We're Talking More than Turkey in November

We all know November means turkey time. And as always, we've got plenty of cooking classes to help you look good at your holiday meal, whether you are cooking your first Thanksgiving or you're a veteran in the kitchen.

Thanksgiving Workshop is a hands-on class in which you create an entire holiday meal in real time, complete with turkey and side dishes, cranberry sauce and pie.

Thanksgiving Crash Course is our most popular and comprehensive Thanksgiving class, and our chefs' favorite class to teach! We'll teach you the timing, tricks, and classic recipes to ensure everyone leaves your table happy.

Satisfy the vegetarians on your guest list with mouthwatering meatless dishes like Roasted Beet and Butternut Squash Salad with Pistachios and Blood Oranges in Vegetarians Eat Thanksgiving, Too.

How to Carve a Turkey

(just $5!) gives you the know-how to confidently wield a knife and carve your bird to yield the most meat and pretty presentation. Can't wait until next month? Check out our How to Carve Turkey Google+ Hangout with lots of tips from Chef Jeff.

In addition to Thanksgiving, we're offering lots of other classes that will get you ready for the holiday entertaining season.

Use abundant fall produce to create a holiday spread full of flavorful healthy dishes in Healthy at the Holidays. Need ideas for salads now that tomatoes are out of season? Check out Chef Molly's Top 10 List of Fall Salads.

Impress your guests with the stunning desserts you'll learn to make in Holiday Pies & Tarts.

Just because you can't have gluten doesn't mean you have to feel left out during the holidays. A Gluten-Free Holiday menu will satisfy anyone, whether you have a dietary restriction or not!

Cheese and chocolate fondue can be a great solution for casual entertaining. We'll give you tips in How to Make Fondue (just $5!).

Most of these classes are offered multiple times at both of our locations, so please peruse our class calendar for the best fit for your schedule.

SEE ALL OF OUR NOVEMBER CLASSES

Sniff, Swirl, Sip in our New Wine Classes

We are thrilled to have wine classes back on our calendars! These introductory courses called "The Building Blocks of Wine" will be taught by our Sommelier Viktorija Todorovska, who also happens to teach WSET classes for Fine Vintage at The Chopping Block.

What's in a Sip?
Thursday, November 6, 2014
7pm - 8:30pm at the Mart

Wines for Entertaining
Friday, November 21, 2014
7pm - 8:30pm at the Mart

How to Order Wine in a Restaurant
Thursday, December 4, 2014
7pm - 8:30pm at the Mart

Get an Insider's Tour of State-of-the-Art Kitchens

Photo Credit: Paul Cristiani, PhotoGetGo

Tour unique kitchens throughout Harbor Country, Michigan during this weekend's 11th Annual Kitchen Walk to benefit Designs for Dignity.

You'll explore both classic cottages and modern homes. The event includes food & beverage tastings and demonstrations by local chefs, including our Owner/Chef Shelley Young.

Saturday, October 18

11am - 4pm EST

Harbor Country, Michigan

BUY TICKETS TO KITCHEN WALK

Let our Chefs Handle Thanksgiving Dessert

We make a lot of pie here at The Chopping Block. So, let our chefs tackle Thanksgiving dessert. We are now taking orders for our famous cast iron skillet Apple Pie & classic Pumpkin Pie. We offer two days of pickup at each location for your convenience.

Order for pickup at Lincoln Square on Tuesday, November 25.
Order for pickup at Lincoln Square on Tuesday, November 26.

Order for pickup at Merchandise Mart on Tuesday, November 25.
Order for pickup at Merchandise Mart on Wednesday, November 26.

Love Pie? Bucktown Apple Pie Contest is a Party

Shelley will be back behind the judging table at this Sunday's 10th Annual Bucktown Apple Pie Contest. There will be tons of pie to sample, live music and lots of fun for the kids!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

2pm-5pm

Holstein Park

2200 N. Oakley Ave. Chicago

Think you've got a winning pie recipe? There's still time to enter the contest to show off your pie-making skills.

See how much fun our staff has while making Apple Pie for Apple Fest in our Pinterest board.

Outdoor Farmers' Markets will be Gone Soon

Shelley demonstrates how to make Apple Pie at Green City Market.

Sadly, our local outdoor farmers' market season will soon come to a close. Don't miss the last outdoor Green City Market and catch Shelley's cooking demonstration.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

10:30am

Green City Market in the south end of Lincoln Park

Boot Camps Battle Kitchen Anxiety

November is a great time to beef up your cooking skills before the holidays. We've got a solid lineup of Boot Camps that will hone your kitchen knowledge of everything from braising and sauces to vegetarian cuisine to pies, donuts and cupcakes.

Our Culinary Boot Camp boils down all of the important skills home cooks need to know into an intensive five-day course. Cook side-by-side with a different chef each day to gain different perspectives and new techniques.

SEE ALL OF OUR FALL BOOT CAMPS

Classic Crammed with Fun

Shelley & Sara at The Chopping Block's Classic

Last Friday's Chopping Block Classic was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate our 17 years in Chicago. Guests got Knife Skills instruction, tasted our famous Apple Pie and other favorite dishes, sipped our new fall wine list and participated in The Great Gift Card Hunt.

Mark your calendars for another upcoming party. This time, Lincoln Square style!

Customer Appreciation Day and Turkey Trunk Show

Saturday, November 8, 2014

10am - 4pm

Lincoln Square

VIEW PICTURES FROM THE CLASSIC ON FACEBOOK

Take advantage of our Bonus Bucks on gift cards until December 1, 2014. Buy $200 in gift cards and get an additional $25 gift card to gift or keep for yourself (we promise not to tell!). Some restrictions apply. Please call or stop in our stores to purchase.