I recently attended the "Hands-On Essential Building Blocks" class at The Chopping Block! The 9 hours of cooking certainly paid off with some delicious meals! Although I did think the chef in charge was very knowledgeable, and the meals did turn out fabulous, I was a little disappointed with the class structure for a few reasons. 1. For the price of this class, I assumed that we would all be individually learning to cook each component - that was not the case as we were put together into teams of four where we divided responsibilities. So not all building block skills were able to be practiced by all team members. I had chosen this class because I wanted to learn these building block skill hands-on. However, if you're looking to meet new friends this may just be the spot for you! 2. Like I mentioned, the meal we made was super delicious. But in my opinion, it's creativeness / the fact that it wasn't more simple skipped over some of the true basic skills needed in everyday kitchen use. For example, I wish we had learned more about pan use / heating up / etc. And because we had so many components to the meals, some of the lessons felt kind of rushed where we weren't necessarily able to dive deeper into those questions since there were so many people per amount of chef / helpers I do think that this is a great org, but perhaps I would have felt more bang for buck in a more specified topic / shorter class read more

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I received a gift card for a cooking class for Christmas so decided to use it for a date night last week. We chose a Cajun themed meal and it was a really good time. They were super organized. We were split into four groups and each group worked together to create a 4 course meal. Our meal consisted of bbq shrimp, Cajun crab dip, jambalaya, and bread pudding. The chef leading the class was really entertaining and had a lot of great pro tips. There were some other chefs assisting in clean up along the way and taking drink orders. My wife and I really enjoyed our experience and can't wait to come back. read more

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I took the Vegetarian Bootcamp Cooking Class Great location - Great chefs guiding you through the recipes - Great recipes. 6 hours of cooking and fun! And met some great women while at it! read more

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Attended a hands-on fish butchery class that was three hours long on a Monday night. Check in was smooth and the class was very organized. The lead chef and the assistant chefs were great at checking in on each table, giving feedback and encouragement as needed. I also liked that we got a handout with all of the topics we cover and the recipes. I definitely feel ready to select a fish to butcher myself with the filet knife that has been sitting in my knife block for years. A downside is that if you want a glass of wine you'll need to buy a bottle, but you can easily take it home with you if you don't finish. They do have beer by the can or bottle though. read more

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We just took a knife skills class with Neil and LOVED IT!! I thought I knew a lot but I walked away with lots of new skills that will absolutely help me in the kitchen at home. Friendly staff, fun techniques, 5/5 will do another class! read more

We got a taste of "The Chopping Block Experience" when we visited them and made Chocolate-Peppermint Truffles there. Chef Lisa Counts (the new owner), is passionate about teaching people in Chicago how to cook and offers classes for all levels, as well as all the tools you will need to make your masterpiece in the store. She is also passionate about supporting the Foundation for Culinary Arts, a non-profit organization that empowers socially and economically disadvantaged students with educational programs and career opportunities in the culinary industry. F4CA holds 5 camps per year to help students prepare for their future. A fun night was had by all attendees, and we even got to take home the truffles that we made! Purchase a cooking class from The Chopping Block for someone who wants to learn. And/or purchase the tools they will use when making that special cuisine, and they invite you over. read more

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Took myself on a solo date here and I highly recommend the pasta making class. We made 3 types. Sage brown butter ravioli YUM, gnocchi in vodka sauce to die for and spinach fettuccine carbonara. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Left with the tools to make pasta at home. read more

The Chopping Block - Specialty Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just took a class (steak) at the Chopping Block Mar 19 2026. It exceeded my expectations! The chef and all of the instructional sous chefs knew exactly where we all needed help and where we could run with things on our own. I left the class with confidence in making excellent steaks, vegetables, dessert. Joy the camaraderie, that these classes create! I'll be back again soon! read more

DELIGHTFULLY GOURMET COOKING experience! The pictured results says it all. I learned a few tricks of the trade. Get ready to sharpened your chopping skills, because you will be chopping up vegetables, herbs, etc. I loved learning how to prepare the mussels - they were so yummy and tender. I enjoyed the company of my date, along with the other team made up of a grandmother and granddaughter dual - added engaging conversations. You can have alcoholic vibrations of your choice. We chose sodas. After the cooking lesson, you can purchase wine, Kitchen accessories, and many other items in their shop. When you get there and ready to cook, I recommend putting on the black thin rubber gloves provided. Didn't care very much to see other people use her bare hands on the raw ingredients. read more

