We place more emphasis on food in our families these days. We want to know where our food is coming from, we know we should be able to pronounce each ingredient on the nutritional label, and frozen dinners just don't cut it anymore. More parents are realizing that teaching their kids to cook helps prepare them for the future. Enrolling your child in a kid or teen cooking class or camp at The Chopping Block brings them one step closer. Each kids' and teens' cooking class or camp includes a hands-on lesson on ingredients, sanitation, organization, and cooking techniques.
All Kids & Teen Camps are held at Lincoln Square. If you have a serious teen cook, we recommend our Teen Boot Camp classes.
Kids Camp: Baking around the World
We welcome kids ages 7 to 11 to join us for a five-day camp featuring baking and pastry techniques that can easily be recreated at home for friends and family. We will focus on following recipes, classic techniques, presentation, working cleanly and safely in the kitchen, and exploring new flavors. All recipes will be measured ahead of time so we can focus on the techniques, but proper measuring practices will be covered in class.
Day 1: Americana
- Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Hand Pies with Puff Pastry
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
- Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Gingersnap Crust
Day 2: France
- Crepes with Nutella and Strawberry Jam
- Chocolate Pot de Crème with Whipped Cream
- Lemon Tart with Raspberries
Day 3: Italy
- Individual Strawberry Tiramisu with Mascarpone Cream
- Molten Chocolate Budino Cakes
- Individual Plum Crostatas with Pie Dough
Day 4: Mexico
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate-Cinnamon Frosting
- Mango-Strawberry Empanadas with Citrus Caramel Drizzle
- Mexican Wedding Cakes (Powdered Sugar-Dusted Cookies)
Day 5: Asia
- Matcha-Sesame Cookies
- Mango-Ginger Jasmine Rice Pudding
- Dorayaki (Japanese Sweet Pancakes) with Pastry Cream
This camp is available:
- Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 9am-11:30am
- Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 1pm-3:30pm
- Monday, August 26 through Friday, August 30 9am-11:30am
Kids 3-Day Mini Camp: Baking around the World
We welcome kids ages 7 to 11 to join us for a three-day mini camp featuring baking and pastry techniques that can easily be recreated at home for friends and family. We will focus on following recipes, classic techniques, presentation, working cleanly and safely in the kitchen, and exploring new flavors. All recipes will be measured ahead of time so we can focus on the techniques, but proper measuring practices will be covered in class.
Day 1: France
- Crepes with Nutella and Strawberry Jam
- Chocolate Pot de Crème with Whipped Cream
- Lemon Tart with Raspberries
Day 2: Italy
- Individual Strawberry Tiramisu with Mascarpone Cream
- Molten Chocolate Budino Cakes
- Individual Plum Crostatas with Pie Dough
Day 3: Mexico
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate-Cinnamon Frosting
- Mango-Strawberry Empanadas with Citrus Caramel Drizzle
- Mexican Wedding Cakes (Powdered Sugar-Dusted Cookies)
This camp is available:
Teen 3-Day Mini Camp: Gluten Free & Vegetarian
We welcome teens ages 12 to 16 to join us for a three-day mini camp, featuring seasonal and delicious gluten-free and vegetarian recipes that can be easily recreated at home. We’ll focus on gluten and meat substitutes, proper measuring, knife skills, classic techniques, organization, working cleanly and safely in the kitchen, and creativity.
Day 1: Breakfast
- Individual Quiche with Sautéed Peppers, Onions and Cheddar Cheese
- Banana-Chocolate Chip Oat Pancakes with Maple Syrup
- Guacamole Toast with Poached Eggs
- Orange-Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Day 2: Lunch
- Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
- Red Lentil Dal with Yogurt Drizzle
- Tofu Chorizo Tacos with Black Bean and Grilled Corn Relish
- Individual Summer Fruit Crisp with Whipped Cream
Day 3: Dinner
- Potato Gnocchi with Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce
- Grilled Vegetable Enchiladas with Salsa Roja
- Quinoa-Chickpea Burgers with Parmesan-Sweet Potato Wedges
- Dark Chocolate Toffee Brownies
This camp is available:
Teen Camp: Baking and Pastry
We welcome kids ages 12 to 16 to join us for a five-day camp, featuring approachable-yet- sophisticated desserts that can easily be recreated at home. We will focus on classic and modern techniques, proper measuring, organization, presentation, working cleanly and safely in the kitchen and creativity.
Day 1: Pies and Tarts
- Frosted Strawberry Jam Hand Pies with Cream Cheese Pastry
- Passionfruit Meringue Tart with Hot Butter Pastry
- Individual Chocolate Custard Pies with Graham Cracker Crust and Whipped Cream
Day 2: Breakfast and Brunch
- Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Blueberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
- Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy
- Eggs and Cheese Crêpes
Day 3: French Pastry Techniques
- Raspberry Macarons
- Stone Fruit Galette
- Vanilla Crème Brûlée
- Chocolate Mousse
Day 4: Cookies and Cakes
- Individual Jelly Roll Cakes with Berries and Chantilly Cream
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Gooey Ganache Centers and Dulce de Leche Buttercream
Day 5: Fruit Desserts
- Berry Bomb Yeast Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Individual Peach Cobbler
- Blueberry and Lemon Oat Crumble Bars
This camp is available:
- Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28 1:30pm-4:30pm
- Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 9am-12pm
- Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 1:30pm-4:30pm
- Monday, August 12 through Friday, August 16 9am-12pm
- Monday, August 12 through Friday, August 16 1:30pm-4:30pm
Business Review
“The Chopping Block has long been regarded as one of the best places for novice chefs to learn how to cook. Their stellar reputation extends to their kids' camp program.” - Make It Better Magazine
