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Is your teen ready to take their culinary skills to the next level? We have two different Teen Boot Camps to challenge your young chefs!
The Chopping Block has always been a leader in cooking and baking programs for teens but this summer, our new programming focuses on teaching the cuisines of the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago (Chicago Neighborhoods Tour). Get ready to exposure your young cook to new flavors and foods as well as important cooking techniques.
We also have a brand new camp designed for older teens about to embark on life on their own. This intensive Next Level Teen Boot Camp teaches essential life skills that your young adult will need now and for the rest of their lives. You will give your teen the gift of confidence in the kitchen with this new program!
Our Teen Camps are recommended, but not required as prerequisites for these programs. Students will work in groups. All Teen Boot Camps will be held at Lincoln Square and have a 3-day cancellation policy.
Next Level Teen Boot Camp
Is your teen leaving for college or otherwise ready to take that next step towards independence? Then this week-long Boot Camp, created for teens ages 17 to 19, is a must. Specifically designed for teens that will be cooking for themselves, the recipes have been crafted to be approachable with easy to find ingredients, realistic for busy lives, cost effective for the young adult and nutritionally well balanced. Each day will focus on skills and techniques that can be accomplished with basic kitchen tools and cookware, setting your teen up for a successful and fun journey into the world of everyday cooking. We will end the week with a mystery competition where groups will be given a surprise menu to execute in the allotted time utilizing the skills from the week. They will focus on teamwork, timing, communication and fun!
Day 1: Knife Skills and Vegetables
- Knife Skills Lesson
- Taco Salad with Crispy Chorizo, Chili-Spiced Grilled Zucchini, Roasted Peppers and Avocados
- Vegetable and Tofu Stir Fry with Steamed Jasmine Rice
- Caprese Panini with Caramelized Onions, Tomatoes, Basil and Mozzarella
- Sweet Corn Fritters with Chipotle-Ranch Dipping Sauce
- Loaded Baked Potato Chowder with Bacon and Scallions
Day 2: Breakfast and Brunch
- Shakshuka with Herb and Garlic Flatbread
- Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwiches with Crispy Fried Chicken and Fried Egg
- Breakfast Burritos with Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns, Crispy Bacon and Cheese
- Banana Bread French Toast
- Crêpes with Macerated Summer Fruit
Day 3: Main Courses and Side Dishes
- Shrimp Fried Rice with Carrots and Peas
- Broiled Miso-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Sesame Broccoli
- Chicken Piccata with Lemon Pan Sauce and Parmesan and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Grilled Steak Caesar Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Romaine and Homemade Croutons
- Cheese Burgers with All the Fixings
- Turkey Chili with Green Chili-Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
Day 4: Baking and Pastry
- Chocolate Smores Brownies
- Individual Key Lime Pies with Graham Cracker Crust
- Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Individual Trifles with Lemon Pudding, Vanilla Cake and Blueberries
- Cheese and Fresh Berry Danishes with Puff Pastry
- Sheet Pan Pizza with Tomato Sauce
Day 5: Pasta & Gnocchi Workshop and Mystery Competition
- Potato Gnocchi with Alfredo Cream Sauce
- Ricotta Ravioli with Basil Pesto
- Mystery Competition: Each group will be given a surprise menu to execute in the allotted time utilizing the skills from the week. They will focus on teamwork, timing, communication and fun!
This camp is being held:
Teen Boot Camp: Chicago Neighborhoods Tour
Is your teen ready to take their culinary skills to the next level? In this week-long 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, measuring, meat and vegetable cookery, working with seasonal produce, making dough and baking. Additionally, they will understand the hows and whys of cooking, preparing them for a future of confidence in the kitchen.
Day 1: Little Italy
- Minestrone with White Beans, Greens and Zucchini
- Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza
- Ricotta-Spinach Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce
- Homemade Fettuccine with Bolognese (Tomato-Meat Sauce)
- Chicken Saltimbocca with Fresh Herb Risotto
- Individual Strawberry Tiramisu
Day 2: Greektown
- Spanakopita (Spinach and Feta Phyllo Triangles)
- Gyros Meatballs with Tomato Relish, Pita and Tzatziki Sauce
- Zucchini-Dill Fritters (Kolokithokeftedes) with Roasted Pepper-Tahini Dipping Sauce
- Grilled Lemony Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Grilled Vegetable Orzo and Herb Salad
- Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna with Tomato Sauce and Béchamel)
- Greek Donuts (Loukoumades) with Lemon-Honey Syrup
Day 3: Chinatown
- Shrimp Wonton Soup
- Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein
- Orange-Sesame Chicken
- Vegetable and Tofu Fried Rice
- Homemade Scallion Pancakes with Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce
- Pork and Vegetable Crispy Fried Eggrolls
- Mango Pudding Cups
Day 4: Devon Street
- Potato-Filled Samosas with Coconut-Cilantro Chutney
- Falafel Salad with Crispy Pita Chips and Lemon-Tahini Dressing
- Butter Chicken with Raita Sauce and Spiced Rice
- Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry) with Roasted Garlic-Herb Naan
- Spiced Beef Lebanese Hand Pies (Sfeehas)
- Cardamom-Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Day 5: Pilsen
- Chicken-Tortilla Soup
- Shrimp Ceviche with Mango, Jicama and Cilantro with Tortilla Chips
- Refried Bean and Cheese Tostadas with Guacamole and Pico de Gallo
- Grilled Vegetable Enchiladas with Salsa Roja and Mexican Rice
- Crispy Baja Fish Tacos with Corn Relish, Chipotle Mayo and Queso Fresco
- Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Frosting
This camp is being held:
