The Chopping Block
222 Merchandise Mart
Ste. 107
Chicago, IL 60654

The Chopping Block is Chicago’s premier culinary center offering custom interactive private food and wine events, hundreds of recreational cooking classes, and a gourmet retail and wine shop. If your wish is to entertain VIP clients, friends, or family; to network within your industry or social club; to get out of the office for your next quarterly meeting; or to bond with your team we can facilitate.

Total Capacity of Venue: 300 and 100, at the Merchandise Mart and Lincoln Square respectively.

Total Capacity and Names of Group Rooms (if applicable):

1. Saffron: 175 reception, 60 for meeting, 60 for interactive cooking or wine
2. Basil: 100 reception, 22 meeting, 70 interactive cooking
3. Currant: 40 reception, 12 meeting, 20 interactive cooking
4. Thyme: 50 reception, 35 interactive cooking
5. Eggplant: 50 reception, 15 interactive cooking
6. Outdoor Patio: 50 Reception, 30 interactive cooking

Total Capacity of Venue:
100

c: Contact our Sales Department  – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting us

Bespoke Cuisine Interactive Cooking Parties
 
Bespoke Cuisine is the city’s top destination for interactive cooking parties. Creating a delicious meal together is the best way to bring people together – to celebrate achievements, foster team work, enhance communication, or entertain clients. It’s a unique culinary experience that guests will remember.

We also offer upmarket catering for events at your office, home or alterative venue, as well as dinners, cocktail parties and meetings in our loft-like private event space in the convenient West Loop.

Bespoke is a traditional English word for “made to order” and at Bespoke Cuisine, our boutique culinary operation offers delicious food, stellar service, and personalized attention during the entire event planning process.

c: Jeannie Lukow – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting me

Lettuce Private Dining and Interactive Events

Choose from a unique array of fun, interactive event ideas including hands-on cooking classes, beer tasting events, and options to combine dining and the arts in extraordinary ways.

Cooking Class at Scoozi!

Entertain your guests in Scoozi’s semi-private dining room while enjoying wonderful Italian wines and learning the fine art of regional Italian cooking. Your guests will experience the timeless spirit of Italy from the moment they arrive. Scoozi’s experienced staff will personally instruct each guest how to combine fresh ingredients to make a delicious 4-course meal. Discover the passion it takes to create classic Italian fare.
 
Clambake at Shaw’s Schaumburg

Join the chef’s discussion on the history and origin of the traditional clambake. Participate in the preparation and enjoy the one-pot-wonder

Chef’s Italian Dinner Party at Osteria Via Stato

Experience Italy “Osteria Via Stato-style” and celebrate the bounty of the seasons with Chef David DiGregorio. Following a reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and sparkling prosecco, the dinner party will include a four-course menu of seasonal dishes from the chef. Dinner is accompanied by Chef David’s presentation about the history of Osteria Via Stato, its farmers and producers, as well as information on how to best utilize Chicago’s farmer’s markets. 

Paella Demo at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Invite your guests to Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! to participate in the unique experience of paella making. Your guests can learn how to prepare the traditional Spanish dish and even roll up their sleeves and help the chefs, should they choose. Guests will also be able to make and enjoy an assortment of refreshing sangrias. 

Sushi Demonstration at Shaw’s

If you’ve ever wondered how to make sushi, Shaw’s presents an opportunity to learn the art form from their expert sushi chefs. The chefs will demonstrate techniques as they prepare and present sushi for your guests. This demonstration can be paired with a cocktail reception or seated dinner. 

Farmer’s Market with Chef David at Osteria Via Stato

Explore Chicago’s farmer’s markets with Executive Chef David DiGregorio, in the comfort and warmth of Osteria Via Stato. Chef David will lead your guests through a progressive Italian feast, prepared with the freshest produce and meats from the morning’s market. Chef David will discuss such topics as the best markets in Chicago, how to shop at a farmer’s market and the importance of seasonality in cooking. 

Hot Pot Café at Ben Pao

Hot Pot Café features a separate dining area for guests to enjoy a dining experience with origins dating back to 400 AD in northern China. The Hot Pot feast, called weilu, means to surround the pot, symbolizing family unity and togetherness. It is a cozy yet informal style, where you leisurely dip meats and vegetables into boiling broth with a wire mesh basket. The wide range of flavorful dipping sauces adds versatility to your dining experience.