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Incredibly disappointing and honestly upsetting. I purchased tickets to a class as a Christmas gift for my partner. We were both really excited, especially given how expensive these classes are. Unfortunately, the night before the class, my partner came down with the flu. First thing the next morning, I called to explain the situation. I was very clear that I was not asking for a refund. I simply asked whether a credit or even a small discount toward a future class might be possible. I also pointed out the obvious: it would be irresponsible and unsafe to attend a class where people are handling food while actively sick with the flu. I was told that we needed to give three days' notice. I explained that three days prior, he did not have the flu, and this was sudden and unavoidable. I was flatly told there were "no exceptions." I then asked, genuinely, whether they would prefer that we show up sick simply to avoid wasting a significant amount of money. The response was "no," but no alternative, compromise, or solution was offered. Basically they don't want sick people to attend, but they also refuse to offer any accommodation when someone responsibly chooses not to expose others. That tells me everything I need to know. For a business charging this much, the lack of empathy, flexibility, and basic concern for health standards is shocking. Spending this amount of money only to be treated so callously is unacceptable. I will absolutely never book anything here again and would strongly caution others who expect even a minimal level of understanding or customer care. read more

I attended a tasting table with Chef/Owner Lisa and it was such a delicious, enjoyable experience. Not only does Lisa have amazing skills in the kitchen, but she has the personality to match. The demonstration was fully engaging and the food was to die for. We got to take home the recipes for each of the dishes to recreate them at home. I would definitely recommend this to any foodie (or just anyone who enjoys tasty food)! read more

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From the time you enter the school you are welcomed by friendly staff. My friends and I participated in the Mediterranean class which was excellent! Great food, good instructions, and a perfect opportunity to meet other foodies! read more

The Chopping Block - A satisfied group of chefs! Job accomplished! - Specialty Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and I just wrapped up our second class at the chopping block and it was such a fun date night! The class was "hands on Christmas in the carribean" and the instructor was such high energy! Everything turned out fabulous -- I LOVED the jerk chicken. My only comment is that they do a lot of the cooking for you so it seems a bit more like a demo than a class. For me that's great because cooking intimidates me but others may want to do more of the work! We also got some cutting boards and a spatula for 10% off as part of the class. They also offer beer and wine for purchase by the bottle to go with the class. My husband loves to cook so I expect to come back some time for a special occasion since the classes are on the pricier side . read more

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Updating this review because this review keeps getting filtered out. My partner and I recently took "Cooking for Life: Eating to Nourish Your Body and Mind" at The Chopping Block and had a fantastic time. My partner was initially hesitant to enroll and I had to do some convincing to get him to attend. He balked at the cost but after taking the class he said "Thanks for suggesting this!That was worth every dollar!" . Our instructor, JP was a good teacher and also inspiring to boot. He has an amazing health story that drove the class. But it's not just about JP - the entire staff who assisted made for a great learning experience. The assistant chefs also have a lot of tips and techniques to share individually. What you don't see prior to enrollment is you pay for staff members paying attention to every detail, from cooking to running around to check on stoves, or helping you refine your knife skills. The net effort? You feel incredibly supported throughout. Someone else is always moving around so you can just focus on the process. There is a calming whirr in the background of supportive helpers cleaning and aiding you while you just "do". Why can't I have this magic in my daily life? Also, the facilities are amazing. Everything is premium and very very clean. We got to do all the prep involved in prepping chickpea curry, a farro salad with roasted root veggies, pan-fried salmon with veggies, a smoothie, and then ate the meal. As mentioned, the staff members clean up everything as we cook so by the end of the night you just eat the meal and you're ready to go. So, if you're debating whether to invest in a cooking class, let me assure you - it's worth it. The Chopping Block delivers not just recipes and skills but also inspiration, camaraderie, and confidence in the kitchen. It's like a Michelin star level of a cooking class. We will definitely return for more classes. read more

The Chopping Block is an incredible company with state of the art kitchen equipment for sale and life changing cooking class. I took Boot Camp 1 and loved every second of my experience. The kitchen is SO clean. The chef instructors are all so informative but also offer their own little tips and tricks of the trade. Owner Lisa obviously gives everything to this business. read more

