spice display.

  This is a free event, but reservations are required and can be made by calling 312-742-8497.

• The Silk Road in a Garden
  Tuesday, July 11th, 2006
  7 - 8:30 pm
  The Backyard Garden @ The Old Town Spice House 1512 N Wells Street, Chicago
  

  In conjunction with The City of Chicago's Silk Road Project, The Spice House is offering this lecture and food tasting entitled: Seasoning the Silk Road with Sumptuous Spices.

  Follow your taste buds to samples and stories of spices and culinary innovations that emerged from the historic Silk Road trade route that grace your table today. Owners, Tom and Patty Erd will entertain us with spice stories from the Silk Road and The Spice House crew of chefs will dazzle you with some aromatic treats.

  Spices such as cinnamon, ginger and star anise season recipes for you to taste. The menu includes:
  Chinese 5 Spice Marinated Pork Satay with Asian Coleslaw Argyle Street Seared Ahi Tuna with Sesame Sticky Rice and Wasabi Sauce Spicy Sichuan Shrimp Thai Vegetable Curry Silk Route Ice Cream with Quadruple Ginger Cookies.

  Admission is $25 per person. Space is limited. Call 312-274-0378 for reservations. Reservation and cancellation deadline is Sunday, July 9.

• Evanston Central Street Merchants 24th Annual Family Fest & Craft Fair
  Saturday, July 8th & Sunday, July 9th, 2006
  Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm
  Indepence Park (1/2 block west of The Spice House 1941 Central Street)
  

  This fun-filled activity schedule is free for everyone. Bring your friends and family to these events:

  Saturday, July 8th 10am Family Yoga Demonstration 11am Danny Donuts, Vaudeville Children's Performer 12noon Mindy Hestor, Children's Music Performer 1pm Mudlark Theatre Company 2-5pm Dance All Night DJ

  Sunday, July 9th 10am The Storybook Mom 11am Language Stars 1pm Bruce Holmes, Folk Singer 2pm Hog Eye Music Band 3pm Music Institute of Chicago, Summer Kids Theatre 4pm Mudlark Theatre Company

  Free face painting available both days.

  There will be a Sidwalk Sale up and down Central Street Thursday, July 6th - Sunday, July 9th from 10am - 6pm in conjunction with the festival. Visit The Spice House on your way to the activities!

• Old Town Chicago Art Fair
  Saturday, June 10 & Sunday, June 11, 2006
  10 am - 6 pm
  Old Town Chicago
  

  Here at the Chicago Spice House, our street is taken over by artists, vendors and musicians one weekend every summer.

  Join in the fun of art browsing, fair food, and carousing with drinks and live entertainment.

  Stop by the store at 1512 N Wells Street and say hello!

  Visit www.oldtowntriangle.com/artfair.html for details on the festivities.

• Author Booksigning and Tasting with Bill & Cheryl Alters Jamison
  Tuesday, June 6th, 2006
  5:30 - 7pm
  Milwaukee Public Market, Palm Garden (Second Floor)
  

  Milwaukee Public Market 400 North Water Street, Milwaukee

  We are bursting with excitement to hold our first event at the Milwaukee Public Market. Join us with America's foremost authorities on grilling, barbeque, and smoke cooking. Our appetizer menu will include wine and the following recipes from the book:

  Shrimp Romesco, Grilled Egg Plant Rolls, Pork Tenderloin rubbed with Fennel & Coriander served on Crostini with Mustard and Honey Sauce, Tamarind-Tangerine Chicken, Brown-butter Apple & Pine Nut Cake with Spice Route Ice Cream

  Cheryl & Bill Jamison will be talking about their newest book, the "Big Book of Outdoor Cooking" which will be released in early May of 2006.

  Big is an understatement. The Jamisons have put all of their knowledge about outdoor cooking and entertaining into one colossal, comprehensive guide with more than 850 recipes and hundreds of tips and how-tos for grilling, barbecuing, smoking, planking,and big-pot frying and boiling. This 544-page volume includes recipes and instructions on making everything from seasonings to shellfish, from sunset drinks to flamed-kissed salads, from tacos to turkeys to franks and fruit as well everything necessary for easy outdoor entertaining.

