My two girlfriends and I were so excited to spend a Girls' Night Out at the Chopping Block. Unfortunately, the staff was so condescending that they pretty much ruined our evening. We got a bad first impression from the moment we walked in the door. The two men who were in front were rude and sarcastic. Luckily, the young lady who checked us in was very sweet and helpful. It seemed that she was trying to make up for the rudeness and sarcasm of her fellow employees. Unfortunately, she was the only professional person we dealt with. It seemed that the rest of the staff had a chip on their shoulder - definitely did not seem happy to be working there and took it out on the customers. After several odd exchanges, we decided to leave before the cooking demonstration even started. We lost $150 by leaving and we were very disappointed (we had been looking forward to this for weeks). read more

I took the sushi class here. GO. GO NOW. I ate my weight in sushi grade Ahi. I've also taken classes at the Merch Mart location, and I prefer this one. Hands down. read more

I did a wonderful French cooking demonstration here and it was worth every penny of the $40 price tag. At first, I felt it was a little steep, but I decided to give it a try anyway just to check it out. Do make a reservation and arrive early because there is a lot of cooking to be done! We made a red wine braised chicken, poached salmon with fennel salad, olive oil mashed potatoes and pots de creme! Our instructor, Australian native Jon Alexander was very informative and answered any questions we had regarding how to make any of these dishes. I highly enjoyed his demonstration on how to properly butcher a chicken. The end result was delicious and very very easy to make at home (I made it for my husband the next week and it was awesome!). You can enjoy wine during the demo at retail prices and if you take the class, you get 15% off that bottle too! I will be going again very very soon! read more

Took my mother there a few years ago because she taught me how to cook and I thought she'd enjoy a knife lesson. We really had a great time. The class upstairs is state-of-the-art and very clean. It's intimate, so you will have to talk to other people you are sharing ingredients with. I recommend to anyone looking to give a loved one who cooks something different. read more

Wooooooooooooooo! This review is specifically for the Summer Wine Goddess series. Myself and three friends decided to go to celebrate my birthday. This kicked off a night of serious drinking that my liver is still mad at me for. Let's just say that a two-hour long wine tasting class is not the smartest way to kick off a night out on the town. But I guess you if you aren't a drinking superstar, you could just go home after (nah, its much more fun to keep the party going after). The Lincoln Square location is fun because the of the awesome outdoor kitchen/patio, and we all spent a good 15 minutes before the class drooling over the gadgets inside the shop. When the class got started, we quickly realized that we were the rowdy table...we got a few looks but guess what, IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY. And seriously, it's a wine class so have some sips and relax and have a good time already. If you want to drink your wine with a scowl on your face in complete silence, do it at home on your own deck. But the majority of people were there to have a good time. The wines for this particular class were meant to be "sexy, light summer selections" and they definitely were! I can go on and bore you with each pour, but I'll save the time and tell you that our table generally liked each of the 8 selections with the exception of one very sweet and fruity muscato that tasted like something my grandma would drink. The snacks served were all comprised of specialty items you could buy inside (truffle-salted popcorn, avacado/goatcheese crostini, and bacon wrapped dates) so of course they were good (especially the truffle popcorn...yummmmmmm). For $45 each, we definitely had a generous amount of wine (I would guess about 3-4 glasses each) and all the water we could drink (like, one sip). If I could change one thing about the class, I happily spend $10 more for heavier appetizers. Since this class is held during typical dinner hours (7-9) and most people I know drink the full pour during a tasting, thats a lot of wine and not much else in the tummy. This was not my first Chopping Block class and will definitely not be my last. They passed out the schedule of upcomming summer events, and there is one that features top sommeliers of Chicago presenting their favorite bargain (under $20) wines...definitely a class that is right up my alley! This is great as a date or with friends, but keep your group on the small side (4 or less). Happy Birthday to me! read more

