Group Knife Classes

Hello,

I am looking to take a group to do a basic knife skills class, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any suggestions of places in the city. I am looking into the Chopping Block, but I was just curious to see if there are other classes that anyone else knows of. We'd just be looking for something basic and not pricey.

Or if anyone knows anyone who gives instructional classes on basic knife skills, that would be helpful.

Thanks!

An episode of Good Eats on this very topic just aired on the Food Network recently.
I wouldn't be surprised if it will show again soon.
Best of all, it's free!

Sur La Table 54 East Walton, offers essential knife skills classes several time a month. $69 They also have a store in Naperville, probably offer it there too.

If Kendall College is still offering consumer classes, their knife skills classes are great. They have two levels: Beginning, which focuses on basic skills and produce, and Intermediate, which focuses on poultry and fish.

A number of years ago, I took a basic knife skills class at The Chopping Block (back at the old Webster location). It was an excellent course and taught me a lot of good skills and practices that have become second-nature to me.

It remains the only cooking class I've ever taken and if I were to recommend one class to anyone who wanted to be more effective in the kitchen, this would be it.

Best,
Michael

johnny wrote:An episode of Good Eats on this very topic just aired on the Food Network recently.
I wouldn't be surprised if it will show again soon.
Best of all, it's free!

According to my guide Good Eats on the Food Network tonight at 10pm is called "American Slicer"--with the description "Cutlery is discussed." I wonder if this is the same one?

cupcake wrote:

johnny wrote:An episode of Good Eats on this very topic just aired on the Food Network recently.
I wouldn't be surprised if it will show again soon.
Best of all, it's free!

According to my guide Good Eats on the Food Network tonight at 10pm is called "American Slicer"--with the description "Cutlery is discussed." I wonder if this is the same one?

Alton Brown has done a few episodes on knives.

The first (and IMO most useful) is called "Pantry Raid 2".
See http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season2/EA1B12.htm

Recently he made the "American Slicer" episode. I think a lot of the material in this episode was covered in the above episode. See http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season11/EA1111.htm

Other episodes to check out:
http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season6/EA1F06.htm
http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season9/EA0915.htm

WTTW in Chicago is also rerunning Jacques Pepin's "Complete Pepin" series at 3pm Saturdays. He's already done the knife skills episode, but perhaps it will be replayed. See here.

Also check out the eGullet knife skills class (on-line):
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=25958

$69 seems a bit high price for a class that teaches you some knife skills. I worked in a kitchen for 4 years and learned a lot but am always curious about others techniques. If you locate one that is reasonably priced please post. i would love to take it.

Not in the city, but easily accessible via the green and blue lines, Flavour Cooking School in Forest Park has knife skills and other classes.

http://www.flavourcookingschool.com/flash_intro.html

Darren72 wrote:WTTW in Chicago is also rerunning Jacques Pepin's "Complete Pepin" series at 3pm Saturdays. He's already done the knife skills episode, but perhaps it will be replayed. See here.

Pepin blew my mind with some poultry prep on this series. He eviscerated a chicken so completely, so quickly and in so many ways, I was surprised PETA didn't interrupt the proceedings.

That is a very very useful half hour I still have saved on my DVR.

Any chance you can post that episode?

eatchicago wrote:A number of years ago, I took a basic knife skills class at The Chopping Block (back at the old Webster location). It was an excellent course and taught me a lot of good skills and practices that have become second-nature to me.

It remains the only cooking class I've ever taken and if I were to recommend one class to anyone who wanted to be more effective in the kitchen, this would be it.

Best,
Michael

Similarly, this is the only cooking class I've ever taken. I loved it too, and was tempted by their pitch at the end for an advanced knife skills class. I believe they still offer at the Merc. Mart location.

davecamaro1994 wrote:Any chance you can post that episode?

Sorry, not that handy with the video transfer.

However, it is episode 107, I believe and they seem to replay it every so often.

Search 'knife skills' on YouTube and you'll get over 400 hits.

Marmish wrote:Not in the city, but easily accessible via the green and blue lines, Flavour Cooking School in Forest Park has knife skills and other classes.

http://www.flavourcookingschool.com/flash_intro.html

have done a couple hands on classes here..lots of fun and a nice night out as well

davecamaro1994 wrote:Any chance you can post that episode?

Assuming you were asking about the Pépin episode (as opposed to Good Eats), it is on tomorrow at 3 on WTTW.

As I said, impressive. My brother and I laughed in amazement watching Jacques run roughshod over a brood of chickens with a sharp knife or two.