  While the event is complimentary, we ask that you RSVP to our Milwaukee store at 414 272 0977 so we can be sure to have plenty of food.

  This event is held inconjunction with the American Institute of Wine & Food. There will be a dinner following the booksigning at Sauce Restaurant down the street from the market. Visit www.aiwf.org/milwaukee for more information.

• Eating Along the Silk Road
  Saturday, June 3rd, 2006
  11 am - 2 pm
  Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
  

  This City of Chicago Event is hosted by the Gallery 37 World Kitchen.

  Explore the Silk Road with us when we learn about spices that were carried from place to place by merchants and explorers. We will learn the legends and lore as well as contemporary uses for some of the more exotic spices found along the Silk Road.

  This class sponsored by The Spice House, and Tom Erd and Jennifer Statz will be there to present fascinating spice info.

  This will be a hands on class, and you'll be able to taste everything made with a delicious group meal to finish.

  Classes cost $30. For more information, or to sign up, visit the Gallery 37 website at www.g37centerforthearts.org and go to the World Kitchen venue.

• Milwaukee RiverSplash
  June 2, 3 &4, 2006
  Events All Day
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  

  Enjoy Milwaukee at it's best with this fun summer gathering. Events for the whole family! Visit their website for details.

  www.riversplash.com

  The Milwaukee Spice House will have extended hours during the festival. Call (414)272-0977 for times.

• The Evanston Spice House 10 Year Anniversary
  Sunday, May 21st, 2006
  3 - 5pm
  1941 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois
  

  Please join us in a champagne toast in honor of our ten year anniversary!

  We will be making some of our favorite spicy nibbles, including Jerk Chicken Wings, Chinese 5 Spiced Pork, Spice Boiled Shrimp, Pesto Dip and more.

  This event is complimentary, but please RSVP to our Evanston store at 847-328-3711, or email us at spices@thespicehouse.com, so we have enough food for the celebration.

• Ethiopian Cuisine and Beer Tasting
  Saturday, April 29th, 2006
  8 pm
  Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant 5846 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
  

  Who thought Ethiopian cuisine and French Canadian Beers had anything to do with each other?

  We are the guests of Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant, as Tom Erd, of the Spice House will explain a history of the Spice Trade and how the cuisine of chef Zenash Beyene and the beers of Unibroue (Chambly, Quebec) share more in common than you’d think! Jim Javenkoski of Unibroue will be on hand to guide participants in an informal sensory pairing.

  $25 Reservations accepted by cash or credit card.

  For more information call 773-506-9601 or email rasdashen@ameritech.net

  Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant 5846 N Broadway Chicago, IL Peruse their website at www.rasdashenchicago.com.

• Distinctive Flavors Class at Gallery 37's World Kitchen
  Thursday, November 3rd, 2005
  6 pm
  66 East Randolph Street, Chicago
  

  The Spice House teams up with the City of Chicago's Gallery 37 for "Distinctive Flavors -- Herbs & Spices". This class will feature flavors from the Middle East.

  Gallery 37's World Kitchen is committed to exploring Chicago's diverse cultural heritage through ethnic cuisines. Their classes focus on culinary skills and techniques in their state-of-the-art facility. We will learn about the origins and history of some of the spices of the world, as well as, gathering a whole lot of new ways to use them. You will garner selections to expand your spice cupboard as well as your kitchen knowledge.

  The class will focus on the cuisine and spices of the Middle East. Chef Jennifer "JR" Statz from The Spice House will be on hand to talk about the spices used in this region.

  All World Kitchen classes are $30 and require pre-registration. Reservations can be made by phone (312-742-TIXS) or in person at their box office. For more information, check out their website at www.gallery37.org.

• A Spicy Asian Journey
  Saturday, August 20th, 2005
  1 - 3 pm
  Kendall College, 900 N Branch St, Chicago
  

  The Spice House teams up with Kendall College to offer another event for the city of Chicago's summer culinary celebration, "Stirring Things Up in Chicago."