I recently took the knife skills class at the Lincoln Square Chopping Block. I really enjoyed the experience and learned a great deal. The class is geared towards novice chefs. There was nothing crazy or earth shattering, but I feel much better about tackling a bunch of veggies in the future. I really enjoyed the tips on cutting onions and feel like that will save me some time, and improve my skills. We also traded around knives with different tables so we could experience the different brands (I think we decided we like Shun the best). A few random comments... They served popcorn flavored with some tasty seasoning salts from the store. We brought wine, but there is a corkage (around $10). They sell their own, so we just bought a bottle from them for about 10 bucks. I would definitely recommend the class for anyone who doesn't feel entirely comfortable and/or proficient with a high quality chef's knife. read more

So nice! I want to go back and take a class. I had been all over the neighborhood (and by that, I mean a three block radius, read my reviews I am super lazy) looking for a grill seasoning/steak seasoning for a dry rub I was making. Everyone else looked at me like I had brain damage (thanks Meat Market...) but when I went into the Chopping Block, I told the lovely girl I needed some seasoning for a dry steak rub, and she smiled and said "we have just the thing." Sure enough, there it was. And I was glad, because I don't like leaving the neighborhood. : ) read more

I have taken both the knife skills class here and a couples cooking class with my husband. Both experiences were fantastic! You can bring your own wine to the classes, but they also have very nice assortment of reasonably priced wines in the shop. If you are somewhat experienced in the kitchen, I would recommend signing up for a class that focuses on a cuisine you are unfamiliar with or with a new technique. If you are looking for a unique gift idea, they do offer gift cards that are good for both their shop and the classes; it has definitely been one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. Happy chopping! read more

First timer at the Chopping Block, but Lisa and Sue made us feel like regulars. Great date spot--probably an even better double-date spot as we were in a group of four with another randomly-assigned couple--luckily they were super nice. The one warning I'd give is to eat something beforehand because the 6pm-9pm class is about 2.5 hrs of cooking with the eating portion starting around 830pm. Lisa is extremely energetic and helpful while Sue was bouncing around answering questions, too. Parking was pretty straight-forward (probably a total of $8 for the 3 hours). The store will likely be locked if you arrive early, so try to arrive closer to the start time. The cooking portion was definitely worth the money considering you get a full meal plus leftovers out of the 3 hours. The tips were very helpful and we took plenty of notes. We'll be back, so thank you to Lisa and Sue! read more

I've taken 4 classes here; the knife class twice (although the husband just received 7 stitches on his finger after a squash cutting accident, maybe a third is in our future) and two vegetarian classes. I'll focus this review on the last class, A Vegetarian Thanksgiving. The class started at 10am, and I was thrilled to see they had made us some breakfast (zucchini fritatta) and they had coffee readily available. Chef Hugh was our instructor that day, and they had another 2 chefs helping us out. The staff was all very helpful. It was a full class, there are 4 stations, with 4 people to each station, and we were going to make 4 recipes. My husband and I were taking this class in the hopes of making one of the recipes we learned here and bringing it to our Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we didn't end up doing that, we didn't think any of the recipes would be a good vegetable dish to bring. Now, don't get me wrong, we did like some of them (Shitake Gravy and the Roasted Acorn Squash w/ cranberry and quinoa), but there was a corn and gouda bread pudding dish that just wasn't great. And, it was SUPER fattening (2 1/2 cups of half and half, 7 eggs, and almost a pound of cheese). Also, they told us the bread should really be cut up the day before, and it wasn't. Maybe that's why it didn't turn out so good? The previous class I had taken here, probably 8 years ago, we measured everything out and made things completely from scratch. This class was different, everything is already measured out for you, and you're sharing all recipes with others at the table. I understand in the interest of time, not doing this probably isn't a possibility, I just wish it was. Also, one thing I wish they'd change is getting oven mits or pot holders. They give you 1 kitchen towel to remove everything from the oven. No one in our group was comfortable with this, and we asked the staff to help take out the food. Once you're finished cooking, you get to sit and eat your meal, and you do get to bring home any leftovers. I'd still probably come and take another class, but I'd be darn sure that I liked the recipes being provided. Hey, we did make an acorn squash, and I let the husband do the honors of cutting it. We made sure to get advice from the chef on the best way to cut it though, and we left with all fingers in tact! read more

