The Joyful Gourmet

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The Joyful Gourmet 👩🏻‍🍳 TheJoyfulGourmet.com
Located in Downtown Libertyville, 🛍️ we’re your happy place for gourmet classes & kitchen delights.
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Stop in and shop our professional-grade kitchenware 🍳and appliances or take a gourmet class with our chefs!🍣🍷

🎃 A little heads up before the Halloween fun begins! The Joyful Gourmet will close at 5 PM on October 31. 👻Hosting a Hal...
10/26/2026

🎃 A little heads up before the Halloween fun begins! The Joyful Gourmet will close at 5 PM on October 31. 👻

Hosting a Halloween gathering? Stop in before 5 for last-minute entertaining essentials, festive finds, and treats for your favorite host…. Because Halloween Merchandise is on clearance!

Wishing you a fun and happy Halloween from all of us at The Joyful Gourmet!

A pot of soup on the stove, warm bread on the table, and everyone coming back for seconds. This is what we love about fa...
10/23/2026

A pot of soup on the stove, warm bread on the table, and everyone coming back for seconds. This is what we love about fall cooking.

This week’s From Our Kitchen recipe is Sausage, White Bean & Kale Soup. Tear off a piece of sourdough, pull up a chair, and dinner is served!

Sharing recipes is one of our favorite ways to bring a little of The Joyful Gourmet home with you. Save this one for your next soup night!

SAUSAGE, WHITE BEAN & KALE SOUP
Serves 6

INGREDIENTS
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
• ¼ cup half-and-half, optional
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan and sourdough, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes, until softened. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and thyme; cook 1 minute.
3. Add broth, beans, and bay leaf. For a slightly thicker soup, mash ½ cup of the beans before adding. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Stir in kale and simmer 5–8 minutes, until tender. Stir in half-and-half, if using, and warm gently. Season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf.
5. Serve with grated Parmesan and warm sourdough for dipping.

Who would you share a pot with? Tag them in the comments!

Who’s ready for a little frosting, sprinkles, and fall fun?We have a sweet weekend planned at The Joyful Gourmet! Give y...
10/20/2026

Who’s ready for a little frosting, sprinkles, and fall fun?

We have a sweet weekend planned at The Joyful Gourmet! Give your young baker an afternoon in the kitchen, grab a friend for cookie decorating, or make it a family outing.

Saturday, October 24 | 1:30–3:30 PM
Kids: Baked Doughnuts | Ages 8+
Blueberry and chocolate doughnuts, finished with glazes, drizzles, and plenty of creative toppings.
$50 per person

Sunday, October 25 | 10 AM–noon
Cookie Decorating: It’s Fall Y’all
Join Gigi to learn piping, flooding, and finishing details as you decorate six sugar cookies.
$70 per person

Sunday, October 25 | 1–3 PM
Cookie Decorating with Gigi—Families Invited!
Spend an afternoon getting creative together, with six cookies to decorate and take home.
$60 per person

No experience needed, and we’ll handle the cleanup! For both cookie classes, children 12 and under must attend with an adult; each attendee needs a ticket.

Spots are still available! Reserve yours at THEJOYFULGOURMET.com.

What does fall look like at your house? A pot of soup on the stove, friends coming over, or something sweet in the oven?...
10/19/2026

What does fall look like at your house? A pot of soup on the stove, friends coming over, or something sweet in the oven?

We’re making room for all of it at The Joyful Gourmet. Pumpkin-shaped pots, leaf dishes, autumn table linens, and little plates that look like slices of pumpkin pie. There’s plenty to inspire your next gathering, even if it’s just a cozy dinner for two.

And while you’re here, leave a little time to visit with one of us at the bar, because browsing is even better with a glass of w**e and good conversation.

Stop in, see what catches your eye, and tell us what you’re cooking. There are so many ways to celebrate fall at The Joyful Gourmet, and we’d love to share the season with you. 🍁💙🍎

Find us in downtown

Bubbles, baking, and a little chocolate therapy. Who’s in?Your Thursday night plans just got sweeter! Join Chef Angela f...
10/16/2026

Bubbles, baking, and a little chocolate therapy. Who’s in?