Beer Making at Brasserie Jo

Learn how to taste and evaluate beers and meads during a brewing instruction at Brasserie Jo. Once guests have an understanding of brewing ingredients and how they affect beer, they will brew 5 vats of various types of ales. The beer will be shipped to you for you to enjoy after the brew has fermented. Following the brewing, guests will enjoy a 3-4 course dinner paired with our own handcrafted beers. 

Beer Tasting at Brasserie Jo

Taste a selection of 14 handcrafted draft beers while enjoying hearty Alsatian hors d’oeuvres. Guests will also learn the art of crafting different types of beer. 

Contact Maureen Larson of Lettuce Private Dining for your next interactive cooking

Parties That Cook
1500 Lake Shore Drive
Suite 7A
Chicago, IL 60610

Parties That Cook® is the nation’s premier corporate team building cooking events company. Cook up camaraderie among colleagues with a hands-on cooking class party, where you’ll strap on an apron and work together to create an exciting gourmet meal. After the cooking class is done, relax and let us serve you while you celebrate the team’s achievements. Parties That Cook’s “deliciously fun” cooking classes and corporate team building events have been featured in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times & Gourmet Magazine. Call today to book your next corporate team building event or cooking class party!

c: For more information on our interactive cooking parties, contact us – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting us

Wine Challenge at Scoozi!

Pair wine tasting and trivia games in the same fun-filled evening. This dining event features wine stations with a selection of wine at each table. A friendly, talented wine guide will help educate guests on each wine’s cultural and regional influences as well as recognizing the aromatic and flavor profiles and pairing with food. Guests will later be challenged by a spirited game of wine trivia based on the wines previously tasted.  Prizes will be awarded based on a guest’s display of their wine knowledge. This no-stress approach to wine appreciation is almost as fun as drinking the wine!  We ensure everyone’s a winner in the Scoozi Wine Challenge. 

Shaken & Stirred at Scoozi!

A great cocktail tastes better when you know how to make it. The Shaken & Stirred Series will awaken the inner bartender in you and your guests. Each session will be focused on a theme. Different tables will each feature a different cocktail. A Scoozi mixologist will guide you through the creation of the cocktail from beginning to end. Each drink demonstration will include insight and answers on liquor lore, garnishing and presentation. A menu will be customized to complement your cocktail selections. 

Wine Tasting at Scoozi!

Journey with us as we explore the countryside vineyards of Italy and the United States. Taste and experiment a diverse range of wine types, styles and regions. Our experienced staff will personally guide guests throughout the tasting and offer insights and suggestions for food and wine pairings. Each guest will receive a passport that will include information on the wines and pairing recommendations. Classic Italian fare will complete the wine tasting experience. 

Petterino’s Wine Tasting and Education

Dan Hickey’s wine education can be conducted during a cocktail reception or as entertainment during the event.

Managing Your Break-up with Pinot Grigio: A playful examination of one’s relationship with Pinot Grigio and an exploration of other white wine choices suited to individual tastes.
Do I Smell Gooseberry? A study of Sauvignon Blancs from Around the World:  Learn about the ever popular Sauvignon Blancs from around the world through comparing and contrasting exercises.

Riesling to the Rescue: An exploration of different types of Riesling and why it quenches the thirst.

Help me with BYOB: How to Choose a Great Bottle for that next outing without breaking your budget or taste buds:  A discussion of inexpensive, readily available wines that will impress hostesses and guests alike.
Settling In: The Autumnal Warmth of Alsatian Wines:  Exposing the Comfort of Alsatian Gewürztraminer. (This event is best for Fall or Holiday parties)  

Blending the Perfect Glass Brasserie Jo

Have you ever wondered what goes into making the perfect blend of wines? The balance, the flavors, how well it pairs with your favorite dish? With Brasserie Jo’s sommelier’s direction, your guests will take different grapes of Bordeaux and other varietals to blend their own perfect glass of vin! 