A solid 4 stars for the classes... the manfriend got me a gift card to The Chopping Block for Christmas, and after watching the calendar for months, I finally found a class that was one I really wanted to go to and that worked for both of our schedules. We went to the lobster making class, and holy cow did we make lobster. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up, that these little critters would still be alive, and that this class would force me to do the unthinkable... kill my own food. And I did it. I can't believe I did it, but I did. I still haven't decided if I'm proud or if I'm appalled. Either way... The menu was great, and the chef/teacher was really great as well. My only downsides are 1) the cost, and 2) that you don't really "cook" everything yourself. Granted, there is no time for that unless you took a day-long class, so I get it, but when you pay so much it's nice to actually measure out the ingredients yourself, at the very least. I do also like the idea that, instead of everyone's hands being up in your stuff, that your dishes be kept somewhat separate, but I understand the size of the workspace restraint & size of the class so it isn't really possible. It's extra nice when you get partners that do wash their hands every so often at least. I'm no amazing chef by any means, but I like to think I'm somewhat decent in the kitchen & this class only helped me get better. I think my Grandma would be proud. I'd really like to come back and take some of the basics classes, like the Knife Skills, to polish up things like that. I definitely recommend this for a date night situation, or for a group of friends as an outing as opposed to just sitting & eating dinner out somewhere. read more

I like the hands-on classes, I think the instructors are very knowledgeable and approachable. The cooking area upstairs has a nice view of Gene's Sausage Shop and of Lincoln Square. I really enjoyed the recipes and my husband and I were fortunate to be paired with a normal couple. It's nice how they time everything, so that at the end of the class you all sit down and reap the hard work of cooking. The only reason why I wouldn't give it 5 stars is because the classes are really expensive to me. I thought about taking the sushi class with my husband, but I think $85 per person is really pricey. read more

I love this little store... it's where I go to buy a bunch of kitchen stuff that I really don't need but looks awfully cool. I have never taken a cooking class here, but I hear they are pretty great as well. In addition, they usually have those not-so-common-in-major-grocery-store items that I always seem to need when "experiment cooking". The staff is also usually super friendly and informative. If you are into cooking, or are looking to get into cooking, I would stop by and chat up one of the employees. Get some new gadgets and maybe sign up for a class or two... you will be good to go. read more

Here's the bottom line: you can take a variety of classes on cooking, wine tasting and food preparation in general. You can use The Chopping Block for a date night, and have the majority of the work done by other people. I've been here with dates. I've been here with my sister. I've even been here with some buddies. If you haven't visited this gem in Lincoln Square, you're missing out. Take a wine course with The Wine Goddess. She's incredibly knowledgeable and clever as all get out. The best part is this -- she won't make you feel like an idiot for not knowing things. I've also taken the knife skills class. Great teachers, fun topic awesome truffle salt popcorn with rosemary. As I've alluded to above, you can take all kinds of classes here. I mean, I could do this shit once a week and really never get tired of going here. I think it's a huge bonus that the instructors don't give you the hard sell on buying things from the Chopping Block after the class is over. Sure, they'll give you recommendations, but they aren't stuffing things into your hands and forcing you into the check-out aisle. Dates. Friend nights. Mother's day. Arbor Day. Casmir Pulaski Day. Just go here. read more

I just went to the knife skills class today and I learned SO MUCH! I have been cooking ever since I could sit up (maybe an exaggeration, but, well, you get the point...), but I never learned proper knife skills. I finally was able to attend the class and I am so glad I didn't put it off another day! So many of my questions were answered and I left feeling much more confident about my cooking abilities. Chef Marici (or something like that) was very approachable and humorous. I was also happy to learn more about the construction of a good knife and was able to try out many different designs so I know what kind to start collecting. This was a fantastic course for me to take and I hope to try the butchering class to somewhat complete my culinary skills. Also, after the class you get 10-15% off products in the store, which is certainly a perk! The only 2 down-sides are the price of the classes and the one-week cancellation policy. However, from the business point of view, both are probably pretty reasonable. Maybe to cover expenses, instead of charging the full amount for cancellation, they could charge half or whatever they deem business savvy. Anyways, this is certainly a place that people should check out; they have classes/events for everyone and for every occasion. read more

