Thanksgiving Cooking Classes

Wait, this can make a pie?

I'm a master of the side dish, but a dunce when it comes to cooking turkey. (I'm also very lucky - I've hosted Thanksgiving twice over the past few years, and both times I avoided cooking the bird.) If you also feel like your chef skills could use a little buff-and-shine before Thanksgiving Day, it's not too late. Here's a little run-down of upcoming Thanksgiving cooking classes in the area:

• Cranberry Chutney Canning
  Have your chutney and can it too. In this November 21 class, students will learn how to make and preserve cranberry chutney, which makes both a great Thanksgiving condiment and a nice holiday gift.
• A Down Home Thanksgiving
  On November 19 and 20, Reading Terminal Market is offering a dinner session that centers around that famous multi-bird, the Turducken. Learn how to cook the meal -- complete with sides like broccoli rabe with pork belly and baked sweet corn casserole -- and get to eat it too.
• Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  This November 19 class at Cherry Hill's La Campagne won't help turkey woes, but it should help you make some sides that could potentially outshine the bird.
• Thanksgiving Wrap-Up for Kids
  Yes, it's after Thanksgiving, but Kitchen Kapers' post-turkey-day class teaches kids how to cook with Thanksgiving leftovers and could buy you some child-free holiday-shopping time.
• Finally, if you want to eschew cooking all together this year, check out my list of the Best Philadelphia Thanksgiving Restaurants.

Image: © Meg Favreau