Kids' and Teens Cooking Classes 

We place more emphasis on food in our families these days. We want to know where our food is coming from, we know we should be able to pronounce each ingredient on the nutritional label and frozen dinners just don't cut it anymore. More parents are realizing that teaching their kids to cook helps prepare them for the future. Enrolling your child in a kid or teen cooking class or camp at The Chopping Block bring them one step closer.

Each kids' and teens' cooking class or camp includes a hands-on lesson on ingredients, sanitation, organization and cooking techniques.

If you have a teen who is ready to take their culinary skills to the next level, consider our Teen Boot Camp.

All Kids & Teen Camps will be held at Lincoln Square for the summer of 2021.

Kids & Teen Summer Camps

Kids

We welcome kids ages 7 to 11 to join us for a five-day mini-camp featuring baking and pastry techniques around the world. We will focus on following recipes, proper measuring, classic techniques, working cleanly and safely in the kitchen, and exploring new foods. Class size is limited to just 8 students for a more personalized experience. 

Kids Camp: Baking Around the World

• Monday, June 14 - Friday, June 18 9am-12pm Register Here
• Monday, June 14 - Friday, June 18 1:30pm-4:30pm Register Here 
• Monday, August 9 - Friday, August 13 9am-12pm Register Here
• Monday, August 9 - Friday, August 13 1:30pm-4:30pm Register Here

Day 1: Americana

• Individual Apple Pies
• Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
• Cheesecake Bars with Gingersnap Crust

Day 2: France

• Profiteroles with Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
• Chocolate Pot de Crème with Whipped Cream
• Cinnamon-Sugar Palmiers

Day 3: Italy

• Strawberry Tiramisu
• Chocolate Biscotti
• Zeppole (Deep Fried Ricotta-Lemon Fritters)

Day 4: Mexico

• Chocoflan (Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Flan)
• Tres Leches Cake with Fresh Fruit
• Mexican Wedding Cakes (Powdered Sugar-Dusted Cookies)

Day 5: Asia

• Sesame Cookies
• Mango-Ginger Bread Pudding
• Chocolate-Coconut Truffles

Kids Camp: Summer in the City

• Monday, July 12 -  Friday, July 16 9am-11:30am Register Here
• Monday, July 12 - Friday, July 16 1pm-3:30pm Register Here

Day 1: Picnic in the Park

• Grilled Chicken BLT Wraps with Fresh Herb Aioli
• Greek Orzo Summer Salad
• Blueberry-Lemon Oat Crumble Bars    

Day 2: Fun at the Fair

• Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chive-Lemon Butter
• Greek Beef and Pepper Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce
• Cream Puffs (Profiteroles Filled with Whipped Cream)

Day 3: Day at the Beach

• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Smoked Turkey and Gouda Cheese Panini
• Macerated Summer Fruit-Yogurt Parfaits with Graham Cracker Crumble

Day 4: Backyard BBQ

• Bacon-Avocado Burgers with Cheddar Cheese
• Creamy Potato Salad with Fresh Dill
• S’mores Brownies

Day 5: Taste of Chicago

• BBQ Ribs
• Four Cheese Mac-n-Cheese
• Corn Fritters
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Teens

We welcome kids ages 12 to 16 to join us for a five-day mini-camp, featuring simple-yet- sophisticated desserts that can easily be recreated at home. We will focus on classic and modern techniques, proper measuring, organization, working cleanly and safely in the kitchen and creativity. Class size is limited to just 8 students for a more personalized experience.

Teen Camp: Baking and Pastry

• Monday, June 28 - Friday, July 2 9am-12pm Register Here
• Monday, August 2 - Friday, August 6 9am-12pm Register Here
• Monday, August 2 - Friday, August 6 1:30pm-4:30pm Register Here
• Monday, August 30 - Friday, September 3 9am-12pm Register Here

Day 1: Quick Breads

• Quiche Lorraine (Bacon and Gruyere Cheese)
• Chocolate Chip Scones
• Lemon Pound Cake

Day 2: French Pastry Techniques

• Raspberry Macarons
• Chocolate Pot de Crème with Whipped Cream
• Blueberry Clafoutis with Powdered Sugar

Day 3: Yeast Dough and Fritters

• Homemade Soft Pretzels with Honey Mustard
• Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Sugar