So far, I've just browsed through the merch, but I would love to take a class here! Afsheen F. and I were greeted warmly as we walked in, and the shopkeeper let us know that they were doing a 20% off sale on all cookware (including the high end brands like Le Creuset and Lodge cast iron). We were just browsing, but I saw a few gadgets that I wouldn't mind acquiring in the future. Aside from cookware and gadgetry, there is a small section of spices mixes, rubs, marinades and such. There's also a beautiful long butcher block bar that is in the middle of the store and it looks like a great teaching space. The classes seem like the main event here and they host multiple classes almost every day that vary in price. I peeked at the schedule and they sounded really informative and fun: knife skills, winter casseroles, aphrodisiacs (around V-Day), kid-friendly classes, pasta-making workshops, French baking, Indian curries, vegetarian, sauce boot camp, sushi-rolling, Cajun cooking, etc. There were even a couple of sessions inspired by books and films like The Help and Like Water for Chocolate and The Darjeeling Limited. Some classes include wine or beer, but you can also bring your own for a corkage fee. When I was there, there was also a check-in offer on the Yelp app for a free glass of wine at a class, so don't forget to check yo'self (in)! If you're looking for a fun date, night out with friends or a gift for a foodie... chop-chop to The Chopping Block! read more

One thing that I noticed that nobody here mentioned is their wines. 1. The selection is tiny -- just about two dozen or so. 2. They vary in prices, mostly in $15-20 range. 3. They are very good! I love walking around the hulking shelves at Sam's Wine or Binny's, marveling at the ginormous selection, but sometimes, you just need someone to tell you, "these are all great, now pick what you want!" Chopping Block's manageable selection does just that for me. I actually stop by the Chopping Block every time I find myself in Lincoln Square to pick up a bottle or two. Now, I'm a bottom feeder when it comes to wines... mostly the sub-$12 range. Two great wines they have right now at are both around ~$10-12 that I had before, which I returned to get more are Marco Real Tempranillo 2005 (great, versatile red) and Chateau Haut Sarthes Bergerac Rose 2007 (completely changed my perception on rose wines). As for the retail items... well, it's kinda like the difference between the shopping experience at Nordstrom versus rummaging through the bargain bins at Nordstrom Rack so to speak. It's the same items you can get online or at Target, but you pay for the experience of personal staff and the store's convenience and ambiance. Personally, I think that a lot of the items at the $10 range are actually very fairly priced. For example, I just picked up a lime green Kuhn Rikon paring knife for $10 today, which is actually same as Amazon.com (plus tax, but with instant gratification!). Extra bonus for October -- they're running a 'promotion' until end of October where you can pick a ticket at random in a jar as you pay at the register, and get the discount indicated on the ticket. I took a peek before I actually knew what it was, and most are 10% off -- I was lucky and picked a 15% off in a blind draw. Price for 3 bottles of wine + paring knife = $38! read more

Got classes? The Chopping Block certainly does. Normally I reserve Sundays for drinking copious amounts of coffee and being lazy. Not today, today I wound up in Lincoln Square and died of pure pleasure in this glorious gastronome fantasy. The area is fixated with a bunch of eateries and cafes so why not have a culinary shop nestled in the mix. It's challenging work to create culinary works of art and this location serves not only as a store with merch but also houses cooking classes to build up on your mad skills. While your nose is being tormented by the gorgeous scents of sauteed meats and grilled onions...or whatever else they're doing at the station in the back, your eyes are being teased with the vast amount of cookbooks and cutlery. There's a bunch of utensils but for me the crown jewel was the cookbooks. As with any library, there is always room to be educated which is exactly what this culinary shop offers. The books are for all levels of cooking but are a little higher quality than Rachael Ray The copy of Larousse Gastronomique was oh so tempting and I want to have it so badly but it's an expensive book and will have to be worked into the budget. At the register there was a printout for the class listings for the month of October. Celebrating Julia Child, French Creperie, Cupcake Boot Camp, Autumn Soups and Stews. There are tons of classes and priced very reasonably to attend. Definitely a wonderful find and am looking forward in setting up a time to attend one of the workshops. read more

