If you are in the Midwest, you might be wondering if spring will ever arrive. Every year it feels at odds that the biting cold of April will ever yield to the warm and sunny days of May. At least to me, it feels winter has mostly taken over spring. Most of my friends love to get away from the cold during January and February, while I choose to get out of dodge in the spring, especially April. This year, I landed in sunny Tucson, Arizona ..read more

  Made popular by fine dining restaurants, microgreens are a great visual addition to almost any dish. The delicate little greens are basically the seedlings or earliest stages of edible vegetables and herbs. Similar to sprouts, they are grown specifically to be cultivated in the first few days or weeks of growth ..read more

  Sometimes we get requests for classes that are a little too niche for our general audience at The Chopping Block. So, when my team discussed a recent request for a “cooking for one” class, I volunteered to write a blog post on the topic since I am the only single person on our management team ..read more

    Making flavored simple syrups is such an amazing way to enhance your favorite drinks. Used cocktails, seltzers, teas, lemonades and everything in between, with only three ingredients, this ginger simple syrup could not be easier to make. Simple in the name could not be more accurate ..read more

  As a seasoned chef and bartender, I've had the pleasure of crafting and enjoying a myriad of cocktails, each with its own unique story and flavor profile. One of the most exciting aspects of mixology is the world of 'Dealer's Choice,' where the bartender takes the reins and surprises you with a personalized creation. This element of surprise adds an exhilarating dimension to your cocktail experience, offering a glimpse into the artistry and innovation behind the bar.  ..read more

  It has taken me a little over 34 years of living to visit LA. The reasons I could give for taking so long include the fact that it is thousands of miles away from most of the places I’ve lived, and that other cities just had more restaurants that I was interested in checking out (90% of the reason I choose to visit any given place), but the truth is that it was due in no small part to the anti-LA propaganda that people of my geographic and demographic background (East Coast elitist (not elite (no degree), just elitist) are subject to. This includes ideas like it's full of vapid try-har ..read more

  Until my mom called me to tell me she was heading back to her hometown of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, to view the solar eclipse today (April 8th), because it’s located in the path of totality, I really hadn’t given the solar eclipse much thought. As I did more reading though, I’ve learned it’s a pretty big deal ..read more

  Before I met my husband, I had never experienced the pleasure of enjoying Polish cuisine. I grew up in a Jewish household and enjoyed many traditional dishes like gefilte fish, kugel, matzoh ball soup and brisket, just to name a few. So, the first time I met Mike’s extended family and was treated to pierogi, stuffed cabbage rolls (golabki), kielbasa sausage and cucumber salad, I was hooked ..read more

  Last year, I visited friends in Iowa City as spring was breaking through the Midwest frost. On a hike, they pointed out patches of green clustered under large trees: ramps. Tons of them! The trendiest allium on the market, the one that sticks around for a hot sec, just long enough to get everyone excited enough to fork over $7 a bunch at the market, and then goes out of season. We foraged some, and my love affair with ramps was cemented ..read more

  As the winter chill reluctantly gives way to the gentle embrace of spring, our culinary cravings find themselves torn between the zesty freshness of lemon and the comforting allure of hearty meals ..read more