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.
360° Location Tours:
Lincoln Square
Merchandise Mart
Get to Know Your Chefs
Our chefs are what set us apart from the rest! With years of experience at top restaurants, they will teach you about food. Click here to view profiles of all of our chefs.
Get The Chopping Block in your inbox for recipes, videos, news on cooking classes, and private events, plus exclusive specials on our gourmet retail and food-friendly wines.
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:
Smokin' Hot Grilling Sale
All essential grilling accessories are 20% off in June including everything you need to master your grill, from assorted new brushes and tools to wood chips and smoker boxes.
Summer Can Stay
Now that summer is almost here (it arrives officially on June 21), we want it to stick around for as long as possible.
So, we've brought back our Summer Canning & Preserving class in July. We'll teach you how to "put up" fruits and vegetables so you can enjoy them for months to come. Some of us can't wait until next month, though. Our Director of Finance Susanne is already pickling at home. Read all about it in her latest blog and get inspired with our Canning & Preserving board on Pinterest, which includes our videos on How to Quick Pickle and How to Make Jam.
Our popular Farm to Table has a new summer menu, as do lots of our classes. Experience dishes like Watermelon and Arugula Salad with Toasted Almonds, Pickled Watermelon Rind and Feta Cheese.
Take a tour of the Lincoln Square Farmer's Market with our chef and learn to make a season inspired meal in Farmers' Market Tour and Cooking Class.
Check out all of our just-released July cooking classes and take a peek at June too, while you're at it.
Feast your Senses
Our new Chef Spotlight classes highlight our chefs' talents, passions and personal favorite recipes.
This month, we're featuring A Feast for the Senses with Chef Trevor Moore. His culinary perspective is always influenced by the seasons, and this special summer feast including Zucchini Soufflé will bring all of your senses to attention.
Choose from hands-on classes on July 11 or July 24 at 6pm at the Merchandise Mart.
He Said Food, She Said Beer
It's not often we have a dynamic duo in our kitchens.
Chef Mario Scordato is teaming up with his wife Stephanie, a certified Cicerone (think Sommelier for beer), for a special food and beer class. Enjoy Mario's multi-course meal including Brined Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Glaze and Peach-Fennel Slaw with Bacony White Beans with Stephanie's perfect beer pairings.
Brewed by Monks, Adored by Beer Fans
Trappist beers are often regarded as the best-tasting beers of the world. They are brewed by monks in only seven places within Belgium and the Netherlands. Hopleaf's Beer Expert, Michael Roper, will take you on an educational, historic and delicious tour of Trappist beers in next month's beer tasting class.
A Trappist Monk Tests Beer
Photo Credit:The Guardian
Trappist Beer Tasting
Monday, June 24 7pm at the Mart
If a cocktail is more your style, let our chefs show off their shaker skills in Summer Cocktails & Appetizers. You'll taste perfect pairings like Watermelon Mint Mojito with Chimichurri Flank Steak Crostini.
We pay tribute to the classic morning beverage with a menu full of dishes that will wake up your taste buds like Arugula and Strawberry Salad with Brioche Croutons and Lemon Vinaigrette in Bloody Mary Brunch.
Think Pink this Summer
Our staff has a new favorite summer sipper. And if you know our staff, you know they love their pink wine!
Southern France reminds us why they set the standard for Rosé with Bieler Pere et Fils Rosé. Cherries, strawberries and a little spice lead to a crisp, refreshingly flavor. This new Syrah-driven hit goes great with a wide variety of grilled dishes for the season. And at just $11.99 a bottle, it's a steal!
Taste The Radler
The Radler, Chicago's contemporary Bavarian beer hall and restaurant, is coming to Logan Square. Using locally sourced meat and produce, The Radler will bring the cooking traditions of Germany, Austria, and The Czech Republic to the 21st century.
We are opening our kitchen to Chef Nathan Sears to make his sausages (Weiffwurst & Thuringer) later this month. Stop by for a taste!
Tuesday, June 25
11am-1pm
Merchandise Mart
Raw Food Made Easy
Would you like to learn more about a raw food diet? It's way more interesting than just celery sticks and carrots!
To celebrate the release of an updated version of her best-selling book Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People, chef and cooking instructor Jennifer Cornbleet comes to The Chopping Block to share the secrets to flavorful, healthful meals made without cooking and without processed ingredients.
You'll get time-saving tips, essential techniques, and tastings made with all natural fruits and vegetables. Jennifer's book will be available for purchase.
Thursday, August 8, 6pm
Merchandise Mart
School's Out for Summer
If you are looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this summer, our kitchens are the perfect playgrounds for food.
Summer Camps for Kids & Teens start next week in Lincoln Square.
Have a reason to celebrate? Consider a private party for your child's birthday, graduation or just for fun.
It's Summer: Throw a Party
There's no better time to throw a party than summer. And while Mother Nature hasn't exactly been a good hostess of warm weather here in the Midwest, we are continue to celebrate the season in our private cooking events.
Our Summer Menus feature the best of the bounty available now. You and your guests will work together to cook one of these lovely meals and enjoy it as a group. It's the perfect activity for corporate groups, families, or people who don't even know each other!
If grilling is your thing, consider an Outdoor Party on our Lincoln Square patio this summer. Our Event Team works to ensure your party planning is easy!
Your Handy Boot Camp Reference Guide
Summer camp isn't just for the kids. From vegetables to sweets to a five-day intensive immersion course, there's camps for every adult cook, no matter your skill level.
Upcoming Boot Camps:
Working with Fish in Boot Camp
Grilling Boot Camp
Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at Lincoln Square
Culinary Boot Camp 1
Monday, July 22 thru Friday, July 26 at the Mart
Grilling Boot Camp
Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at Lincoln Square
Vegetarian Boot Camp
Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16 at the Mart
Pasta Boot Camp
Sunday, August 25 at the Mart
Grilling Boot Camp
Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 at Lincoln Square
Our Donut & Cupcake Boot Camps are offered at multiple times at both of our locations, so peruse our calendars for the class that best fits your schedule.
