The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

Kate S

Kate is the General Manager of The Chopping Block at the Merchandise Mart. Originally from the East Coast, she moved to Chicago 8 years ago and loves the strong food culture of the city. She loves entertaining for friends, trying new restaurants, and cooking (of course). Her friends know not to eat until she's snapped a picture of any dish! She credits her mom and grandmothers for getting her interested in cooking at an early age. Her most utilized tool in the kitchen is the recipe book her late grandmother left her. Kate also enjoys traveling and is on a mission to visit each baseball stadium in America, but even then she's really there to sample the local food!

Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

I know I’ve divulged some of my mom’s secrets including her turkey soup and braised short ribs with chili biscuits in past blogs, and while those are both really delicious, I’m finally breaking down ...

Short Ribs and Chili Biscuits – A Delicious Winter Meal

It’s finally gotten cold in Chicago which means it’s the perfect time for whipping out that Dutch oven and braising something delicious! On a recent day off, I called my mom to ask for her recipe ...

Bourbon Spiked Sweet Potato Pie

While I do love a good pumpkin spice latte, I’ve never really gotten on board with loving pumpkin pie (though I’ll admit, The Chopping Block’s is delicious!). Truthfully, I’ve never roasted my own ...

Went to Memphis for the BBQ, Stayed For The Fried Chicken

I’ve always associated Memphis with barbeque, and I love barbecue, so naturally when I found a roundtrip plane ticket for $89, I had the perfect excuse for another food adventure. Our first stop was ...

Homemade Bao for a Dim Sum Win

I love the idea of sharing small plates when it coming to dining because it allows for such great variety to be enjoyed. I also think small plates always seem to make the meal more fun! I feel like ...

Passport to Italy

Italy is one of those places you can’t help but love. You’re guaranteed a good meal nearly anywhere, anytime, in every region. My love of Italy started on a trip during middle school, so I knew when ...

The Art of the Croissant

Every year, I take the week of my birthday off to travel. I then spend the next 358 days getting excited for the next trip. I say this every year, but the trip this year my favorite. We spent 4 days ...

Cheers to 20 Years at The Chopping Block

It was April 4, 1997. Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down by Puff Daddy featuring Mase was the Billboard top song, the Cubs lost (5-4) to the Braves while playing the first game ever played at Turner Field ...

Beignets: The Ultimate Donut

Donuts are good, but let’s face it, when it comes to food, New Orleans knows best, and beignets are the ultimate donut in my opinion. If you’ve been to New Orleans (perhaps for yesterday's Mardi ...

Macaron Mania

They’re petite, delicate, colorful and come in endless varieties that melt in your mouth. Yes, I’m talking about macarons! Macarons seem to make any occasion more special, and we’ve certainly found ...