If you're one of those people who can't walk into a store full of kitchen gadgets without buying a bunch of stuff you don't need, you probably shouldn't read any further. Wooden Spoon is a haven for reasonably priced cooking supplies. It doesn't matter if you need a new paring knife, an orange peeler, a fancy tea infuser or, of course, a wooden spoon, you'll find these and more at this Andersonville boutique.

Unlike many kitchen stores, Wooden Spoon keeps the prices affordable for those of us without a deep pocketbook. You can buy a non-stick Dutch oven for about $30, a ceramic teapot for around $15 or a flexible, plastic cutting mat for $20. The store also stocks a small supply of cookbooks, which either focus on cooking basics or were written by a Chicago-based author.

The store is just half the fun here, though. It also schedules cooking classes, demos and wine tastings. The classes typically center on a theme, such as the “Friday Night Cocktail Party,” where attendees learn to make stuffed shrimp, petite spanakopita and miniature pizzas. Couples cooking classes, a sushi seminar and a knife skills class round out the offerings. Most classes cost $65, which includes indulging in the treats that you and your classmates concocted.

Depending on the class, if you cancel between two and seven days before it begins, you'll receive store credit for the amount or can apply the fee to an upcoming class. It's unlikely, though, that this lenient cancellation policy will come in handy. Once you realize how fun the classes can be, you'll erase any conflicting appointments from your day planner.

Centerstage Reviewer: Sarah Dahnke