Day 4: Cakes, Cookies and Bars

• Chocolate Cupcakes with Ganache Centers and Roasted Banana Buttercream
• Oatmeal Cream Pies with Vanilla Cream Filling
• Raspberry Swirl Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Graham Cracker Crust

Day 5: Fruit Desserts

• Pop Tarts with Homemade Strawberry Jam and Vanilla Glaze
• Fresh Fruit Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream
• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Teen Camp: Outdoor Grilling

• Monday, June 28 - Friday, July 2 2pm-4:30pm Register Here
• Monday, August 30 - Friday, September 3 2pm-4:30pm Register Here

Day One: Backyard BBQ

• Sweet and Spicy Barbecued Chicken
• Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lemon-Dill Butter
• New Potato Salad with Ranch Dressing
• Cast Iron Baked Brownies

Day Two: Grilling Fiesta

• Grilled Avocado and Cilantro Guacamole
• Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas with Peppers, Onions and Grilled Tomatillo Salsa
• Grilled Cumin-Spiced Sweet Potatoes
• Grilled Pineapple with Citrus Caramel Drizzle

Day Three: Pool Party

• BLAT Burgers (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado and Tomatoes)
• Grilled Pizza with Seasonal Vegetables and Mozzarella Cheese
• Smoked Honey-Sriracha Wings
• “Campfire” S’mores

Day Four: Global Grilling

• Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps with Asian Pears and Sesame Seeds
• Cedar Planked Salmon with Miso Butter and Grilled Broccoli
• Jerk-Spiced Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Salsa

Day Five: The Italian Grill

• Grilled Caesar Salad
• Grilled Meatball Sandwiches with Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce
• Grilled Asparagus with Shaved Parmesan
• Grilled Seasonal Stone Fruit Sundaes

Teen Camp: Global Cuisine

• Monday, July 5 - Friday, July 9 9am-11:30am Register Here
• Monday, July 5 - Friday, July 9 1pm-3:30pm Register Here

Day 1: South America

• Pao De Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Puffs)
• Chivito (Grilled Steak, Egg and Cheese Sandwich)
• Cumin Roasted Potatoes
• Tropical Fruit-Filled Empanadas

Day 2: Italy

• Caprese Salad (Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil) with Balsamic Glaze
• Italian Sausage-Filled Homemade Ravioli with Pesto Cream Sauce
• Macerated Summer Berries with Zabaglione

Day 3: France

• Frisée Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese and Mustard Vinaigrette
• 40 Clove Garlic Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans
• Lemon Soufflé

Day 4: Japan

• Spicy Edamame
• Homemade Sushi: Maki and California Rolls
• Ginger Pot de Crème

Day 5: Mexico

• Chorizo Queso Fundido with Tortilla Chips
• Roasted Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
• Grilled Corn Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Avocados 
• Choco-Flan (Chocolate-Flan Cake)

Teen Camp: Summer in the City

• Monday, August 23 - Friday, August 27 9am-11:30am Register Here

Day 1: Millennium Park Picnic

• Fried Chicken
• Creamy Cabbage Slaw
• Cheddar-Cornbread Muffins
• Lemon Bars with Oat Crumble

Day 2: Taste of Chicago

• Elotes (Grilled Corn with Parmesan Cheese and Lime)
• Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage and Mushrooms
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream

Day 3: North Avenue Beach Party

• Tomato Salsa with Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Black Bean and Cheese Crunchwraps
• Tres Leches Cake with Strawberries

Day 4: Lakeside BBQ

• Caprese Salad Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle
• BLT Burgers
• Roasted Campfire Potatoes
• S’mores Cookie Bar

Day Five: Backyard Pool Party

• Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches with Roasted Tomato Sauce
• Grilled Vegetable Pasta Primavera with Pesto
• Peach-Blueberry Crisp

Want a printable version of our camps? Click here.

Teen Boot Camp

Is your teen Is your teen ready to take their culinary skills to the next level? In our week-long Teen Boot Camp, The Chopping Block’s seasoned chefs will teach teens, ages 12 to 16, essential cooking techniques and share kitchen wisdom that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Students will become proficient at making sauces, knife skills, meat and vegetable cookery, making dough and baking. Additionally, they will understand the hows and whys of cooking, preparing them for a future of confidence in the kitchen.

 *Please note our kitchens are not a gluten or nut-free environment.