Your Thursday night plans just got sweeter! Join Chef Angela for Bubbles & Baking, a hands-on pastry class featuring two seriously delicious desserts:

• Chocolate Profiteroles with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
• Chocolate, Sea Salt & Butterscotch Tart

Sip a little Prosecco, pick up some pastry tricks, and enjoy a sweet escape from the usual weeknight routine.

Thursday, October 22 | 7–9 PM
$65 per person, including a glass of Prosecco.

Grab a friend and make a night of it! We’d love to see you in the kitchen.

Reserve your spot:
https://www.thejoyfulgourmet.com/event/bubbles-baking-a-weeknight-pastry-escape/

What’s the one kitchen item you use every single day but rarely think about upgrading?For us, a great cutting board is h...
10/15/2026

What’s the one kitchen item you use every single day but rarely think about upgrading?

For us, a great cutting board is high on that list!

Our JK Adams collection brings together beautiful Vermont craftsmanship and practical features for every kind of kitchen task:

• Durable butcher blocks for everyday prep
• Smooth, spacious surfaces for chopping and slicing
• Beautiful serving boards for entertaining
• Sturdy carving boards for holiday roasts
• Thoughtful designs made to last for years

From hardworking kitchen essentials to gorgeous boards you’ll want to leave on display, there’s a JK Adams cutting board for just about everything.

Which feature matters most to you?

Deal us in!We’re having a little too much fun with our game night finds. Playing card coasters, cheeky serving dishes, m...
10/14/2026

Deal us in!

We’re having a little too much fun with our game night finds. Playing card coasters, cheeky serving dishes, mahjong accessories, puzzles, and everything you need to make the table part of the entertainment.

Come take a peek. The Joyful Gourmet is ready to play!

Pears are having their moment this fall, and we’re here for it!Our Brown Butter Maple Pear Cake is everything we love ab...
10/12/2026

Pears are having their moment this fall, and we’re here for it!

Our Brown Butter Maple Pear Cake is everything we love about fall baking. Sweet, tender pears, rich maple syrup, and that irresistible nutty flavor of brown butter.

It’s the kind of cake that’s just as good served warm with whipped cream as it is the next morning with coffee. We won’t judge if you call it breakfast!

Save this recipe for a cozy fall baking day, and let us know if you give it a try!

A few seats, two fabulous fall menus, and one Saturday you won’t want to miss!October 17 at The Joyful Gourmet:Chef Gina...
10/09/2026

A few seats, two fabulous fall menus, and one Saturday you won’t want to miss!

October 17 at The Joyful Gourmet:

Chef Gina | 1:30–3:30 PM
Appetizers for Easy Entertaining
Apple spritz, pear & Brie tarts, roast beef crostini, and warm c***r doughnuts with salted caramel.

Chef Lee Kuebler | 6–9 PM
Late Autumn Dinner
Winter squash & sage risotto, roasted chicken with celery root and apple-fennel slaw, and poached pear in puff pastry.

Whether you’re brushing up on your entertaining skills or treating yourself to an evening of delicious food and chef-led inspiration, we’ve saved you a seat.

But not many! Register now at THEJOYFULGOURMET.com.

There’s something about gathering around the table in the fall!Our sold out apple class brought everyone together for a ...
10/08/2026

There’s something about gathering around the table in the fall!

Our sold out apple class brought everyone together for a little seasonal cooking, learning, and plenty of delicious bites along the way.

From crisp apples to cozy fall flavors, we’re embracing everything this season has to offer in the Joyful Gourmet kitchen.

Missed this one? We have more seasonal classes coming up, and we’d love to save you a seat at the table!

Explore upcoming classes at THEJOYFULGOURMET.com

Address

542 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville, IL
60048

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+12244336350

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