A Little Bit of Both at Brasserie Jo

Experience the food, style and environment of a French brasserie while learning about traditional French wines and our 19 handcrafted beers. Enjoy a guest speaker discussing the menu you have designed and the wines or beers that are paired with it by our in-house sommelier.

Contact Maureen Larson from Lettuce Private Dining for your next interactive cooking

The highly anticipated banquet room at Sunda is NOW OPEN for last-minute holiday luncheons, dinner events or for a private party, corporate events, wedding rehearsal dinners, and groups and parties of all sizes. We are also booking events and meetings for 2010. Call me for a quick proposal… I can accommodate you!!

DATES STILL AVAILABLE AT ALL OF OUR VENUES:

The Underground: Private venue for 50 – 200 guests on Dec 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22 still available. Beverages and passed appetizers starting at $50* per person!

Rockit Bar and Grill River North: Private and non-rrivate Parties for 25 – 250 guests on Dec 14, 15, 21, 22 still available. Beverage and passed appetizers starting at $45* per person!

Rockit Bar and Grill Wrigleyville: Private parties for 50 – 90 guests on Dec 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 still available. Beverage and passed appetizers starting at $40* per person!

Sunda Banquet Room: Private parties for 40 – 125 guests on Dec 14 – 19, 21, 22 still available. Beverage and passed appetizers and sushi starting at $60* per person!

Contact Nicole Salerno, Director of Events for more information and mention Hereschicago.com

 

The Best Chicago Destination Management Companies can provide the following meeting and event services:

Event planning
Site selection
Contract negotiation
Activities
Dine arounds
On-site staffing
Program logistics
Special events
Nationally recognized entertainment
Decor
Cutting edge audio visual
Integrated marketing
Tours
Transportation
Meet and greets
VIP services
Custom concierge
Amenities & gifts

Here’s a quick list of Chicago’s top Planner Preferred Destination Management Companies:

Bucom International 308 West Erie Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60654

BUCOM International brings years of knowledge and experience both domestically and internationally to service your planning needs.  We have researched, developed and executied meetings and incentive programs ranging from 20 people to 6,500 people.

Total Event Resources 1920 North Thoreau Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Under the leadership of President Kathy Miller, Total Event Resources has worked with Fortune 500 companies and associations nationwide in the management and production of their major events, trade shows and meetings.

Masterplan 1601 W. 55th St.
La Grange Highlands, IL 60525
 
Established full-service DMC since 1991 with specialization in event management. As the preferred DMC of Chicago’s top hotels, Masterplan also provides transportation, customized tours/activities, and professional airport and registration staff. Our experienced team of meeting and event planners will ensure that you and your attendees are provided with outstanding service for all of your destination management needs.

In the Loop-Chicago 900 North Franklin St., Suite 403
Chicago, IL 60610

Chicagoland Transportation Solutions 2500 West Higgins Road, Suite 935
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Chicagoland Transportation Solutions, Inc. is a full service ground transportation company. We offer charters, meet & greet services, small to city-wide shuttles, scheduled service, tour services, and group activities. Our customers enjoy the fact that we focus on a few core services and perfect them to excellence instead of trying to do everything average.

Ivan Carlson & Associates 2224 West Fulton St.
Chicago, IL 60612

Ivan Carlson & Associates specializes in scenic design, themed decor, stage sets and creative event design for corporate special events. We operate a 40,000 square foot facility on Chicago’s west side that is home to dynamic props, intriguing themed decor, unusual set pieces and an array of scenic design elements. ade shows and meetings.

Otis Productions 4878 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60640
 
For over a decade, Otis Productions has designed custom events for organizations large and small. We combine professionalism, creativity, and supplier negotiation expertise to make your next event a success.

More Chicago Destination Management Companies…

Chicago Is
151 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1104
Chicago, IL 60601
 
Chicago Meetings & More
5118 North Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
 
CTC
2000 North Racine Ave., Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60614
 
Eved Services
4811 West Oakton St., Suite 250
Skokie, IL 60077
 
Event Architects
311 West Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60610
 
GMS Global Management Services Inc.
360 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1001
Chicago, IL 60601
 
Masterplan Inc.
1601 West 55th St.
La Grange Highlands , IL 60525
 
On The Scene Destination and Event Management
500 North Dearborn St., Suite 550
Chicago, IL 60610

Revel Global Events
111 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2600
Chicago, IL 60601 

Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Destination Management Resource Guide for Chicago meetings and event planners seeking only the absolute best in Chicago.

