Say what you will about the Food Network’s culinary programming, we are still suckers for Iron Chef. We always welcome new, quality chefs who join the cast. Some of us have a mini-crush on last year’s new cast member, Chef Michael Symon - swoon. more ›

Brush up on your "elimination challenge" skills with a class in improvisational cooking at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location this Friday. From 6-8:30pm. Chef Abraham Conlon will be bringing in a secret basket of goodies and will "walk you through the creative and technical process of cooking without recipes." How exciting is that? You never know when you'll need these skills to beat this guy. Call to reserve a spot. more ›

This Sunday is Father's Day, remember? Nice work. Lucky for you, you've still got some options. Options that don't involve this. more ›

For Memorial Day, The Chopping Block is hosting a BBQ Bash at their Lincoln Square location. The bash is an "open-house-style cooking class and party" on their patio with all the proceedes going to veterans via the Disabled Patriot Fund, a not-for-profit that helps Illinois veterans wounded in Iraq or Afganistan. Cook and dine on slow-smoked BBQ pork, balsamic-glazed skirt steak, beer can chicken, three bean salad, blueberry pie a la mode and sip on (free) lemonade and Goose Island Beer. The classparty is from 12-3pm, sponsored by Goose Island, Paulina Market and Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet and is $75 per person. Yes, more than your typical back yard party but it's for a good, local cause. So do it. With a smile and hungry stomach. 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 ›

Award-winning food and drink writer Fiona Beckett will sign copies of her new book Food, Wine & Friends at the House of Glunz in Old Town this evening. The event runs from 5-7 p.m., and there will be a reception with wine and hors d'ouevres. Cost is $20 for the reception, $40 for the reception and a copy of the book. All you amateur sommeliers should be making a beeline to Sam's Wine & Spirits... more ›

we’re checking out the Chopping Block tomorrow night for a healthy cooking lesson. more ›

This week's theme: Cinco de Mayo. More specifically, the Anglicized version of Cinco de Mayo. Let's get on with it. Everyone Has An Opinion: In conjunction with National Hamburger Month, the folks at Yelp! have released a thoroughly underwhelming list of their top five places to get a burger in town. The site that brings together user reviews of all the "hidden gems, hot spots, and amazing small businesses you've never heard of or fanatically... more ›

Learn Something: Looking for a little culinary education in the coming week? Get your cheese and beer on at The Chopping Block in Lincoln Square on March 8. For an even forty bucks you get to meet Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall and learn all about artisan cheeses and gloriously strong stout. New Chef: Never been to Boka Restaurant? Or perhaps you've been but weren't all that impressed. Well, Giuseppe Tentori is the restaurant's... more ›

We always tend to think other people celebrate holidays like the Griswolds in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – a week-long shopping, eating and bickering extravaganza with extended family. But for many of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas end up being an afternoon or evening of time with the relatives, and that night we’re back in the city twiddling our thumbs. more ›

This week is National Wine Week. For those of us who refuse to heed the sage wisdom of George Thorogood and drink alone, here are some ways to enjoy a bottle of wine around town, guaranteed to fall within any budget and get you out exploring the city: In honor of National Wine Week, each day Smith & Wollensky is offering a tasting of ten wines for ten dollars, along with the price of lunch.... more ›

If it isn't the taxes or the Trixies, the insanity that is finding a parking spot in Lincoln Park eventually drives everyone away from this formerly cozy little enclave. more ›

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Chicagoist is salivating at the thought of turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes. Can't hardly wait! To bide our time we've been surfing the interweb for all things related to preparing Thanksgiving dinner... and don't worry.. cooking Thanksgiving dinner from scratch can seem like a frightening task, but if Chicagoist can do it without making the entire family sick then anyone can! more ›