The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

The Whole Fish Trilogy: Books to Level-Up Your Seafood Game

I grew up in a small town in upstate New York that didn’t have much access to seafood in general, and I don’t think I’d be exaggerating to say virtually no access to truly good seafood at all. I ...

Five Cookbooks to Buy This Fall

In case you weren’t aware, I’m a cookbook addict. I can’t even tell you how many I own—all I can say is that they long out-grew my kitchen shelves. I just can’t help it. I love flipping through and ...

My Top Five Mexican Cookbooks

Whenever students ask me what my favorite regional cuisine is I always say that its impossible to choose a favorite because blah blah blah… but the real answer is Mexican food. Mexican food is ...

Top Ten Fancy Chef Books for the Fancy Cook in Your Life

If you’re one of those among us who celebrates one of the winter gift giving holidays that terminate near the end of December then by the time this post comes out you will technically still have some ...

Top Five Books for Aspiring Chefs

As a self-taught chef, I quite literally wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for food and cooking books. There are few resources as important in developing an understanding of the different cooking ...

The Chefs Who Have Cooked in our Mart Kitchens

I've been working for The Chopping Block for 20 of our 25 years in business. I've worked in each of our three locations in Chicago: Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square and the Merchandise Mart and for the ...

Woman of Black Excellence Writes Cookbook During Pandemic

In honor of Black History Month, when it comes to the world of food, we take the time to recognize those who made a mark in history ranging from inventors to chefs to restauranteurs to grocers. When ...

Want to Live to be 100? Cook the Right Foods

If you’re like me, your cookbooks are getting a workout during these stay-at-home days. I find it’s easier to keep busy and refrain from wallowing when engaged in physical tasks. Of course cooking ...

The Instant Pot is made for Indian Food

Anyone who knows me knows I'm kind of obsessed with my Instant Pot. There are a few foods that I will never make outside of the Instant Pot again such as hard-boiled eggs, pulled pork, lentils and ...

A Slice of Pie Goes a Long Way

The fall weather has finally hit Chicago and I don’t know about you, but I cheated and grabbed my first bit of pumpkin spice September 1st. And I fully admit it, it was a latte. At this point it’s ...