The Chopping Block  

   

 

Food Bloggers Cook  

We welcomed Chicago Food Bloggers for their very first event last weekend. It was an opportunity for food bloggers in our area to network, learn some new things in the kitchen and enjoy an afternoon of great food and drinks.  

 

"Every blogger had a great time with The Chopping Block's expert chefs in their gorgeous kitchen facility. We all came away with some great recipes and photos for our blogs. And more than a few of us went shopping when it was over. This was our first event and it set a high standard for all that follow," said Mike Kostyo, founder of Chicago Food Bloggers. 

 

Check out more pictures from the event in The Ghost Guest's blog

 



Chicago Food Swap

Our kitchens will be filled with homemade goodies next month as we host a Chicago Food Swap.

What's that? A food swap is a gathering of food lovers to exchange homemade creations. No cash is exchanged, and no goods are sold. Instead, everyone swaps their goodies in a silent auction format.

October's swap at our new Lincoln Square neighbor Savory Spice Shop is already full, but follow Chicago Food Swap on Facebook and sign up for their newsletter to find out when signup will begin for our November event. These will go fast!

 

 

Check Out That Spread  

Fall is here, but we'll keep cooking outdoors until the cold forces us inside! Our Lincoln Square patio is still open for business for cooking classes and private events.

Our staff recently took advantage of a gorgeous Sunday afternoon to share some delicious food with their work family and loved ones during our summer party. Don't you wish your company party had a spread like that?
 
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Start Thinking Holiday     

 

Talking about holiday parties before the first cold snap of the season may seem crazy, but now is the time to start thinking about booking your event. Our calendar will soon fill up with corporate and personal seasonal celebrations. Some clients make a return visit to our kitchens each year. Here's why: 

 

Konica Minolta Holiday Party 2012 
"We keep coming back to The Chopping Block because we have a ball every time! We enjoyed last year's holiday event so much that we've expanded our party from 8 people to a group of 23. From a corporate event stand point, there is nothing better. This setting brings people together, gets them working as a team, and in the end you get to enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner together! The staff really does a  great job engaging people at all cooking levels and everyone learns something new. A holiday party at The Chopping Block is a true class event!
"
 
Have a holiday party to plan? We can accommodate groups from 10 to 300 people for custom events. Contact us for more information.     

The Chopping Block
 
Throwing a Halloween Party Isn't Scary          
   

There's no holiday like Halloween to inspire creativity in fun party food and spooky decor. For once, black and orange food is embraced and no one will think badly of you for having cobwebs in your house.










Here are five easy party tips to get your creepy on:

1. Date selection for your party is important. It's best to choose the weekend before Halloween if Halloween falls on a weekday like this year. Parents are usually busy with their kids on the actual holiday.
2. Use a preserving solution like Pumpkin Fresh to keep your jack-o-lantern from spoiling before the party.
3. Skip the expensive fog machine and burn incense throughout the house to create a smoky atmosphere.
4. Make a killer playlist for the night. The No. 1 song on Halloween playlists is Michael Jackson's Thriller, but Billboard's Top 10 Halloween Songs can provide inspiration.
5. A strobe light in the bathroom is just fun.

Stock up on Halloween merchandise like ghostly aprons, lace pumpkins, bedazzled tarantulas and witch wine bottle stoppers during our Trunk Show next week. You'll spin our discount wheel to save anywhere from 5% to 30% off your purchase that day. Plus, meet our favorite vendors and be the first to try new products. Taste the finalists in our first Chili Cook Off and vote for your favorite to win a grand prize featuring Le Creuset, Lodge Cast Iron and more!

Trunk Show
Friday, October 11
11am-7pm
The Chopping Block at the Mart
 

Pinterest Check out more ideas for spooky fun food in our Halloween Fun Pinterest board.    

 

And don't forget to bring the kids by our Lincoln Square location on Saturday, October 26 for trick or treating  

The Chopping Block
 
Meet our Event Team 
             
Our Event Team is a creative, if not somewhat quirky, group of food lovers whose job is to plan every detail of each event to ensure all private event guests have a great time.

Michael's Signature Dish: Southern Tomato Pie 
Get to know them, from their signature dishes to their most hated food to who they would seat at their dinner table in our new Event Team profiles.
 
Want to connect with one of these awesome event planners? Put them to the test and request more info for a private event.     

 

 
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