With two Chicago locations and at least one vegetarian-specific class per month, chances are you'll find what you're looking for at The Chopping Block. Depending upon your price range and taste for adventure, you can choose from demo-only ($35) and hands-on classes ($75), either on-site or at your home, or buy a set of six classes for a discount ($375 for hands-on session and $189 for demos).

While students will enjoy preparing (and eating) a wide variety of dishes, classes are skill-set-oriented, meaning that the menu for the class is designed to teach students specific cooking techniques...hence the title "Building Block Series." Students who complete all 24 classes should have comparable knowledge to culinary school grads, with experience geared toward home-cooking.

In addition to offering courses on everything from knife skills to whipping up creme brulee and crepes, the downtown location features interactive events such as iron chef cooking competitions, family night American dinners and executive lunches.