I love The Chopping Block - maybe because I love food, cooking, and all kinds of cooking/kitchen utensils and tools - and the Chopping Block celebrates all of that. Stop into the cute shop to pick up something special for yourself or others (many nice gift options), or sign up for a cooking class! I've done both, and I have also taken one pasta-making class at the C.B.'s other location in the Merchandise Mart. The Mart's location is larger, but there's something nice about the quaint Lincoln Square location too, and bonus - they have a back area set up for grilling and outdoor cooking classes. My group of four took a "Global Grilling" class and we had a blast. We came prepared with some beers that were put on ice for us (thank you), and our class of 12 was stationed around a marble island where we chopped, marinated, and prepped our grill-tastic dinner. We enjoyed grilled chicken (cooked on the big green egg), marinated shrimp, mango salsa, grilled flank steak lettuce wraps, and fresh grilled herb flat-bread. I feel like I learned more technical skills in the pasta making class because we literally made everything from scratch, whereas the grilling class was more about chopping and trying some new recipes, but we still really enjoyed the class and the delicious food at the end of the night. Staff was professional and friendly, ingredients were top notch, and the cooking area was clean and well put together. These cooking classes are such a fun alternative for something different to do around town, or even a special outing for visiting guests. read more

First of all, get the crazy idea that I came here for a cooking class out of your head....I'm sure the classes are lovely, but I'd burn whatever I tried to make, despite the best instructions...it's a gift. I went to The Chopping Block for a special event last Friday - my friend's surprise 40th birthday party. What a great place for a get-together on a summer evening! There is a fenced/covered deck in the back of the store, with tables/chairs and a cooking station, where the fabulous Paul cooked up some a-mazing stuff for us! Go Paul! I think the potato and prosciutto flatbread pizza was my favorite, but everything was way awesome. Paul needs to come to my home and cook for me. Every day. My friend's husband coordinated the party, and he said everyone at The Chopping Block was absolutely outstanding to deal with. If you are looking for a place to have a semi-small (20-some of your closest friends) gathering ....consider The Chopping Block!! read more

After many years of saying "I should really go to a demo there" I finally did it! And boy do I feel foolish for not having done it sooner! My best girlfriend and I attended the Fall Baking Demonstration this past Saturday. Lead by a very charismatic chef, we learned four delicious desserts, perfect for my thanksgiving spread. I wasn't really sure what to expect. I'm typically more of a hands-on kind of person but I was impressed how intimate the setting was. It was very well executed without being overly scripted. I look forward to several others -- and moving upstairs for a hands-on class. The store portion is cute. Not that unlike most other kitchen stores, it has a decent variety. I enjoyed browsing their specialty items and know I will return with a list next time. read more

The Chopping Block is a great little cooking school. I first found it when my son (who was 7 at the time) wanted to take cooking classes. They offer a week long series of classes in the summer for kids that is amazing! The kids bring samples to the parents as well as the recipes so that they can create them at home. We're talking real recipes, not just kid food. I have attended some fun events at The Chopping Block as well, my favorite was the Tibetan Monks evening of chanting and cooking - we learned how to make mo-mos - YUM! read more

I love this place! We were lucky enough to swing by on customer appreciation day and sample hot cocoa, truffle butter popcorn, smoked turkey, Apple and sage stuffing, roasted turkey and fried turkey as well as turkey sliders. The various cooking items here are fantastic and the cooking classes offered are abundant. We are planning on taking a Parisian cooking class with some friends in the next month or so. I love coming in here, the customer service is great and the selection of kitchen goodies is enough to keep you busy in the kitchen whipping up new treats. read more

