July Classes:
August Classes:
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Mark Your Calendar:
Folk & Roots Festival
We look forward to the Old Town School of Music's Folk & Roots Festival every year. It's a chance to groove to diverse music, indulge in yummy street fare and bring the kids along for a weekend of fun in Welles Park. Don't miss the bows flying at this year's Midwest Fiddle Championship!
Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th 12pm-9:30pm
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Kitchen Confidential:
 Our current Employee of the Month, former Employee of the Year, chef and resident cheese expert, Michele Glancey, loves to utilize a Chicago tradition while grilling on the Big Green Egg. She uses a "tall boy" of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer when cooking Beer Can Chicken to have plenty of clearance to use tongs to take the chicken on and off the grill. Plus, you can drink a third of the PBR while the chicken is cooking!
Don't miss Michele's upcoming classes:
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Stuff We're Into
Nothing says summer like eating Cubanos and Maduros on an outdoor patio. That's why we are so excited about Logan Square's new location of 90 Miles Cuban Café. On the corner of Armitage and Stave streets, this spinoff offers all of the offerings that made the original location on Clybourn so popular, plus a catering menu, with whole roasted pigs as an option.
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Dear Friends of The Chopping Block,
Warm weather has finally arrived… just in time to celebrate Independence Day. It's one of my favorite holidays because it’s a time to gather with family and friends around the BBQ. Our All American Grill class will get you in a patriotic mood with a classic menu that's sure to set off fireworks for your guests.
Our summer got off to a bang with the opening of our new Lincoln Square outdoor kitchen in June. The three-season tented patio features an outdoor pizza oven and two built-in grills (including a hybrid that can switch between gas and charcoal) from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. Now, we're going to let you play with our toys! For the first time ever, we will offer HANDS ON grilling classes beginning in August. You can get close to the fire as our chefs teach you techniques that will have you smoking and grilling like the pro’s. And if you really want to see a pro in action, check out our Master BBQ class with Craig "Memphis" Bell. But don't delay in signing up, his first two classes sold out!
Individual tickets for the Green City Market Annual Chef BBQ on July 16th are already sold out but group tickets are still available. I'll be there cooking up Grilled Flatbread with Local Goat Cheese, Onion, Herbs and Bacon so be sure to stop by for a taste and to say hi! I'll also be demonstrating quick pickling at the Green City Market at 10:30am on Saturday, July 18. Watch me create Bread & Butter Pickles and Pickled Fruit from the market. Pickled fruit can add a fresh splash to summer entertaining: it’s great with cheese trays or served with grilled meats.
We hope that you join us as we cook our way through a busy summer!
Happy Cooking!
Shelley Young, Founder
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20% Off Everything Sale
Have you been eyeing a Global knife or All Clad pan but haven't been able to justify the purchase in this economy? Take advantage of our month-long sale! We are so excited for Lincoln Square’s annual Block Party and Sidewalk Sale featuring great bargains that we just can’t wait until the middle of the month. So, we’re knocking 20% off all retail items at both Chopping Block locations for the entire month of July. Big Green Egg Grills & Smokers are excluded from the sale. Stop in now and save! |
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An Evening with Stephanie Izard
 Top Chef Stephanie Izard is ready to give you a taste of her future. Since Izard took top prize in season five of the popular show, Chicago has been waiting in anticipation of her new restaurant, The Drunken Goat, to open its doors. Now, you can get a sneak preview, compliments of The Chopping Block. Join us for an evening with Stephanie as she prepares signature dishes from her new menu with wine pairings. Click here to sign up.
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Cooking for a Cause
The Chopping Block is helping fight for a cure! This year, Shelley will be doing the three-day Breast Cancer walk along with her mother, Irene, who is a survivor who continues to fight like a champion. To help raise money for the walk, we are hosting a grilling party featuring some of Shelley’s favorite dishes including Fire Cracked Mussels with Sesame Ginger Glaze and Blueberry Crisp with Hand-Churned Ice Cream. Proceeds of this class will benefit the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Click here to sign up! |
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Patio Party
 We are moving the party outdoors! The Chopping Block is creating our own beer garden by holding some of our favorite classes featuring summer beverages on our patio at Lincoln Square. Goose Island Brewmaster Greg Hall kicks it off with a summer beer tasting this Friday while Wine Goddess Diana Hamann gives a tutorial on what the "nose" of a wine can tell you. Don't miss our popular Beer Garden Grill class, where you can enjoy tasty summertime grilled fare with beer in hand.
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Meals with Meaning
 The Chopping Block is pleased to announce our newest teambuilding program designed for groups who want to give back to the community while developing a stronger, more cohesive team. Meals with Meaning is a partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository where your team experiences a hands-on, interactive cooking lesson with all of the food going to feed the hungry. Your culinary creations will be transported to local soup kitchens that feed over 200 people every night. Learn how to work better as a team as you cook together to help others. It’s feel-good fun! Click here to request information about Meals with Meaning.
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In Season:
 Bright red fruits are popping up at the farmers' markets. Cherries & raspberries are in peak season now and add deliciousness to desserts, but they also bring a spark to savory dishes. Spice up pork by adding some Michigan sour cherries, or try using raspberries in your salad dressings for a sweet tang.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Cherry Chutney
Arugula, Watercress & Goat Cheese Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette |
www.thechoppingblock.net |
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