Parties That Cook stages deliciously fun cooking class parties and corporate team building events. Whether you´re interested in cooking up collaboration at a team bonding activity, planning a private chef demo or a memorable 40th birthday party, Parties That Cook will provide you with the ultimate gourmet gathering.

Parties That Cook has mastered the recipe for unforgettable corporate team building events. Our hands-on team building cooking classes encourage teamwork, boost morale, build culinary confidence and foster camaraderie.

Parties That Cook’s exciting hands-on cooking class parties are perfect for all occasions:

Chicago corporate team-building events
Chicago birthday parties & anniversaries
Chicago girls’ night out
Chicago showers and bachelorette parties
Chicago wedding rehearsal dinners
Chicago group dinner parties

How It Works:

Parties That Cook’s culinary staff will greet guests with hors d’oeuvres and beverages, then welcome everyone to mix and mingle while listening to music tailored to your group.
 
Your Parties That Cook chef then presents a lively and interactive cooking demonstration chock full of kitchen tricks and techniques. We take time to respond to your cooking questions. Afterward, guests are divided into teams to create their mouthwatering dishes at fully equipped cooking stations.
 
Each recipe and cooking station has detailed instructions and all of the necessary ingredients and cooking tools. Throughout the cooking, our chefs are on hand to coach you. Parties That Cook takes care of serving and cleaning up so you can enjoy the party!
 
Choose the party format that fits your occasion:

- Small Plates is a cocktail-style appetizer cooking class party (2 hours).
- The Chef’s Table offers a four-course sit-down meal with hands-on cooking class (3 hours).
- The Kitchen Challenge is an Iron Chef-style competition and extremely popular corporate team building event (3 hours). The Ultimate Kitchen Challenge includes an additional workshop with business coach and facilitator Starla Sireno (4 hours).
- A Feast of Chocolate and Cheese is dedicated to cooking with two sinfully delicious ingredients (3 hours).
- Chef Demo is a lively lesson in cooking tips and tricks from the professionals. Includes food samples or meal (1 hour).

After the party, we will send all guests all of the recipes you followed, along with a link to digital snapshots of the fun.

Pricing:

Chef Demo: $45 per person
Sumptuous Small Plates: $75 per person
Chef’s Table: $95 per person
Feast of Chocolate and Cheese: $95 per person
Kitchen Challenge: $115 per person
Ultimate Kitchen Challenge: $185 per person

The cost includes our professional culinary instruction, service, menu, recipes, ingredients, music, kitchen equipment, setup, and cleanup. Please note that this does not include a venue rental fee, party rentals or optional services.  

Minimum/Maximum # of Guests: We can accommodate any party size from 1 to 300 guests.

Dates/Times: Cooking class events are held any time of day, based on availability of venue and staff.  Depending on the type of event selected, parties last 1 to 4 hours, with the option of adding on additional time for speeches or presentations.

Take Aways & Attire: Each guest will receive a copy of recipes and digital photos from their event. Aprons are provided to wear during the lesson or may also be purchased as party favors to take home.

Alcoholic Beverages: You may BYOB at most party locations, or Parties That Cook will suggest one of our fine wine/alcohol purveyors, depending on your chosen location.

Visit Parties That Cook on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Event Planning Resource Guide to Chicago’s Planner Preferred.

Working side by side on a mission of kindness inspires employees and cultivates a sense of camaraderie that enhances morale long after returning to the office.

The following is an interview with David Goldstein, Director of Business and Concept Development for Teambonding Chicago .  We discussed Philanthropic team building events and their positive impact on corporate meetings, employee development, camaraderie, moral building among groups and your community.

Press the link below to Listen to the Interview (It’s simple, no downloading neccessary):  
Click Play to Listen to the Interview with David Goldstein 

Some of the philanthropic team building events we discussed in detail are as follows:

Charity Bike Build – Together We Care
Armed with wrenches and enthusiasm, your teams race to construct the ultimate human-powered, no-gasoline-needed rocket – children’s bicycles. Meanwhile, other teammates.