  Spice experts, and The Spice House owners, Tom and Patty Erd will take you on a journey down the ancient Asian spice road, culminating in the current role spices play in the cutting edge culinary trend of Pan-Asian cuisine. Share samples to tantalize your taste buds, and take home a spicy goodie bag.

  At the end of the experience, tour the new Kendall College culinary kitchens.

  This event is $10 per person. Registration is available by calling The Spice House at 312-274-0378. Please register early, as these events tend to fill up quickly.

• Feast of the Senses - food, wine & art
  Thursday, July 14th, 2005
  6 - 8:30 pm
  River North Art Galleries, Chicago
  

  This is the 6th annual edible walking tour sponsored by the Chicago Art Dealers Association. Eighteen prominent art galleries will host prominent Chicago chefs, wineries, breweries, specialty shops and more.

  The Spice House will be among the art works, showing the broad sensory experience spices can bring. Seek Tom and Patty Erd out among the revelers and culture seekers. They'll have sample tastings of brownies with cacao nibs and cookies with ginger nibs along with info on spice usage and history.

  The event starts with check in at 5:30 pm at Allen's - An American Cafe 217 W. Huron. Advanced tickets are $45 (highly recommended) available online at www.chicagocooks.com.

  Please join us in supporting Slow Food, Common Threads, and Purple Asparagus - three amazing not-for-profits that focus on food and culture!

• A Spicy Booksigning and Tasting with Author Dave De Witt
  Sunday, July 10th and Tuesday, July 12th, 2005
  Sunday (7/10) 1 - 3pm at the Milwaukee Spice House <br>Tuesday (7/12) 7 - 9pm at the Old Town Chicago Spice House
  

  "The Pope of Peppers," Dave De Witt, has an exciting new book that goes way beyond chile peppers and covers black pepper, mustard, horseradish, ginger, and wasabi. "The Spicy Food Lover's Bible" has plenty of food history, as well as how to use and store these spicy ingredients. With more than 250 recipes, this volume is truly a bible and is very comprehensive.

  This customer appreciation event will include many sample tastings of recipes from "The Spicy Food Lover's Bible," and the "Pope" himself will be on hand to sign a personal copy for you. He will talk from 1:30 - 2pm on Sunday in Milwaukee, and from 7:30 - 8pm in Chicago. Bring on the questions! Join us for good food and great company!

  Please R.S.V.P. for these events, so we have enough food and drink for everyone! For Milwaukee, please call 414-272-0977. For Chicago, please call 312-274-0378.

  Follow Dave on his country-wide media tour on his website www.fiery-foods.com.

• Chicago, a Spicy Melting Pot!
  Thursday, June 16 & Friday, June 17, 2005
  7 - 8:30 pm
  The Spice House, Old Town Chicago, 1512 N Wells Street
  

  The Spice House teams up with the city of Chicago for their summer culinary celebration, "Stirring Things Up in Chicago."

  Join a discussion of world spices that have made their way into ethnic Chicago neighborhoods. Sample spicy tastings that will take your taste buds on a trip around the world.

  This event is $10 per person. Registration is available by calling The Spice House at 312-274-0378. Please register early, as these events tend to fill up quickly.

• Spices: Their History, Influence, and Use
  Monday, April 25th, 2005
  7pm
  Williams-Sonoma @ Bloomingdale's, 900 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
  

  Long-time Spice House crew member, Chef Steve Tobiason, will be leading this lecture and cooking demonstration.

  The lecture will be an historical review and demystification of spices and their flavors, as well as, their unique influence on the world and modern civilization. Following the lecture, there will be a cooking demonstation and tasting using the spices discussed in the first half of the class.

  The menu includes: Four Pepper Crusted Tuna Loin on a Bed of Mixed Baby Greens with Curry Oil and Fleur de Sel, and Vanilla Rice Pudding (using two varieties of vanilla--Tahitian and Madagascan--to savor the difference).

  Contact Williams-Sonoma at 312-587-8080 to sign up.

