Virtual Fall Weeknight Dinner: Choose Your Level of Instruction

Join us for a virtual cooking class as you and your date either cook along with our Chopping Block Chef in real time, or watch as a demonstration as our chef teaches you how to make dinner from scratch via Zoom.

This class is in partnership with Common Threads and you can choose to make a donation to this national nonprofit that provides children and families cooking and nutrition education to encourage healthy habits that contribute to wellness. Common Threads equips under-resourced communities with information to make affordable, nutritious and appealing food choices wherever they live, work, learn, and play. The organization knows that food is rooted in culture and tradition so it promotes diversity in our lessons and recipes, encouraging our participants to celebrate the world around them.

Since 2003, Common Threads has reached more than 150,000 children, parents and educators across the greater Chicago, and more than 600,000 people across all of its markets. During COVID, the organization has shifted its efforts to virtual instruction, but has returned with limited in-person programming in Chicago and other markets. Donations received through this class will go toward Common Threads’ Giving Tuesday goal of $50,000, which will allow the organization to enhance and sustain its virtual and in-person cooking and nutrition education programming.

Menu:

• Sautéed Pork Chops with Mushrooms, Onions and White Wine-Mustard Reduction
• Sweet Potato and Sage Stuffing

Skills covered in class:

• Selecting and sautéing pork
• Determining meat doneness
• Balancing flavors
• Preparing a pan sauce
• Working with root vegetables
• Preparing stuffing

Our virtual classes will have you and your chef instructor cooking together in real time, or if preferred, enjoy the class as an engaging demonstration with the flexibility to prepare the dishes at another time. Either way, you will gain a full understanding of the techniques. Upon registration, chose which option is best for you. 

Upon signup you will receive the recipe packet complete with a very detailed equipment list and class syllabi that outlines the flow of the class. If you will be cooking along, we ask that all ingredients are procured and measured ahead of time to help the flow of the class.

Whether cooking along or watching as a demonstration, our Zoom moderator will make sure all of your questions are answered live by the chef either during or after class. 

Got questions about our virtual classes? Check out our FAQs.