Shelley has been teaching people to cook since she opened The Chopping Block in 1997. She spent 17 years as a professional chef, working in busy restaurants and private homes but realized her calling was to get other people to cook. Shelley’s unique concept of a recreational cooking school, gourmet kitchen store and private event business provides Chicago with over 300 cooking classes and private events each month. Shelley loves to garden and entertain for family and friends in her Lincoln Square home.
Recent Posts
Sundays at Moosewood
I am often asked the following questions: What is your favorite dish to cook? How did you start The Chopping Block? What is your favorite restaurant? What is your top cooking show? All of these ...
When it’s my turn to make desserts, my go-to are usually pies, crisps and cobblers. For me, these desserts are much easier to prepare, probably because they are more formula-driven than recipe-driven ...
If you have you never tasted a butternut squash pie, it might be hard to imagine that it is even better than a pumpkin pie. I am not saying that pumpkin pie isn’t delicious, and I know it is ...
I always look forward to the change of season to Autumn. The crisp cool air, rustling leaves in the wind and colorful foliage make me nostalgic. During this time, we move from summer grilling to the ...
Did you know that hamburgers are the most frequently sold menu item in the United States? So, it's no surprise that the second most popular item is French fries. What’s a burger without fries?! I ...
I started cooking seriously when I was about 10 years old. By the time I was 11, I made all the dinners for my family. People are astonished at this fact. I know the world is different now. Kids are ...
One of the most impossible questions I get asked as a chef is “What is your favorite thing to cook?” It's hard to answer because I rarely cook the exact same dish twice! The exception to this rule is ...
If you are in the Midwest, you might be wondering if spring will ever arrive. Every year it feels at odds that the biting cold of April will ever yield to the warm and sunny days of May. At least to ...
The two things that are always present in Fatteh are tahini-laced yogurt and crunchy pita chips. Fatteh is a layered dish a little bit like nachos: toasted pita chips topped with a savory topping ...
There is one thing most everyone I know has in common: they love potatoes! Fried potatoes, creamed potatoes, baked potatoes, steamed potatoes, mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, potato pancakes and ...
