Classes start promptly at 9am. There is always a member of NAPCA at the academy by 8:30am, so feel free to arrive early and we’ll make you an espresso before class starts!

We will provide a notebook, course guide, t-shirt and hat.

Long white bakers pants or any long pants and non-slip rubber bottom shoes, such as Vans or sneakers. Chef clogs are not recommended.

We recommend tying hair back, wearing closed toed shoes with a non slip rubber bottom such as sneakers. Dress comfortably! We will be moving around and cooking a lot.

You won’t be cooking in a demonstration class, so you can wear whatever you’d like!

Our recreational classes are intended for both beginners who are looking for direction as well as experienced home cooks. We are a gathering place for foodies and newbie foodies to come together. Classes are recreational in the sense that we want to teach you to cook in a fun and educational way, free of pretence or feeling nervous about starting something new. We have created a fun place to share our love of cooking, eating, and entertaining and want to encourage others to do the same.

Depending on the course, there are typically 16-20 seats for recreational pizza and baking classes. However, sometimes they may have 10-12 if it is all independent work.

We require that you cancel at least 48 hours before a scheduled class and will provide a credit to your account to be used towards a future class. Refunds are not provided. If you do not cancel prior to 48 hours, you will lose the payment for the class.

Reservations are fully transferable. Treat this as you would a concert ticket - if you are unable to attend a class, someone else may attend in your place without notice. Changes and cancellations may be made in person, by emailing us at info@pizzaculinaryacademy.com or by calling us during business hours at 630-395-9958. Please leave a message including your name, phone number, the event you can no longer attend and the date of your call. 

We do our best to communicate to you during inclement weather. In the event we cancel a class for inclement weather - a full refund will be given.

If you purchased your class on CourseHorse, then our Refund & Cancellation policy applies to your purchase. If you are entitled to a refund, or have any questions, please visit the CourseHorse site and contact their customer service team.

We reserve the right to substitute ingredients, menus, recipes, chefs and instructors. Unless noted otherwise, all of our classes are hands-on and participatory in style. Our class size is limited and classes are structured to allow each student the opportunity to work closely with the chef in the preparation of dishes and to observe, up-close, the ingredients, tools and techniques used in the making of all dishes. The exception to the hands-on format are classes labeled as “Demonstration” or “Demo” or “Special Guest”.

Should you need to cancel a reservation for a 1, 3 or 5 day class/certification, you will receive a full refund for any cancellation made seven (7) days or more days before the class date.

Cancellations made six (6) days or fewer before the class date will incur a 30% “cost of goods” fee (based on the total fee paid) with the remainder put on a class voucher that can be applied toward a future class. However, no refunds, exchanges or vouchers will be given to changes or cancellations made on the day of the class or for no shows — without exception.

Changes and cancellations must be made in person or by calling us during business hours at 630-395-9958 and speaking directly to a member of our staff. Due to timing issues we cannot accept or honor cancellations sent by email or left via phone message or on voicemail. In the event we cancel a class a full refund will be given.

We have special corporate rates for a number of area hotels. If you are in need of a hotel please inquire by emailing our Culinary Director at info@pizzaculinaryacademy.com.