Chopping Block is the retail cooking store and shop in Lincoln Square. They've done a major remodel in the last few months and recently re-opened. They've really upscaled their place, and made the culinary instruction the focal point here, by adding three or four large butcher block workstations. Conversely, they seem to have pared back the the retail offerings considerably. They've added a large wine area at the front of the place near the windows as well. They recently closed their Merchandise Mart location, where I think many of the wine classes were held (at least that's where I attended one, and the wine area looked like this) so perhaps that's why they expanded the wine section. I have never taken a class here; I took my cooking classes at Flavour before it closed. But I may take a demo class here sometime if they offer them (I'm not a fan of the hands-on classes). In years past they've had a big holiday open house event around Thanksgiving where they demonstrate various techniques, have a few cooking demonstrations, sales, tastes, and so on. That was neat and informative so I'm hoping they have it again at some point. read more

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My husband and I love The Chopping Block! Besides the great classes, don't sleep on the demos, which are a great way to have the experience without doing all the work (wonderful for those of us who aren't the most enthusiastic about cooking). Everyone who works here is great, and they have lots of options for types of food and cooking skills you want to learn at all levels. Check them out! read more

The Chopping Block - Owner Chef Lisa, during an amazing "The Bear" themed demo! - Specialty Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fundamentals of using a chef's knife including care and explanation of sharpening techniques were covered. Practiced basic cutting skills. Friendly helpful instruction. Didn't realize we were only covering one type of knife. read more

I had an incredible time at Knife Skills! If they ever offer a Knife Skills 2, sign me up. Everything was really well explained and it was nice to try some expensive knives that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. Thank you, chefs! read more

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the in-person "Date Night: Spring Feast" demo and "sampling" (read: full portions) of arugula salad, herb-crusted halibut with sauteed mushrooms and leeks, risotto, and lemon souffle to finish. Executive Chef Lisa Counts did an outstanding job demo-ing the meal preparations, teaching us tips and tricks along the way, answering the group's questions, and providing a lot of entertainment throughout! The perfect date night/activity. The food portions were generous and everything was so delicious and tasted gourmet. It was a great meal, great group, great service and teacher, and great night! Chef Lisa also recommended a vanilla bean syrup that I ended up purchasing and have been putting in my coffee every morning. So good! Highly recommend the Chopping Block for either a cooking demo, class, or to purchase products. I took a sushi-making and Indian cooking class at the Merchandise Mart locations about a decade ago, and those were awesome as well. read more

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Hands-On Mozzarella and Ricotta Making is a wonderful class! Chef & the team made everything so easy & The Chopping Block modified for my Celiac Disease as always. We got several easy & delicious recipes to make, eat (yum!) & use for home enjoyment. I hope they do an Autumn section. read more

Absolutely well worth the price and time spent, the Chopping Block offers so many different classes that take you through an immersive, hands on experience for whatever it is that peaks your interest. This particular class gave a 30 minute lesson at the beginning of the 2 hour class on the art and science of sushi , doing a deep dive into the importance of the rice. It's truly ALL ABOUT THE RICE! Get creative and be prepared to enjoy your creations at the end of the class, giving you an evening adventure that you can soon take home and prepare in the comfort of your own space and kitchen. The chefs are professional, knowledgeable, and very helpful during your experience. Visit their website for more class information! read more

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Had a lovely experience with my mom during the hands-on pasta class! We made spinach manicotti and spaghetti carbonara. Delicious!!! I feel we really gained the skills to try this at home. The class was only 8 people so we were paired off in 2 groups of 4 which was nice because we had constant view from the chefs to help us along the way. While some parts we had to split the work with our table, I feel we all got to try our hand at something. The head chef, David, was super knowledgeable and friendly. The other woman helping was also so great (I am so sorry I forgot her name). They were patient, friendly, and made this class fun and lively. I would definitely come back for another class. read more

The Chopping Block - Spaghetti carbonara - YUM - Specialty Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Unreasonable rescheduling policy. I booked a class 1 month out then called them 2 days later to reschedule it to the next session. They refused to reschedule and instead canceled the reservation, keeping the $40 deposit. Now I have to decide if I want to re-book the class and give them more money. I would expect some leeway on the cancellation policy, given that all I wanted to do was switch to a different session and the class was still a month out so they'll have no problem filling it. The person on the phone was polite, but totally unaccommodating. Responding to the Chopping Block's response to my review: I was trying to reschedule, not cancel. You should allow a little flexibility in your policy. If someone wants to reschedule and the class is still 1 month out it costs you nothing to let them reschedule. I already booked a class with a different company, so you won't be seeing me again. There are lots of great cooking schools out there, so you should consider the value of good costumer service in a competitive market. read more

