Cara Blackledge joined The Chopping Block team as an Events and Outreach Coordinator after being in Chicago for only 8 months. Being from the south, her cooking style is very much southern. But with a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure, she is continuously learning ways to make healthier meals while keeping that delicious southern flavor. Her set of Chicago friends enjoy throwing her in the kitchen for house gatherings. While cooking isn’t her favorite pastime, it is something she enjoys and does at least twice a week. But being new to the city, Cara has set a mission to try at least 4 new restaurants a month. When not in exploring her new city, she travels back to New Orleans and Alabama to visit family and friends, but she enjoys traveling in general. She says new experiences are necessary for her sanity.