I just took my second class at the Chopping Block location in Lincoln Square and had a great experience. I always find the chef and chef's assistants to be knowledgeable and friendly; they toss out helpful, usable advice for when you're cooking on your own. Our class was a hands on pasta class; we made spinach linguine, a ricotta manicotti and squash ravioli. Out of the three, I most enjoyed the butternut squash; it also seemed the easiest for me to duplicate at home...though the more ambitious could do any. A nice plus that they give you discounts on the tools that you use in class; I purchased some great spatulas for use in high heat! read more

Me and two of my chickee friends did the Girls Night Out/Spalicious cooking demo last night and it was definitely a good time. Sari, our chef for the evening, was so lively, good humored, and gave us a lot of helpful info while giving the demo. She was also cool about answering questions we had. And the food was... oh my goodness, it was so fresh, so flavorful, apparently so very healthy, AND so easy to make! Too bad we weren't able to participate in the cooking (other than watching and eating) but we were able to enjoy ourselves with a nice bottle of wine (available there, or BYO w/ corkage fee). The whole thing kind of seemed like you were in your good girlfriend's kitchen - fun times. read more

Having spent a lot of quality time cooking and eating lately, my husband and I decided to learn some new recipes and share a Valentine's Day date at Chopping Block last night. It was fantastic! The food ingredient quality is excellent, the instructors and assistants are super helpful and friendly, and we learned some great techniques and met some new friends. I was coveting all of their copper All Clad cookware and Le Creuset baking dishes when we left... might have to take advantage of the post-class 20% discount on tools and ingredients. They charge a $10 corking fee for your own bottle of wine, but they have some really great wine choices for decent prices - almost all bottles are between $10-25. So I'd definitely recommend checking out their wine menu and skipping the fee. I enjoyed the hands-on course (upstairs), but I'm sure the demonstration courses downstairs are great too, especially if you would prefer to relax (I was pretty tired after our 3-hour class!) Upstairs was so cozy though, and we sat and enjoyed the fruits of our labors during a leisurely dinner after our class was officially over. I can't wait to return for the Knife Skills session, and I'm already jonesing to take another full class. Thanks Chef Paul and all the folks at Chopping Block for a great date! read more

Great little shop for kitchen needs. I've not yet taken one of their classes, but the selection looks good. Their products are all great quality. read more

Everybody Loves Bacon....(don't they)? That was the name of the demonstration class I went to last night @ the Lincoln Square location. It was led by Carolyn and she made 4 different courses (appetizer, salad, main entree and dessert) all using bacon. It was awesome. I would highly recommend going to the next one scheduled with a friend or on a date. It was so much fun and there wasn't one item where I didn't savor every bite! read more

Pasta Class- I did end up going back for another class. After the HORRID empanadas I had there the time before, I thought I would NEVER go back. It was the pasta making class this time that won me over. I LOVED it. The class went very well. The assistants weren't Clair Bear, but they were good. :) *(I love Clair Bear.) The sauces and pastas were really amazing. We made Pappardelle with Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe; Butternut Squash-Filled Tortellini with Brown Butter Sage Sauce; Spinach Fettuccine Carbonara. While everything was good, the Butternut Squash-Filled Tortellini with Brown Butter Sage Sauce was like an orgasm of the mouth! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I don't remember the teacher's name, but he was good. He used a dash of water instead of olive oil. That was the only thing I would have done differently, but that's just what I learned from an Italian I know. It did not seem to make a difference. This class made up for the awful food I had at the last class I took here. I would go back if this was the kind of food I would be guaranteed. read more

This review is a little late...but better late than never! Me and my husband decided to take a cooking class. Because we like to cook. And eat. MMMM. So we decided to take the pasta making class. Bascially, you're rounded it into groups of (about) 4. You have to work together with your table mates to complete your dishes. This class was all about making your own pasta and creating delicious dishes with it. The three dishes were: Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Lasagna Prosciutto and roasted vegetable pasta Butternut squash stuffed ravioli with walnut parsley pesto It was a learning experience, for sure. All of the dishes turned out AMAZING. God. The chefs teaching the class were super helpful and made the class a blast. We both had a great time. Did I mention you eat your creations afterward? You also get the recipes on how to make the dishes. I've made the ravioli at home several times, and we've made the lasagna once. We are trying to plan our next Chopping Block adventure. BEST CLASS EVAR read more

