Business Summary

The Chopping Block is Chicago’s premier recreational cooking school, operating since 1997 and located in Lincoln Square. As a privately held company founded by Shelley Young and currently owned by Lisa Counts, The Chopping Block offers an immersive culinary experience designed for individuals, groups, and corporate teams. With approximately 30 employees, the business combines culinary education with gourmet retail, making it a culinary destination for the local community and beyond.

Boasting award-winning programming, including recognition from the International Housewares Association and Best of Chicago accolades, The Chopping Block delivers high-quality, engaging cooking education. The business is affiliated with Crain's Chicago Business and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. Services are offered from a single physical location in Chicago, IL, and virtually across the U.S.

Contact information includes phone support at (773) 472-6700 and email at info@thechoppingblock.com. Social media presence spans Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Services and Offerings

Cooking Classes

• In-person hands-on and demonstration classes covering ethnic cuisines, techniques, and skills from beginner to advanced levels
• Specialty classes in grilling, knife skills, baking, and sushi
• Registration available through Occasion-powered Class Calendar

Culinary Boot Camps

• 40-hour program covering core culinary principles such as knife skills, sauces, meat and vegetable preparation, and desserts
• A professional culinary school curriculum that has been adapted for home cooks to give them confidence in the kitchen

Corporate & Team Building Events

• Interactive cooking experiences and challenges
• Tailored to support collaboration, communication, and morale-building among teams
• Options for wine and cocktail parties included

Private Cooking Events

• Suitable for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, showers, rehearsal dinners, and family gatherings
• Customizable for 6 to 50 participants
• Features professional instruction, customized menus, and printed recipes

Wine & Cocktail Classes

• Guided by expert sommeliers and mixologists
• Includes hands-on and demonstration-based cocktail education
• Available for private social and corporate events

Kids & Teen Classes and Camps

• Kids Camps (ages 7–12): focus on baking, pastries, and regional cuisine
• Teen Camps (ages 13–17): focus on fundamentals, safety, and cooking techniques
• Emphasis on sanitation, ingredients, and technique
• Teen Boot Camps offered for young chefs already at a higher level of skill

Virtual Private Events

• Virtual cook-alongs, demonstrations, and sips & snacks-style parties
• Capacity of up to 300 demo screens or 100 interactive cook-along screens
  
  

Target Audience and Geography

• Individual home cooks from novice to expert
• Families, corporate teams, social groups
• Kids and teens from ages 7 to 17
• Services available in-person in Chicago and virtually nationwide

Deliverables & Duration

• Recipes, skills, and memorable cooking experiences

• Cooking classes and private events: 2–2.5 hours

• Boot Camps: 5 consecutive days or five Saturdays

Pricing & Payment

• Class pricing ranges based on menu but starts at $95/person
• Private event pricing starts at $1,700 with variations based on menus and drinks
• Accepts credit cards and gift cards

Technology & Scheduling

• Class Calendar powered by Occasion for easy registration
• Virtual events delivered via Zoom