Summer is a time of vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and an abundance of seasonal vegetables. It’s also a great time to get creative in the kitchen by converting some of your fast food favorites into better-for-you versions. Fast food and takeout meals are often a go-to for convenience, but they can sometimes lack the nutritional benefits we need. By incorporating summer vegetables into these meals, you can boost their nutritional value and build a fun and impressive dish that is sure to be a summertime crowd-pleaser ..read more

I have a confession to make. I am crazy about pickles! I can easily polish off a jar without much effort. Several years ago, after my local grocery store stopped selling one of my favorite brands of pickles, I realized how easy it is to make pickles at home. They are so much better than almost anything you can buy in a jar from the store ..read more

Culinary Boot Camp is a commitment. You spend 40 hours in our kitchens in one week (or five consecutive Saturdays) learning everything you need to transform you from a beginner or intermediate level home cook to someone who is more confident and successful in the kitchen. Most of our students attend solo, some come with their partners, others gather a group of friends, but I think it's most special when students make this class a family affair.  ..read more

  We're excited to introduce a brand-new series at The Chopping Block called "Tasting Table." Each month, one of our talented chef instructors will host a special culinary demonstration, sharing their expertise and favorite dishes with our guests. As we launch this new experience, I have the honor of presenting some of my favorite cuisine and techniques ..read more

  Pizza just might be the most recognizable, if not most popular, food in the world! The market for frozen pizza in the U.S. alone is nearly $7 billion dollars with hundreds of brands and styles across the states. When it comes to take-out, it is estimated that the number of pizza places worldwide is in the hundreds of thousands with Dominos coming in at over 20,000 locations around the globe. The first restaurant I worked in at the age of 14 was a pizza place, and it wouldn’t be the last ..read more

  Anyone who knows me, knows I love snacks. I also love recreating classic snacks from scratch. There’s something special about making wholesome food at home with simple ingredients, knowing exactly what’s in the things you’re eating. Goldfish were always something packed in my school lunch when I was a kid so they’re a little bit nostalgic to me. I have to say, these homemade varieties are way better than the store-bought ones. They’re extra cheesy, buttery, flaky and simply addictive ..read more

  Although I’m mostly retired from recreational softball, that’s how I met my wonderful friends Adam and Celine Kaleta. In addition to being teammates, we also share a love of good food – that’s how lots of great friendships are fueled, right ..read more

  Well, here we are again! Nobody asked for it, but here is another egg obsession blog. I am always in search of new and different ways to prepare eggs. I admit my daily go-to styles are scrambled or sunny side up, but I will eat eggs any and every way imaginable. Today, I am going off the beaten path to provide you with four new exciting ways to prepare eggs that you may or may not have heard of. Make sure to read all the way to the end for a shocking new recipe ..read more

  When my daughter heads back to college in the fall, she will be living in an apartment with three of her friends. Because she won’t have the convenience of walking over to the dining hall for her meals, she is taking time this summer to learn some basic cooking skills so she can cook well-balanced and healthy meals (I hope!) in her apartment kitchen during the school year ..read more

Summer is here! If you’re like me, you’re trying to put off installing your window units for as long as possible, and you’re searching desperately for any strategies that can support you in your avoidance. Lucky for me, it’s easy to beat the summer heat and make an entire three-course meal without turning on your oven, especially with the beautiful bounty of summer produce upon us ..read more