I've taken cooking classes here (Moroccan and Spanish), as well as attended several of their events (Thanksgiving baking event, hosting party, and customer appreciation day's). The team at this location are wonderful to be around. I love their famous Apple pies baked in a cast iron-pan for the holidays! Each year I pick some up for a dessert option on our Thanksgiving menu, as well as some for friends/family. I look forward to these pies every year, and love sharing them with friends/family who are equally impressed. The only thing that is different this year is the omitted option to simply buy the apple pie; the fixed cost includes the cast-iron pan. Just a heads up... Apple Pie in cast iron: 5++ Pumpkin Pie in a disposable baking sheet: 5+ Love the Chopping Block, and this particular location! read more

The Chopping Block - An apple in every slice! Best apple pie! - Specialty Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First time at this location I got wind of a customer free Appreciation event with Thanksgiving theme cooking My daughter and I enjoyed two types of Turkey stuffing wonderful scalloped potatoes and mushrooms hot chocolate and myself a winter alcoholic ale So much food , Christmas decor it really and learn how to smoke a Turkey read more

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Knife class. Thoroughly enjoyed the class. I learned knife basics including knife use, cleaning, as well as chopping block use. Note that all the ingredients used to practice on are vegetables. I hope there's a follow up class on using knives on meats, nuts, etc. read more

I received a large gift certificate a few years ago. I have been spending it down and had a enough left for a class for two and maybe some goodies after. I booked it and unfortunately experienced a medical emergency so I had to cancel. I was refunded for the class minus fees, which was expected. I received $280 credit after paying $322; no big deal. I understood. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and now have chronic pain and other side effects that make it impossible to predict how my days will be. Therefore, scheduling a class in advance isn't possible and even taking a class isn't realistic. My plan was to just spend the rest of the gift certificate balance in the store. I called to confirm this could be done with what was returned after having to cancel due to the medical emergency. Turns out I can't and that the credits expire even though the gift certificates themselves don't. The women I spoke to was nice and said she could speak to her manager, I asked how long it would take to hear back, and I was told 1 to 2 months; which is absolutely ridiculous. So, The Chopping Block now gets $322, $280 if you count the credits they credited minus fees. I wasn't trying to get cash or anything, just wanted to do what I had been and spend the gift certificate balance on store product. They already had the money so I guess they really didn't care about individual situations. Like I said, the individual worker was nice and expressed understanding and empathy. Feels like managers and decision makers could use visits from Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come this Holiday Season, but, business is business I guess. read more

I'm no rookie to The Chopping Block and their fabulous classes, but I do always head to the Merchandise Mart location, so I was excited to finally give the Lincoln Square shop a try! I'm a baker by nature. I do cook, but I don't understand flavors, so when the Flavor Dynamics class popped up I was intrigued. This class is set to be more lecture style and less hands on, which was fine with me. I learned a lot, and tasted many bites along the way. I felt like I walked away with a ton of knowledge that I'll actually use, so I was pleased. Our class ended up running an hour late, which wasn't a huge deal, but I did have plans afterward that it started to eat into. Overall, I feel like The Chopping Block classes are always worth it. For the amount of food and knowledge you leave with, there's really no beating the price. read more

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By far the best cooking classes/school I have ever attended. This is the 5th class our family has attended over the past few years and none of the classes disappoint! Everything taught in this class is easily digest-able for 1st time cooks or home cooks with a lot of experience. The best part of these classes are that the ingredients are easily and affordable to find and they teach you how to cook on normal home style equipment not restaurant grade stuff. Haven't tried a virtual class, but might try it for a date night in the near future. The grilling boot camp shown in the pictures is the most recent class we have taken, but knife skills is also another great class to take. Grilling boot camp: all day course where you learn how to smoke/grill every meat style possible (steak, chicken, trout, pork, pizza, veggies, etc.) Tip: try checking in at the chopping block on yelp when you are at a cooking class and download the parking app so you don't have to leave class to fill the meter read more

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This was the best experience! A very fun and creative way to change up a typical dinner out. As someone who loves to cook, I learned new tips and tricks involving knife skills while enjoying the food and instruction throughout the night. Our teacher JP was great about both giving direction but also letting us students experiment and enjoy the process. Our winter in toscana is a menu we'll be recreating! read more

Great experience! My husband and I took a surf and turf class; great menu and instruction. Food was delicious. The instructor was fantastic, so were the other two chefs who assisted. The main instructor was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Everything was explained clearly, and they answered questions and assisted along the way. I'm very much a beginner, my husband is much more advanced, and it was very enjoyable for both of us. Great date night option. They do pair you with two others, so be prepared to make friends or consider going in a group of four. Highly recommend! read more

I think the Chopping Block Retail Store is amazing... They have: Great ideas for the chef in your life...wife, husband...girlfriend, boyfriend, lover, sister, brother, kids, best friends, wanna be boyfriends/girlfriends...and they PACKAGE THEM RGHT! My Mami got me a ticket to come here for a cooking experience...but the STORE WAS ITSELF A MASTERPIECE...I WANTED EVERYTHING! *Upon Entering they had DONUT SOCKS...for the DONUT person in your life-in a donut shape..Pizza and Sushi Socks the SAME WAY... *Great Christmas Cookie Cutter Sets Packaged in a Box ready-for delivery only a bow needed! * High End Cookware-....see the pictures... *Birthday Candles with Matches in a Glass Jar I was blown away- you have to see it for yourself. FYI-I want to go back and buy the Candied Jalapeno Sauce-...see many Chefs use it in Chicago...reasonably priced...and seems "authentic!" While they do have cooking classes at a big, BAD COOKING COUNTER of a WOOD CHOPPING BLOCK that EVERYONE WHO TAKES THE COURSE CAN "CHOP ON" ...the STORE IS AN ENTITY IN ITSELF... THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TALKING ABOUT IT-RIGHT NOW-RETAIL IS WHERE I AM COMING TO GET GIFTS! FYI-JUST A 3 MINUTE WALK FROM THE WESTERN BROWN LINE STATION! read more

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My partner and I did a knife skills class last month at the Lincoln Square location. We really enjoyed it! I felt like I learned a TON from the lecture at the beginning of the class, and am eager to apply that knowledge in my future kitchen purchases. Aside from some strange classmates, the entire class itself was great. The staff was friendly, accomodating, and professional, and their hands on corrections to my actual knife skills when we got to the applied part was all very helpful. We got to test out a number of different types of knives to see which brand/style works best for our own hands, which I really appreciated. Though I still don't feel that I'm a pro, I am working on changing my habits for the better based on what I learned. **and a note since I came to this class directly from work and wanted to know for myself: a light snack is provided when you arrive! (ours was bruschetta) read more

Love taking classes here! The instructors are really knowledgeable and kind. Classes are pricey but worth it.

Great experience!! Had a great time with family preparing the Late Summer Harvest menu. Our chef was Dino and he was really upbeat, personable and knowledgeable about the menu. Loved that he provided ideas on how we could ramp up the flavors even more. Very attentive and making sure we were preparing the foods correctly. Sous chefs were quick to help out with tasks and on the ready with keeping the area cleaned and stocked with ingredients for the next items on the menu. read more

The Chopping Block - Warm Kale and New Potato Salad - Specialty Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cool school upstairs. Nice shop downstairs. That aside, this apple pie they sold for the Thanksgiving holiday was terrible. Where are the apples? It's just mush and too much lemon (probably what turned the apples to mush). I could also taste the flour on the crust. I expected better. Not the best, just better. Thank you for the skillet though. read more

We had a wonderful time here. We attended the Seafood Grilling session and the food was incredible. Some of the best food I've had in a really long time. The staff were so friendly and helpful. We will definitely be coming back. I'd highly recommend!! Super fun double date night. read more

Friday night grilling class was very good. We enjoyed the experience of hands on cooking with delicious dinner as a result. I had taken a pastry class before. Which was outstanding. You won't be sorry if you sign up. read more

My wife and I had a wonderful time taking a knife skills class here. Chef Trevor was an excellent instructor. All the assistants helping out were great too. The class started with an informative lecture before getting to the hands-on stuff. We learned a lot and walked away with an invaluable skillset we will continue to use forever! I can't recommend a knife skills class enough! They also have a store inside to purchase loads of useful kitchen gear. We bought a couple of cutting boards that have been wonderful so far. read more