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.
Print Our January
Class Calendar Here
Print Our February
Class Calendar Here
Gift Certificates
Give the gift of cooking! We offer gift certificates in any denomination for classes and merchandise and gift registry for any occasion.
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Lincoln Square
Merchandise Mart
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A Different Date
On the day of chocolate and roses, do something different for your sweetheart. Take a cooking class, so you can recreate your romantic meal at home. It's a fun, unique experience and your date will cherish memories rather than just take-home containers from a restaurant. Choose from couples-friendly classes at both locations:
Big Screen Cooking
On the heels of the Golden Globes and just in time for Oscar nominations next week, The Chopping Block is once again paying tribute to our favorite movies on the big screen. Don't miss these fun, new cooking classes in February:
Cupcake Strong
No country singing skills needed to master cupcake recipes like S'mores Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Meringue in this hands-on class.
Pineapple Express: A Hawaiian Feast
James Franco would give two thumbs up to this warm-weather inspired menu, which includes Macadamia Nut-Crusted Fish with Volcano-Spiced Pineapple Relish.
The Help: Southern Specialties
Don't worry about what's in our Caramel Cake. This class is all about down-home recipes featuring Southern goodness.
Braizing Arizona
People with and without kids will enjoy the slow, low cooking technique applied in dishes like Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetable Smash.
Sauce Code
Sauce cookery is an action thriller! Learn classics like Easier-than-Ever Bearnaise Sauce in this class that won't bend your mind like the movie
Color Conversion
Big Changes in Store for Le Creuset Cookware
This year is a time for change, and that includes your kitchen. Le Creuset is changing up their cookware line with some dramatic shifts. Colors Cobalt and Black Onyx have been retired, as well as Kiwi. The Le Creuset Risotto Pots (the pot with shallow sides and a wide base) in all colors and sizes will also soon be a product of the past.
But don't fret! Those of you who are committed to your colors will have a chance to stock up your kitchens. The Chopping Block will have these hard-to-find, discontinued colors and items available to you, as well as the rest of our cookware, in January on SALE. Greater in-store discounts will also be available for these discontinued items.
You'll also save 20% on our other great cookware lines, like Lodge Cast Iron and All Clad.
Don't miss our Annual Cookware Sale in January!
Wine Classes & Goddess are Back
Wine classes are back at The Chopping Block with a vengeance! We're happy to report that our resident Wine Goddess, Diana Hamann, is back from her western adventure and is once again at the helm of our wine program.
Classes will resume in January. Please visit our class calendar to view upcoming classes.
We're also excited to kick off the "2.0" version of our wine program with a brand new series of wine classes called "The Professional Series." This focused, comprehensive wine educational series is intended for the service professional, or the oenophile seeking to watch their wine knowledge build upon itself week to week. The series will be taught by Diana, with guest instruction from some of Chicagoland's top sommeliers and experts.
Level 1 will begin in mid-March, with Sunday afternoon classes meeting at our Merchandise Mart location. Each level will culminate with an exam gleaned from materials presented in class, and each student will receive a certificate based on merit (which can be either be referenced on a resume, or simply hung on the fridge)! Look for dates in our upcoming March calendar, or contact diana@thechoppingblock.net with questions.
Get Serious about Cooking
Delve deep into a variety of subjects with The Chopping Block's Boot Camps. From sauces to sushi, these intensive hands-on classes will give you the tools needed to master necessary cooking techniques. If one of your new year resolutions is to cook at home more, these camps will provide your recipe for success!
Sauce Boot Camp
Sunday, Jan. 22 10am-4pm
Lincoln Square
Culinary Boot Camp
Monday, Jan. 23 thru Friday, Jan. 27 9am-5pm
Merchandise Mart
Vegetarian Boot Camp
Monday, Jan. 30 thru Tuesday, Jan. 31 10am-3pm
Lincoln Square
Advanced Culinary Boot Camp
Monday, Feb. 6 thru Friday, Feb. 10 9am-5pm
Merchandise Mart
Sushi Boot Camp
Friday, Feb. 17 10am-3pm
Lincoln Square
Baking Boot Camp
Thursday, Feb. 23 thru Saturday, Feb. 25 10am-4pm
Merchandise Mart
Our boot camps are available for registration throughout 2012. Peruse the entire year's class calendars to see what fits your schedule.
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!
