The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

Kate A

Kate is the General Manager of The Chopping Block. 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!

Still have Halloween Candy? Make these Cookie Bars

Halloween is over and chances are, you might have some (in my case, a ton) leftover candy to deal with! My days of hosting a big Halloween party are over, but my daughter, Scarlett, is now 20 months ...

Planning A Private Cooking Event for Your Next Corporate or Social Outing

Let’s face it, we’ve all received an invite to a corporate outing and opened it with dread. Team building is such a buzz word in the corporate world. People plan team building events in the hopes of ...

German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)

Is it apple season? Or pumpkin season? Or both? Some people have strong opinions on which fall flavor reigns supreme. I do love a pumpkin spice latte (I’ll admit that I’ve already enjoyed one this ...

Eat Your Way Through Western Michigan

Last summer my mom, my daughter, and I took a girls trip to New Buffalo, Michigan, about 75 miles from Chicago. We enjoyed our trip so much that we decided to make it an annual tradition, and I ...

BBQ Hanger Steak Pizza on the Grill

Although I’m mostly retired from recreational softball, that’s how I met my wonderful friends Adam and Celine Kaleta. In addition to being teammates, we also share a love of good food – that’s how ...

Pikliz: The Haitian Condiment You Need for Summer

May was Haitian Heritage month. My husband is Haitian, and I’m always looking to learn more about Haitian cuisine so I can pass that part of her heritage onto my daughter. I learned a long time ago ...

Plum and Basil Upside Down Cake

Finally, it’s plum season! Plums are typically in season May through October, but they are at their peak in June through August in the U.S. California grows the majority of domestic plums, but ...

Total Eclipse Moon Pies

Until my mom called me to tell me she was heading back to her hometown of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, to view the solar eclipse today (April 8th), because it’s located in the path of totality, I really ...

Birthday Cake Pancakes

Birthdays were always special in my house growing up. I managed to draw out the celebration and enjoyed the whole month rather than just one day! I got to choose what we had for dinner, and usually ...

Pigs in a Blank-et Spaces with We Are Never Ever Getting Back to Cheddar Chili Dip for Super Bowl

Love football? Love Taylor Swift? Either way, this one’s for you!

Recipes	Ingredients
Cooking Techniques	Cookbooks & Tools
Food News	Local Spots
Travel	Wine
Vegetarian	Gluten-Free
Kids	Baking & Pastry
Boot Camp	Retail

Kate A

Recent Posts

Still have Halloween Candy? Make these Cookie Bars

Planning A Private Cooking Event for Your Next Corporate or Social Outing

German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)

Eat Your Way Through Western Michigan

BBQ Hanger Steak Pizza on the Grill

Pikliz: The Haitian Condiment You Need for Summer

Plum and Basil Upside Down Cake

Total Eclipse Moon Pies

Birthday Cake Pancakes

Pigs in a Blank-et Spaces with We Are Never Ever Getting Back to Cheddar Chili Dip for Super Bowl

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