I have always loved the East Coast, specifically Cape Cod, where I would travel every summer. Some of my favorite moments back on the Cape are mostly food-related: fresh oysters, chowder, salt water ...
My girlfriend just recently moved from Detroit, Michigan to Columbia, South Carolina. Although green with lush countryside scenery, Columbia does not have much entertainment to offer and isn't much ...
I have never been to a crawfish boil, nor had I ever even tasted a crawfish until my recent Crawfish Boil class at The Chopping Block. I had no idea what I was getting into (in a good way.)
There is a distinct possibility that I am a little too obsessed with pork. In my tiny little Chicago apartment, I have a curing cave for making cured meats (mainly pork). I recently pulled out a ...
Rock the Rolls and Make Your Own Bread for Meatball Subs
I’m making meatball subs this week. You may think that meatball subs are strikingly similar to my sausage and peppers, but this is entirely different. This time, I also baked the rolls!
A Chef's Tour of the National Restaurant Show in Chicago
For the past 96 years, Chicago has hosted the National Restaurant Show, or NRA. Unfortunately, the four-day show is not open to the public, but it’s considered a sort of Disneyland for chefs and ...
Each time my parents come to visit Chicago, I try to outdo their last trip. I fill it with new tours and restaurants and all things Chicago – luckily our vast city has a ton to offer, and I can ...
One of my favorite classes to teach at The Chopping Block is Crawfish Boil because it means we are beginning the transition from spring to summer. It's also tons of fun! In this class, you’ll not ...
A couple of weeks ago, right about when the mercury hit 50 degrees, we rearranged our front window at The Chopping Block Lincoln Square to feature this display. I have never seen so many adults with ...
Here in Chicago, it is the time between spring and summer where winter still likes to make itself known. It is kind of cold outside and everyone is waiting, oh so patiently, for continuous warm ...
What do you think of when you read the phrase "delicious dessert"? Sugar, for sure. Chocolate, perhaps? Butter? How far down your mental list would you have to go before you thought of anything with ...
Everyone likes pizza. It’s one of those meals you can eat any time of the day. It can be enjoyed for dinner, a late night snack, lunch or even breakfast. There are no rules to pizza, other than to ...
My family and I don’t have the opportunity to travel very much, and when we do it’s usually in the Midwest. It’s a very cost effective way to get out of town (especially when we can stay with friends ...
“We eat with our eyes, not with our mouths,” my grandmother used to tell me, as I peered over the plastic-covered dining room table at the paprika-dusted deviled eggs, the poor man’s steak served ...
It may be because I live in Chicago, and this seems to be the longest winter ever this year, but after traveling to Los Angeles lately, I could not get enough of the sunshine and nature’s beauty. But ...
A Trip to South Florida: Good Rum and Cuban Sandwiches
My wife and I just got back from a vacation to South Florida. As per most vacations, it was far too short. But we did get to enjoy a few of my favorite delights: Cuban Sandwiches and a Dark and ...
Did y’all know that it’s Mother’s Day, like, next weekend?! It is! I totally swear. You’re probably all like, ‘dang, I was really hoping to buy my mom a car this year for Mom’s day, but I definitely ...
