The Chopping Block, Chicago's largest recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes at our two locations cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes.
Gift Certificates
Give the gift of cooking! We offer gift certificates in any denomination for classes and merchandise and gift registry for any occasion.
Fifteen years ago, Chef Shelley Young opened The Chopping Block to get people to cook. The business idea came during a self-reflective, cross-country road trip. Now, to celebrate her anniversary, Young is embarking on another cross-country trip… this time, on foot along the Appalachian Trail to raise money for breast cancer research. Read more...
360° Location Tours:
Lincoln Square
Merchandise Mart
Click here to receive our Newsletter and get the latest recipes, Class and Event news and great retail specials.
Join The Chopping Block's mobile club to receive exclusive offers, promotions and information on special events.
Text CHOP to 30364 or
click here to become a member today.
The Chopping Block Cooks only with:
Party on our Patio
Join us as we kick off the official start to grilling season on our Lincoln Square patio next month. The tent will be up, our grills will be going and beverages will be flowing all day:
Grilling Season Kick Off Party
The Chopping Block - Lincoln Square
Saturday, May 19th
11AM-3PM
For this day only, save 20% off grilling accessories. Also, buy a Big Green Egg on this day and receive a FREE class to teach you how to use our favorite outdoor smoker and grill.
For just $5, you can attend a 30-minute grilling demonstration from 11am -11:30am showcasing our Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet grills as well as the Big Green Egg.
Get fired up because this is going to be one HOT party!
Please note: This sale does not include Big Green Eggs or their accessories.
Boot Camp's New International Flair
Embark on a new global journey with The Chopping Block! Our International Boot Camp allows you to travel to a world of exotic ingredients and bold flavors... all in our kitchens. You will gain a solid understanding of different cooking techniques that define each cuisine, plus you'll sample wines and spirits that pair with each country's dishes.
International Boot Camp consists of three 2-day courses, covering a different cuisine each day. Sign up for one, two or all three courses. You may take them consecutively or in any order you prefer. We will repeat these courses over the next year, so you may sign up for any courses you have missed.
SPECIAL OFFER: Complete two courses and get $200 off the third one!
Asia: North to South
Sat., June 23 - Sun., June 24
9am - 5pm Merchandise Mart
The Spanish Connection
Sat., July 28 - Sun., July 29
9am - 5pm Merchandise Mart
The Spice Route
Sat., August 25 - Sun., August 26
9am - 5pm Merchandise Mart
Check out our Curriculum Coordinator Sara Salzinski's blog on the new class.
Want to start with the basics? Our week-long Culinary Boot Camp is a professional culinary school education boiled down for the home cook. It will change the way you cook!
Culinary Boot Camp
Monday, June 18 - Friday, June 22
9am-5pm at the Mart
View all of our boot camps, as well as the rest of our May and June class calendars. Plus, don't miss the start of our Kids and Teen Summer Camps in June.
A Healthy Revolution
It's time for a Revolution in the kitchen! With the growing rise in obesity, we are always looking at ways to slim down recipes without compromising flavor. So, we're teaming up with Revolution Training Centers to "revolutionize" some of our classic recipes to healthier versions in this new two-for-one demonstration class. Our chef will cover the cooking techniques while Revolution's registered dietician gives healthy eating advice and discusses new and exciting ingredients.
Wed., June 20 6pm
Merchandise Mart
Power up with knowledge you'll gain in our new Summery Superfoods class.
Superfoods are whole, natural foods that contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which can benefit your health. We'll teach you how to make mouth-watering dishes that you can feel good about eating like Roasted Salmon with Grilled Vegetable Quinoa Salad and Balsamic Glaze.
This class is offered multiple days/times at both of our locations. Please peruse our calendar for the best fit for your schedule.
Summer Entertaining Savings
It's almost deck party season, so stock up your patio and save 20% on all Summer Entertaining items in May. Here are just a few of our faves:
The Takeya Fruit Pitcher is a must-have for outdoor entertaining this season because it allows you to be creative with your beverages. Create fruit-infused water like strawberry/kiwi, cucumber/mint, lime/raspberry and tangerine/lemon. Experiment with your favorite flavors!
You no longer have to worry about valuable wine glasses breaking during a party. The shatterproof GoVino Wine Glass is great for outdoors, especially for concerts and evenings when you're enjoying a nice glass of Rose. Prefer bubbly? There's a set for that, as well.
Keep pesky pests away without a chemical smell with our Natural Mosquito Repellent Candles.
Everyone loves a popcorn party, so try our new Outdoor Campfire Popcorn Popper that can be used over the campfire in the summer and on the stove top throughout the rest of the year. No word yet on whether Shelley will be taking this with her on the Appalachian Trail this summer!
Please note: Grilling items are not included in the Summer Entertaining sale.
Kitchen Basic Training
Don't worry, our chefs aren't this tough (especially after our beloved Sarge's departure last month). Our camps are informative but fun. You'll walk away with an arsenal of new cooking techniques, plus a couple of new friends. Here's a list of our upcoming boot camp classes. Click the links to enlist today!
Baking Boot Camp
Thursday 5/17, Friday 5/18 & Saturday 5/19
Merchandise Mart
Wine & smiles is how we end our Boot Camps!
Grilling Boot Camp
Thursday 5/24 & Friday 5/25
Lincoln Square
Sauce Boot Camp
Sunday 5/27
Merchandise Mart
Vegetarian Boot Camp
Thursday 5/31 & Friday 6/1
Lincoln Square
Cupcake Boot Camp
This class is offered multiple days/times at both of our locations. Please peruse our calendar for the best fit for your schedule.
Next Wine Academy Dates Set
Our first inaugural Wine Academy (formerly known as Wine Boot Camp) is underway with 20 oenophiles meeting each Sunday for six weeks to swirl, sip and taste their way to vinous enlightenment. It's our new program that takes wine education to a whole new level.
Missed out on this first Level One class? Join us for our next summer session which begins Monday, June 4 and meets each week from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Mart.
Sign up here.
Culinary Boot Camp
Can our Culinary Boot Camp turn you into a master cook in just one week? The Chicago Tribune recently followed a mother and daughter team through our week-long program as they whisked, butchered and tasted their way to culinary enlightenment. They were looking to pick up a few skills, but what they found was that once you learn a few basics, cooking is easy. Read the article here.
Get an inside look into our program and hear from recent graduates. Click here for more information on our curriculum, which boils down professional culinary education to home cook terms.
Get to Know Your Chefs
Our chefs are what set us apart from the rest! With their years of experience at top restaurants in Chicago and around the world, they work hard to bring you an insider's guide to restaurant kitchens. Now, we're getting up close and personal with the chefs at The Chopping Block. Find out what ingredients they can't live without, their favorite band and their top pick for dinner guest. Click here to view new pictures and profiles of all of our chefs!