On vacation, I was looking for something different and fun to do. So, I attended a sushi making class here. I thought the cooks were pretty knowledgeable and entertaining, and it was a great way to spend a Saturday evening -- sipping wine, taking in various recipes and learning about various aspects of sushi, tempura, rice, and fish. I thought the store was pretty well equipped with various supplies. The teachers also knew the best places to purchase ingredients which was also helpful. If I'm in town again, I wouldn't mind coming back for another class. read more

I booked the Couple's Cooking: The Big Easy class with my boyfriend for his birthday - we made crab cakes with remoulade, chicken & andouille sausage gumbo, and bananas foster bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream. Keep in mind that you eat at the END of class (our class was 7-9:30pm) but they give you a little snack you can munch on throughout the class so you're not too hungry. The cooking part is SO FUN - you are paired up with another couple and as a team of 4, you cook the meal. Depending on who the other couple is, it can be a hit or miss but we had so much fun with our couple. Lisa taught the class and she is phenomenal - so funny and informative. They also have a couple of assistants walking around to help you out, give you tips on cooking techniques, and answer your questions. My boyfriend and I aren't very well-versed in the kitchen, so having those assistants around was so helpful! Only complaint about the cooking part is that you don't necessarily make everything out of scratch, ingredients have been measured out for you already, and the crab meat for the crab cakes was already prepared for us. It would've been cool to do all that ourselves, but I understand that it would take way too long when the class is already 2.5 hours long. The eating part is the best - you sit at a long family-style dinner table and eat the food you prepared (split with the other couple you are paired up with of course). There is plenty of food for everyone and a good amount of leftovers to take home. SO SO DELICIOUS. I will be using these recipes for future dinner parties. read more

I attended their popular knife skills class yesterday at this location. The class covered various knives (sizes and brands), proper storing and sanitation as well as chopping methods. Overall. the class size is intimate and the instructor was informative. She also paid individual attention to everyone's progress throughout the duration of the class. My only qualm about this class was that there was not enough hand sanitation encouraged. During the chopping portion of the class, you could opt to store your 'masterpieces' in ziplocks to bring home. Yet we weren't encouraged to wash prior to beginning and we were alternating different knives w/our neighbors in the class. Germs from who knows what were all over the cutting surfaces...YUCK! read more

I love this place. I've gone twice and had an excellent experience both times. I've been cooking quite a while but I still learned quite a few tips and tricks in both classes. We did an active class the first time where we prepared the full meal with another couple. The food turned out great and the chef/instructors were very friendly and helpful. You can also byob (fee) or buy there. The in-house wine selection is very good, so I would actually recommend that. The second class was more of a cooking demonstration where the chef's did all of the prep and cooking. Still a lot of fun but I preferred the interactive class. Go check it out, they have a great variety of classes and their website will answer pretty much any question you may have. read more

I took the totally hands on sushi making class here. It cost $85. I will say the service was very polite and the atmosphere very pleasant. I didn't think the sushi we prepared however was very good. We made a shrimp tempura which looked good when they first fried it but then they mixed it with mayo and it got totally soggy and gross, I also felt the sushi rice really lacked flavor. I wish this class had gone a little beyond the basic rolls and helped inspire you to make some more creative dishes with ingredients that were easier to get. Overall I think it was a nice experience but the sushi was not very good. Also at the end of the class I had no time to even consider taking advantage of the 15% discount as my parking meter was going to run out and there were two classes of people all trying to check out at the same time. It would have been nice if I could have been given a coupon to use at another time given that due to meter time there was no time to look. I think that if you have absolutely no idea how to follow a recipe or really want to learn something complicated then this is a great idea but if you are already proficient in the kitchen then it's not worth the price. I would rather spend it on a new cooking gadget. Over all the place is clean, friendly, and provides enough supplies for everyone to partake, but unfortunately the sushi class did not provide very good sushi. read more