Team Teddy Rescue Bear
Team Teddy Rescue Bear is a unique way to bring your own team together while providing priceless comfort to children who experience a car accident, house fire or injury.

Operation Military Care
Teambonding is the first to create a philanthropic team building program that gives back to our soldiers abroad. This repeat client requested program has already been a huge success!

Beehive Building
What if a corporate team building activity could stimulate employee teamwork while helping stimulate income generation for people in a developing country? Leave it to teambonding to find a way.

“Fare” to Share
Another Teambonding original combining the best of our culinary team building with a community give back and a delicious team builder for you and your team to tie it all together.

Go GREEN Racing
This team building activity showcases the importance of recycling, alternative energy and green transportation while making a contribution to the local community.

Habitat For Humanity
Teambonding offers an innovative and exciting activity that allows corporate groups to give back to Habitat for Humanity and its new home beneficiaries.

Philanthropic teambuilding is perfect for groups of all sizes no matter if your group size is 12, 50, 300, 500, 1000 or 2000, Teambonding has a program suited to your needs in Chicago or any city your meeting is taking place.

For over 20 years, TeamBonding has been developing, refining, and delivering fun, affordable, high-quality team building programs to an impressive list of clients throughout the United States and beyond. We offer you the ideal combination of experience, a wide range of programs and price points, and outstanding service. With over 70+ customized programs, TeamBonding is one of the world’s leading corporate team building specialists with popular divisions that include Scaventures, Game Show Nation, Recipe for Success and TrainingPath.

Contact David Goldstein of Teambonding Chicago for more information on Philanthropic team building events in Chicago or the city your next meeting is taking place.

Chicago’s Event Planning Resource Directory

Sumptous Small Plates | Gourmet meal of appetizers
Kitchen Challenge | Iron Chef-style cooking competition
Chef’s Table | Four-course meal with formal dining service
Feast of Chocolate and Cheese | Cooking class pairing chocolate with cheese
Ultimate Kitchen Challenge | Facilitated team building workshop, plus competition

Our stove is filling up fast, so reserve your date today!

Click here to start planning your holiday party

Click here for holiday gift ideas

Chicago Cooking Classes & Events
 
Chicago: Cooking Crush – Cooking Class & Wine Tasting for Singles
Thursday, November 20, 2008 @ Just Grapes
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Join us for the launch of Chicago’s Cooking Crush party, a wine tasting and cooking class event for singles! Eligible bachelors and bachelorettes will mingle, while enjoying wine tastes from around the world poured by the aficionados at Just Grapes. Glasses in-hand, we’ll shift into the kitchen, where co-ed teams will cook up a meal of delicious international appetizers and get to know each other between slicing and dicing. $95 per guest.

Just in time for the holidays! Receive a $50 iTunes gift card when you book a cooking party, holiday party or team building event by November 30, 2008. Our stove is filling up fast – to reserve your date, visit here and tell them you saw this on Hereschicago.com. Be sure to mention you saw this on Hereschicago.com and mention The SideDish Special coupon. Not valid with other discounts.

Parties That Cook Gift Certificates – Now Available!

Surprise the cook in your life with a gift certificate for a private cooking party by Parties That Cook! Choose from a variety of events and seasonal menus or leave it up to the recipient to plan their own exclusive cooking extravaganza! Gift certificates make wonderful presents for birthdays, holidays, weddings, retirement, graduation, employee appreciation and corporate gifts. Cooking class gift certificates are also available for our Gourmet Dating singles events.

Parties That Cook and Just Grapes are both Chicago Planner Preferred Vendors on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Event Planning Guide for meeting and event planners.

Parties That Cook® is the nation’s premier corporate team building cooking events company. Cook up camaraderie among colleagues with a hands-on cooking class party, where you’ll strap on an apron and work together to create an exciting gourmet meal. After the cooking class is done, relax and let us serve you while you celebrate the team’s achievements. Parties That Cook’s “deliciously fun” cooking classes and corporate team building events have been featured in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times & Gourmet Magazine. Call today to book your next corporate team building event or cooking class party!

Parties That Cook is a Planner Preferred vendor on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s event planning guide for meetings, corporate events, corporate activities and company outings.