• Spice up the Season at the Calphalon Culinary Center
  Wednesday, February 23rd, 2005
  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
  Calphalon Culinary Center 1000 W Washington Blvd, Chicago
  

  "Stimulate your human senses as you discover spices both subtle and powerful."

  Tom and Patty will be on hand to extoll the virtues of spices and answer questions such as when whole or ground is the best choice for your dish, and how to best store your spices to preserve their flavor and freshness. This is a demonstration class, and the chef will be preparing a number of recipes in class, using delicious spices as Tom and Patty talk about their uses.

  The menu includes: Sweet Curry Carrot Soup, Chinese Five Spice Chicken Salad in a Crispy Wonton Bowl, Spicy Louisiana Crawfish & Sausage Gumbo, and Cardamon Creme Brulee.

  Please see the Calphalon website (Calphalon.com), or call toll-free 1-866-780-7799, for details and to sign-up for this event.

• A Spicy Journey with author Marilyn Pocius
  Saturday, January 8th, 2005
  1 - 3 p.m.
  The Spice House 1512 N Wells Street, Chicago
  

  This event is sponsored by The Spice House in conjunction with the City of Chicago's Winter Delights "Stir it Up" weekend and author Marilyn Pocius.

  Join Tom and Patty, along with Marily Pocius (author of "A Cook's Guide to Chicago") for a look at the the world of herbs and spices.

  There will be various tastings of recipes from Marilyn's book, prepared by Spice House crew members Chef Kevin Bozis and Chef Jennifer Statz, as well as author demonstrations throughout the program. The menu includes: Simple Mango Salsa, Julie's Ancho Pepper Dip, Pomegranate Chicken, and Cheater's Tandoori Chicken.

  This event is free, but reservations are required.

• Alton Brown
  December 8 - 9:30 a.m. CST, Dec 9 - 1:30 a.m. CST,
  Dec 12 - 7 a.m. CST, Dec 23 - 9:30 p.m. CST, Dec 24 - 1 a.m. CST
  The Food Network
  

  Check out the Spice House on Alton Brown's Good Eats ever-so-classic fruit cake episode.

  We had the most delightful time when Alton, his wife, and his crew spent a whole Saturday in our shop. (Alton is a true perfectionist)! When it was finally time to go home, they surprised us by giving us a homemade fruitcake. We kept it frozen and took it home to Wisconsin where we toasted it and slathered it with butter for our Christmas breakfast with the family. What a nice treat. If you like fruitcake, this show will give you the best ever recipe. (also available on the Food Network's web site)

• The Lure and Lore of Spices Presentation
  October 22nd and 23rd
  10:00am - 11:30 am
  The Chalet Nursery Education Center, 3132 Lake Ave, Wilmette, Il
  

  Patty and Tom Erd, Spice House owners, will do their classic spice presentation featuring the fascinating history of spices along with interesting spice lore, including spice differential tastings. Followed by a stimulating question and answer session. Spice goodie bags available to the first 50 people attending. The phone number at The Chalet is 847 256 0561.

• Author Booksigning and Reception with David Rosengarten
  Monday, October 4th, 2004
  5:00 - 6:30
  1512 North Wells St, Chicago Il 60610
  

  Please join The Spice House in a customer appreciation event. Our talented culinary staff will be preparing hors d'oeuvres served with wine from David's new book, DAVID ROSENGARTEN ENTERTAINS: FABULOUS PARTIES FOR FOOD LOVERS. David, a well known Cookbook author, travel writer and TV journalist will be on hand to chat with you and sign copies of his new book.

  While the event is complimentary, we ask that you RSVP by calling 312-274-0378, or email spices@thespicehouse.com.

  If you can not attend the event but would like to reserve a personalized copy of the book, please call the above number with a credit card handy. We hope to see you there.

