Who We Are

We have been teaching people in Chicago how to cook for over 26 years. The Chopping Block is a recreational cooking school that combines education and entertainment, as our staff provides each guest “The Chopping Block Experience.” From the greeting you receive when you walk in our store, to the music you hear, to the tools and equipment you use, to the menu you create, to the plate you eat on, to the products you shop for, we strive to provide the ultimate experience for our customers.

Our Story

The Chopping Block opened in a small cottage in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1997. Owner Shelley Young came up with the idea for a recreational cooking school and antique store while on a cross-country journey.
The Early Days

Shelley taught each class herself at first, but began to grow her staff and the retail store as she found that many customers needed assistance in selecting kitchen equipment.
Lincoln Square

The idea of a cooking school with a personal touch worked and in order to accommodate the growing demand for hands-on classes, The Chopping Block opened its second location in Lincoln Square in 2003.
Merchandise Mart

The original location moved to the Merchandise Mart in 2005, where an expansive 8000-square-foot space allowed The Chopping Block to accommodate Chicago’s growing interest in private cooking parties.
Today

The Chopping Block closed the Merchandise Mart location in 2022, after 17 years. We are focused on Lincoln Square and our virtual programming launched during the pandemic. Our mission remains to get the country to cook, and now we can do that for everyone - no matter where they may be!

Who We Are

Hungry For More?

Who We Are >

What We Do >

Join our Team >

Location

Awards

Recommended on

The Chopping Block accepts