We have taken many classes at the Chopping Block - the other night it was the Tapas class at the Lincoln Square location. The preparation for class is well done and they make it easy on the students in the class by preparing the ingredients and tools needed for the cooking class in advance. It makes it easy to walk in and have a recipe and everything you need to successfully cook the menu for the night. For this night the head chef and assistant helped the eight of us cook bacon wrapped dates, black bean empanadas, goat cheese marinara, and chicken chorizo paella. We worked through each dish with the chef informing of the history of the dish and helpful information regarding the preparation of each dish. Throughout the evening we were given additional advice on cutting/chopping and additional ideas on how to prepare meal (like adding cheese to the bacon wrapped dates). During the cooking class you can bring a bottle of wine with you for a $10 corkage fee or buy from the selection at the store. Either is a nice option to have something to drink while preparing and eating your meal. As with all of our visits to the Chopping Block the chefs and assistants are very personable and helpful throughout the evening. It makes for an enjoyable evening as you learn how to cook along with enjoying good food (as long as you do a good job for the hands-on class). read more

I think I've decided that I now like the Lincoln Square location better than the Merchandise Mart location of this fantastic cooking school duo. I've taken a few demo and hands-on classes at both locations and though the instructors are always friendly and extremely knowledgeable at both venues, I just love the down-to-earth friendly feeling of Lincoln Square (ok, save for the families with the strollers coming into the store on Saturday mornings when you're trying to concentrate on what's going on and some kid decides they want to play with the spatulas!) The demo classes tend to be small and allow for lots of personal contact with the instructors. If you take an evening class you can enjoy a bottle of wine (or beer) and the alcohol prices are fairly reasonable for a very nice selection. At $40 a person for a demo class, you're also getting a full dinner (usually salad, appetizer, entree and dessert) plus wonderful instruction...not a bad deal at all my friends! I took the Midwest Table class and not only did our chef make a delicious menu for the evening that I can't wait to try at home (spring pea soup with pancetta and creme fraiche? Yes please!) but she was as sweet as the strawberry cheesecake she made for us. If you can, take a class with Linnzie who brings her Texas charm and experience at Chicago's acclaimed Tru to some great classes. She is passionate, knowledgeable and more than willing to share some great "tricks of the trade". As with all Chopping Block classes - 15% off items used in the class, 10% off other items in the store. Great deal. read more

So much fun! Bought a class for my hubby for Christmas and we used it this past weekend on a date night "Your Place or Mine?" hands on class. We made some yummy food and met some new friends - what could be better? Warning - drinking two bottles of wine and eating too much could cause you to spend way too much money on random stuff you didn't know you needed in the store downstairs!! read more

I recently attended a sushi making class at the Chopping Block in Lincoln Square. On arrival, we were greeted with edamame and an introduction from our chef, Michelle and assistant George. The ambiance was immediately homey and inviting, we were encouraged to walk around with our wine to see the facility, or take a look around to shop when we'd like. The group bonded instantly, each attendee eager to learn and meet a new friend. Michelle was extremely knowledgeable, giving us a history of sushi making and offering tips and tricks along with the demonstration portion of the class. George was attentive and well skilled in customer service, offering us refills on wine, water and food as needed. We were given plenty of food (we took 2 rolls home) and the option to make more if we wanted (we were stuffed like sushi rolls!). The class time was listed as 7pm - 9:30pm, but we stayed making sushi, talking and shopping until 10pm while Michelle encouraged us to stay and enjoy. No rushing us out or annoyance at our dillydallying. If you're looking for a fun evening with friends, a date, or a work event, the Chopping Block provides a welcoming environment, professional staff, and a laid back attitude to help you learn some new cooking skills! read more

If you have any interest in food or its preparation, you should try a hands-on or demo course. Great instruction in a fun setting.