The events at Green Grocer Chicago look so fun we couldn't just chose one to highlight. From different tastings every Tuesday and a walking club every Wednesday morning, to a raw food workshop this Saturday and a food and wine pairing class and book signing (by author/food & wine expert Robert Scarola) in late April, the line up of events at Green Grocer seem to have something to please everyone. While you're there you can do a little shopping; most items are organic and locally made and they carry everything from dog food to kombucha to lamb to baby food. Most of the classes are free but space is limited so you must RSVP. Check out their events calendar for more information. Green Grocer is located at 1402 W Grand Ave, 312-624-9508. more ›

We love avec so much that sometimes we dream about the food; our most recurring dream being the bacon-wrapped chorizo stuffed dates. So we immediately became intrigued with the class, "Favorite Restaurant Recipes Revealed" at The Chopping Block when we noticed the date recipe was included. The class is also a chance to learn how to make Asian squash dumplings from Urban Belly, fire-cracked mussels with harrisa butter from Tizi Melloul and vanilla cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B's. This is a demonstration class, so you won't actually be making them, but you will get to eat generous tastings of the food prepared. We're not sure how exact these recipes will be but if they get us a step closer to recreating those dream dates at home then we'll take it. more ›

We were watching Iron Chef America the other day (Battle Redfish!) and noticed someone using black garlic, which Alton Brown informed us was a rare treat in kitchen stadium. The judges were certainly excited when they tasted it. The Le Bernadin episode of this season's Top Chef New York also mentioned black garlic. And The Washington Post's Bonnie Benwick featured it as the new 'it' ingredient in her article on February 24th. So what's all the fuss about? What the heck is black garlic? more ›