• Friends of McKinley Park Library Presentation
  Sunday, July 18th, 2004
  1:00 pm
  Connie's Restaurant, 2373 Archer, Chicago
  

  Throughout time, man’s destiny has been shaped by the search for the elusive spices coveted by nobility and royalty. The history of the spice trade reveals fascinating tales of piracy, adventures and wars battled to control the spice trade. Exotic myths arose in explanation of the expense of the spice treasures. Patty and Tom Erd have spent their lives as spice merchants in pursuit of the highest quality spices from locations all over the globe. They will share interesting historical facts, anecdotes and entertaining tales of daring do! For more information on Friends of McKinley Park, please visit them at this address, FOMPL@YELLOWSTONE.NET

• Spicy Olive Tasting in Conjunction with our neighbor Tizi Melloul
  Monday, June 21st, 2004
  5:30 to 8:00pm
  531 N. Wells Street
  

  SPICES FOR ALL SENSES FESTIVAL MONDAY, JUNE 21 TO SUNDAY, JUNE 27

  Tizi Melloul will celebrate the spices of the Mediterranean this summer with the Spices for All Senses week-long celebration taking place Monday, June 21 to Sunday, June 27. The festival will begin with a special olive tasting and continue through the week with special dishes and wine pairings. Monday, June 21 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.: 12 Olives for $12 - Tizi Melloul will feature 12 different Mediterranean spices such as cardamom, anise, caraway, cumin and coriander. The evening will showcase a walk-around tasting of olives, each marinated with a different spice. Each olive mixture will be paired with one of three wines from the restaurant's specialty wine list. In addition, a spice expert from The Spice House crew, Chef Jennifer Statz, will be on hand to answer questions. Guests who correctly identify 10 of the 12 spices will win a gift certificate to The Spice House.

  Admission for the 12 Olives for $12 event is $12 (paired wines included). Reservations for 12 Olives for $12 may be made by calling Tizi Melloul at (312) 670-4338.

  In addition, Tizi Melloul will offer guests a special Spices of the Mediterranean menu with wine pairing recommendations for each dish in the main dining room throughout the week.

• Author Booksigning and Reception with Patricia Wells
  Sunday, June 13th, 2004
  3:00 until 4:30
  The Spice House, 1031 North Old World Third Street, Milwaukee Wisconsin
  

  We are thrilled to have Patricia grace our shop on her whirlwind tour. Her latest book is The Provence Cookbook. What follows is a review by Publisher's Weekly.

  "February, 2004 – Wells is one of the most famous American culinary expats living in France, and she's carved out quite a niche for herself as the voice of France for American home cooks. Provence, a sunny region in the hills above the Riviera, is not a new subject for Wells; although her last book focused on Paris, she authored Patricia Wells at Home in Provence in 1996.

  For this lively volume, she seems to have combed the villages surrounding her and her husband's "rewarding little farmhouse" in northern Provence to come up with recipes and culinary tips from farmers, winemakers, tradesmen, shopkeepers and restaurateurs.

  It's a robust collection (with over 200 recipes), encompassing all manner of food, wine and preparation techniques, and a highly personal one too. For example, in the Salads section, the recipe for Mireille's Tomato, Green Pepper, Olive, and Anchovy Salad prompts Wells to expound on her favorite olive oil; while the recipe for the Maussane Potter's Spaghetti, which comes from some of the author's potter friends in the village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, leads Wells to write about her favorite pottery shops in Provence. This could be bothersome if Wells were not so instructive, but her personal digressions serve as important lessons to cooks and to those planning a trip to the area.

  To that end, Wells includes plenty of travel information, giving the various locations and hours of Provence's many markets and contact information for restaurants and shops. Altogether, this is a lovely cookbook, a celebration of simple, delectable cuisine."

  Whenever we are lucky enough to have author's come in for a booksigning, we enjoy turning it into a social occaison for The Spice House. Our trained culinary students on our staff will be pouring over the book and ultimately making some delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared from the book. We will also be serving wine, I suspect in this case, the wine should be French!

  It is our opinion that for any one of your family or friends that like to cook, you can give no gift more thoughtful than a personalized beautiful cookbook.

• Wells Street Art Festival
  Saturday and Sunday, June 12th and 13th
  10 am to Dusk
  Wells street, between North and Division
  

  One of our favorite weekends of the whole year allows our Chicago shop, simply by virtue of its great location, to be a part of the Wells Street Art Festival. We love the vitality of the weekend, the music, the colorful art, the tasty food vendors out on the street and ALL the people. This is a GREAT place for people watching and soaking up local atmosphere.

  Recognized for years as not only Chicago’s largest, but also its most prestigious art fair, the Wells Street Art Festival proudly returns to Old Town for its 30th year. This juried fine arts festival consistently attracts more than 70,000 art patrons over two days. Spanning a six- block segment of Wells Street, the festival is set in Chicago’s famous Old Town District. Home to some of the city’s best restaurants and boutiques, this classic neighborhood is up scale, relaxed, vibrant and diverse.

  In addition to showcasing the works of at least 260 outstanding artists from California to Florida, the Wells Street Art Festival presents national renowned live entertainment, a variety of children’s activities and a unique selection of food and beverage vendors.

  The Illinois Federation of Festivals has also, over the last four years, honored the festival as “Chicago’s Best Community Festival.” Don’t miss this opportunity to take part in an established, high quality event in the heart of the Windy City

• Feast of the Senses - Slow Food, Chicago
  Saturday, June 5th, 2004
  6:00 pm
  Starts at Calphalon Center, 1000 W. Washington Blvd.
  

  This is one of our favorite events of the year to participate in. It really does spark all of your senses, and we are invited, naturally to stimulate your olfactory sense (we smell!) This event meanders through 16 various art galleries. Each one features a guest chef with samplings, a beverage station of some sort (16 different wineries, breweries, coffee and water companies are participating) and various tastings. The chefs participating this year are from one sixtyblue, Adobo Grill, Blackbird, Caliterra, Carlucci, Coco Pazzo, D. Kelly, Green Dolphin Street, Joe Marchetti's Ristorante, Lula Cafe, m.k., Mas, Pili Pili, Roy's, Rushmore, Sangria, Spiaggia, Thyme, Trattoria no. 10, Vie, Wave, Ristorante We and Wishbone. Yum. The cost is $50 and tickets may be purchased ahead of time from www.chicagocooks.com. We hope to see you there.

• Behind the Lions Day at the Art Institute of America, Exploring the World
  Saturday, June 5th, 2004
  10:30 to 3:30
  The Art Institute of America, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
  

  This is a first time event for us, so we are really not sure what to expect or tell you! We will be in the Kraft Education Center at the Art Institute Museum. We have been asked to have sort of an interactive booth for children of all ages which would allow them to smell and taste spices from all over the world. We had hoped to have the kids be able to mix up some vanilla-cinnamon sugar to take home with them but at this point there seems to be some limit as to what you can and can not do around valuable art. It has been our experience that anytime the city of Chicago puts together a special event, it is always a wonderful experience that the whole family can enjoy.

• Preparing a Delicious Meal for your Valentine Made Simple
  Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb 11
  2 PM on Saturday, 1:30 Pm on Sunday
  Madame Kuony's Kitchen, The Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI
  

  This free demonstration well present wonderful recipes to make a complete meal for Valentine's Day. Featured will be roasted winter squash and carrot soup, baked fish with Cook Islands chutney, coconut-cardamom rice, dressed pea pods, and macaroons dipped in dark chocolate flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and chilies. There is no registration required, and recipes will be available to take home, as well as a helpful preparation timeline and a market shopping list. Tell your friends!

• Retail Therapy Night at our Central Street, Evanston
  Thursday, October 8, 2009
  6-9 pm
  Central Street in Evanston betweet Green Bay and Hartrey
  

  Come to Central Street Thursday, October 4 for a relaxing evening of shopping with discounts, prizes, and refreshments. The Spice House and its neighbors will be staying open until 9:00. Visit our shop at 1941 Central Street for homemade spicy treats.

  This will also be the start of the Evanston Art Walk, part of Evanston's Arts + Humanities Month. The Spice House and other Evanston stores will be displaying works by local artists.

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