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Photo Courtesy Chicago Tribune
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Over the past 16 years The Chopping Block's doors have been open, we've seen a lot of cooking schools crop up. According to the Chicago Tribune's annual listings, there are now over 100 schools in our area to satisfy every home cook's desire to learn. We are proud to have paved the way for so many educators and food lovers.
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Did you know there are over 7,500 different kinds of apples? From cooking to eating to making cider, the apple is a beloved fruit. Join us as we host a live Facebook chat to discuss our favorite fall fruit: the apple.
Tuesday, September 17 7pm-8pm
Post your apple questions to our Facebook page now to be answered by our chefs live during the event.
AppleFest is also just around the corner!
Enjoy a slice of our famous Apple Pie as we usher in fall at Lincoln Square. This family-friendly event features live music, activities for kids, vendors selling fresh apples, candy apples, hot apple cider, apple pizza and much more. For the first time, we'll be offering a Hard Cider from Virtue Cider for adults. Cheers!
Saturday, September 21 9am-5pm Lincoln Square
Put Us in the Big Game
Football season kicked off last weekend, so now is the time to substitute your favorite cooking school for the big brands who usually play in the Super Bowl halftime commercials. Please vote for The Chopping Block to help us win a commercial during the big game. Your support is greatly appreciated!
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Get your favorite chili recipes ready! We're hosting an old fashioned chilli cook off with a new twist. Submit your recipes to our Facebook page starting Tuesday, September 17th. The recipe (along with two others selected by our chefs) with the most "likes" will be featured during our Trunk Show. The public will taste the top three chili recipes and decide on a winner, who will receive a grand prize featuring items from All Clad, Le Creuset, Lodge and more! Mark your calendars now: Trunk Show
Friday, October 11
11am-7pm
Merchandise Mart
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We celebrated the end of summer with our amazing staff this weekend at a party on our Lincoln Square patio. Claire, Brian, Kim and Tim were all smiles after an evening of good food and drink with their TCB family.
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Finding Fall During a Heat Wave
We realize it can be hard to think of braising, soups and winter squash when it's 97 degrees outside. Despite this week's heat wave, we're ushering in a new season of ingredients and menus in our just-released October calendar. Look for brand new seasonal menus for your favorite classes like Know your Gnocchi, Farm to Table, Pasta Workshop and all of our 101 classes (Seafood, Chicken, Meat).  Once the chill of October arrives, you'll welcome soul-satisfying Autumn Soups & Stews like Lentil, Swiss Chard and Chickpea Stew with Steamed Couscous. We've added one of our favorite recipes to Back to Braising: Pozole Verde: Braised Pork Shoulder in Tomatillo Sauce with Hominy. There's already houses sporting Halloween decorations, so it's never too early to think pumpkin dishes like Baked Mini Pumpkins Stuffed with Cheesy Bread Pudding featured in The Great Pumpkin.  Start planning your autumn parties with help from Fall Cocktails & Appetizers. You'll learn how to make fun party fare like Hot Apple Pie Cocktail, the perfect pairing with Cinnamon-Apple Crostata Topped with Maple Whipped Cream. If you aren't ready to put away the flip flops just yet, there are still plenty of classes to celebrate late summer and all of its seasonal bounty. Farmers' Markets are still going strong, so take a tour of the Lincoln Square Market with our chef and learn how to make the most out of late-summer produce like tomatoes and more.  Summer Canning & Preserving will teach you how to preserve all of that local produce. Once you learn the techniques in Strawberry Jam, there's no limit to what you can can. Bacon Jam, anyone? Stretch out the season with dishes like Sweet and Spicy Barbecued Chicken with Fennel, Celery and Apple Slaw in Late Summer Soiree.
Check out all of our new October cooking classes and don't miss what's yet to happen in September.
The highlighted classes are offered on multiple days at both of our locations, so please search our class calendar for the best fit for your schedule.
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The King Talks Dogs
 When it comes to hot dogs, Doug Sohn is the master. In his new book, the owner of Hot Doug's takes you on a fun, irreverent trip through the history of hot dogs, his restaurant and the many patrons who have declared Sohn the king of dogs. Meet Sohn at our upcoming book signing. You'll sample sausage and take home a signed copy of the book. Tuesday, September 17
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Merchandise Mart
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Virtue Cider Event on Tap
 Craft cider is flowing from more restaurant and bar taps these days. We are happily raising a glass to a special class hosted by Greg Hall, founder of Virtue Cider, next month. Greg will discuss the techniques and traditions of cider making, while you taste five different ciders with cheeses to match. Tuesday, October 9
7pm-9:30pm
Merchandise Mart
Sign up now.  Cider is on the menu for our upcoming Food and Beer Pairing taught by tag team Chef Mario Scordato and his wife and cicerone Stephanie. Mario's multi-course menu features dishes like Tomato Tarte Tatin with Arugula Salad, Pistachio Vinaigrette and Pecorino Romano. Stephanie's pairings include Tyranena Rocky's Revenge and many more excellent beers. Watch as they work as a team to satisfy your food and beer cravings!
Friday, September 27
6pm - 8:30pm
Merchandise Mart
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Boost your Confidence with Boot Camp
From sauces to sushi, grilling to baking, vegetarian fare to braising basics, we are constantly beefing up our Boot Camp curriculum to meet the needs of home cooks who want to take their skills to the next level. From single day classes to week-long commitments, our intensive Boot Camps delve deeper into fundamentals so that you walk away a confident cook.
 Want it all?
Culinary Boot Camp 1 is a five-day experience that give you a taste of a professional culinary school program without the lengthy time or hefty financial commitment. Take your education a step further with Culinary Boot Camp 2, which builds upon the foundations you've already learned.
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