The Art of Canning Tomatoes

Julia McDonald of Peasants' Plot Farm

We're all smiles about our upcoming Tomato Canning Clinic with canning expert Julia McDonald of Peasants' Plot Farm. Learn how to make the season's best tomatoes last all year.

One lucky student will win a small canning share! It will include varieties such as cherry tomatoes, mid-sized tomatoes, beefsteaks, hybrids and heirlooms (with an emphasis on heirlooms): all vine-ripened, extraordinary and not commonly found in grocery stores.

Saturday, August 23

10am-12pm

The Chopping Block at the Mart

Another class that celebrates the height of tomato season is September's You Say Tomato featuring salads, chowders, tarts and of course, Fried Green Tomatoes. After this class, you'll be an expert in peeling, seeding and chopping tomatoes!

Our Summer Canning & Preserving class gives you the tools and techniques to "put up" the season's fruits and vegetables so you can enjoy them for months to come. From pickles to jam, you'll love learning how to can.

If you still have questions about canning and preserving, our chefs will answer your questions during a live Facebook chat.

Tuesday, August 19

7pm - 8pm

Go ahead and post your questions now to our Facebook page and join us on 8/19 to get the answers.

Will it Waffle?

If you are a fan of waffles, you've likely heard of the Waffleizer. The blog by journalist and author Dan Shumski caught the attention of national media and has inspired a cookbook called "Will it Waffle?"

Watch Dan work a waffle iron like you've never seen before, and get a copy of his book featuring over 50 irresistible and unexpected recipes in our upcoming special class.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

10apm - 12pm

The Chopping Block Lincoln Square

Want more Waffle inspiration? Check out our Waffle Wonders Pinterest board.

Just Released

Make the most of summer by taking a cooking class in September. Our new class calendars are here!

VIEW ALL OF OUR SEPTEMBER CLASSES

DIY Herb Garden

Having fresh herbs easily accessible at home can really enhance your cooking. In an upcoming special class, you'll learn how to build a DIY herb garden and then use those herbs to take your dishes to the next level.

Micro farmer Todd Jones will demonstrate how to build an herb garden, whether you have an outdoor patio or just a sunny windowsill. He'll fill it with basil, cilantro, parsley, lemon thyme and mint that Chef Alia Dalal will transform into fabulous herb-forward dishes. One lucky student will go home with the herb box full of freshly planted herbs!

Monday, August 25, 2014

6pm - 8:30pm

The Chopping Block at the Mart

Learn how to preserve fresh herbs for the months ahead in Herb Harvest. You'll learn how to make Parsley Oil, Herb Vinegar, Mint Pesto and Tarragon-Dill Butter.

Back to School

The kids will soon be back in school, so it's a perfect time for some continuing education for the adults. How about learning how to be a better cook? Whether you are just starting out or you've been cooking for your family for years, our Culinary Boot Camp will give you confidence in the kitchen.

Culinary Boot Camp
Monday, September 22 - 26, 8:30am - 4:30pm
The Chopping Block at the Mart

If you can't spare a week in your schedule, we offer lots of one-day intensive Boot Camps as well. Become an expert in pasta making, sushi rolling, baking, sauces, and much more!

VIEW ALL OF OUR FALL BOOT CAMPS

Cooking Lab Comes to Lincoln Square

Chefs Shelley Young & Mario Scordato Instruct Cooking Lab

Our new Cooking Lab series has been such a success we're bringing it to Lincoln Square. This four-week class focuses on the science in cooking so that you have a better understanding of what you are doing in the kitchen, rather than just blindly following a recipe.

Our Lead Retail Associate Brenna Wanklyn recently attended this eye-opening class. Read about her experience in her latest blog.

Would you like to get better at timing your meals? Shelley is noodling developing a class on the subject matter, much like she did for our Cooking Lab. Read more about her thought process in her blog and give us your feedback!

Chefs Cook the Green City Market Cookbook

Josh, Jason, Beth and Shelley pose for a "selfie" during the GCM event.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a very special event this week to benefit Green City Market. We raised over $1000 for the market, and over 50 people are now pouring through their new cookbooks!

Thanks also to the chefs and speakers who joined Shelley for this class: Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe, Joshua Kulp and Christine Cikowski of Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Sunday Dinner Club and Beth Eccles of Green Acres Farm.

Still need to get your cookbook? The Green City Market Cookbook is available for purchase online and at the market.

. Thanks for rating us outstanding in the 2014 Zagat Chicago Shopping Survey.