All events are in Chicago unless noted:

Latin Cuisine - Macy’s is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin and Spanish cuisine with area chefs.  It is free on Friday and Oct. 1 at 111 N State St.  Please call 312-781-4884 for more information.

Autumn Cooking - Jeff Muldrow is teaching an autumn cooking class. $65.  Friday at 6:30 pm at Va Pensiero, 1566 Oak Ave, Evanston.  Please call 847-475-7779 for reservations and more information.

Kids Can Cook - Kids from 7 - 11 years old can learn to make dinner in a hands-on cooking class.  $40.  6-9 pm on Friday at Sunset Foods, 835 S Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest.  Please call 312-752-2206 to register.

Sweet Treats - Learn to cook pies and tarts with Joy Shields.  $40.  7 pm Tuesday night at Beverly’s Pantry, 1907 W 103rd St.  Please call 773-238-8550 to register.

European Adventures - Dominick Kwentus is teaching a 4 week course that cover Italian, Spanish, French, and German cuisine.  $192 for nonresidents and $160 for residents.  This will be held Oct. 1 - 22 at 6:30 pm at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Ave., River Forest Park District.  Please call 708-366-6660 for more information.

Mastering risotto - Daniel Tucker shows you how to make the perfect risotto.  $10.  Oct. 2 at 6 pm at Room 21, 2110 S. Wabash Ave.  Please call 312-328-1198 to register.

Teaching organics - The Organic School Project is hosting a benefit and silect auction supporting its outreach services.  $50.  Oct. 2 at 6 pm at The Golden Triangle, 330 N Clark St.  Please call 312-924-0195 for tickets and more information.

Pizza - Learn to make artisan pizza dough with Jonathon Fox.  $30.  Oct 4th at 11 am at 59 W. Grand Ave.  Please call 312-329-0400 to register.

Halloween Fun - Susan Maddox is teachinga hands on Halloween and Spooky Treats Class for ages 8 and older.  $45.  Oct. 5 from 10 am - 1 am at Le Titi de Paris, 1015 W Dundee Rd., Arlington Heights.  Please call 847-506-0222 to register.

Jason’s Deli is available nationwide. However, this review is being done on the Jason’s Deli in Oak Lawn, IL. (This review is also being posted over at My Road Less Traveled By.)

I went with my two kids on a Thursday night about 6 pm by myself. (Needless to say, my hands were full). I found that staff there the most helpful. When you walk into the door, there is someone there to greet you and let you know how this all works (since this was my first visit, I was pretty clueless). She got me a highchair for Will (my one year old), so I didn’t have to hold him while we were standing there trying to figure out what we wanted. The high chair had wheels, so I was able to roll him around quite easily and get him where we needed to go. I was able to take a menu, sit down with the kids, decide what we wanted, and get back into line, so we could order (which is what I did). Ordering was painless. After you order, they give you a number and your drinks, so you can go sit down. They then bring your food to you when it is done. The restaurant is a very open concept. You can see where they make the food. Another thing that impressed me was that the apples and apple juice that I ordered with the kids meals were organic. Also, everything that they serve is free of artificial trans fats and MSG! I personally found the prices quite reasonable. Granted, it would have been cheaper to take the kids to McDonalds, but we would have been hungry an hour later (and this was not all that more expensive either! Maybe a couple of dollars is it!) They have an excellent kids menu too! If you can’t find something for your little one off their kids menu, they are too picky. They even have a dessert menu! Madison (my 4 year old) wanted an ice cream cone, but since she didn’t finish her food, she didn’t get one, so I can’t comment on how good their ice cream is. Our food came quickly and it was good. The sandwiches were much bigger than I expected! There was always somebody walking around cleaning off tables or checking on how you were doing, so you could definitely get help when needed (for example, 2 napkins just doesn’t cut it when you have 3 people and 2 of the 3 are under 5!). I easily was able to get more napkins for us.

The food was great (and healthy!). The service was great! Jason’s Deli also has a blog which makes them stand out even more for me! If you are looking for a great alternative for fast food, you definitely need to check out Jason’s Deli. It is a five star place in my book!