40 and Chicago’s Chopping Block

On the event of turning the first digit in my age on Nov 25 to (4)0, and still not knowing what I want to be when I grow up, my sweet wife Steph got me a surprise gift of attending one of the cooking classes at the Chicago Chopping Block cooking school. How cool is that! Or maybe she meant that my cooking sucks so bad that I am in desperate need of some classes. Heh!

The place has a vast schedule of classes from learning how to bake bread and pastries, prepare sauces, knife skillz, to making the well known Chicago style pizza, pasta workshop, hands on sushi, wine tasting,  French Bistro, and so on. I’m still unsure which classes to attend. The “Irresistible Hors d’Oeuvres” looks interesting so far. They will teach you (me) some interesting appetizers like:

• Mushroom, Onion and Gruyere Cheese Puff Pastry Tart
• Crab and Spinach Dip
• Chorizo and Phyllo Cigars
• Candied Nuts
• Bacon Wrapped Dates (who wouldn’t like THAT !?!)

I debated between the Italian Comfort food and the Hors d’Oeuvres class and I feel myself drawn more to the latest since we have plenty of authentic Italian cooking going on in our family that I could learn from without paying the $75/class tuition.

I am curious to know if any of you attended any of these classes and if you have a strong opinion what to take and what not, etc.
It looks like a nice downtown experience, specially for my, the suburb boy who only needs to take the commuter train from the Northwest suburbs into Chicago where the class takes place (Merchandise Mart building). And if they taste good I’ll post the recipes and techniques! Might even smack some pics!