What's cooking...

The Wooden Spoon, opened by co-owners Trina and Sean Sheridan on Dec. 7, 2002, is an Andersonville-based shop offering gourmet kitchenware and cooking classes.

In fall 2001, Trina and Sean cooked up the idea for the business, after noticing the need for a friendly shop that offered a top-quality line of kitchenware at reasonable prices, and a welcoming atmosphere for students to learn cooking skills from trained professionals.

After conceiving the store concept, the entrepreneurs set to work on converting the storefront of their  two-flat at 5047 N. Clark into the home for The Wooden Spoon.

With the business plan in place and location specified, Sean and Trina contracted Andersonville architecture firm Greene & Proppe to design the space for The Wooden Spoon shop and cooking school. 

In the following months, the façade of the two-flat was re-bricked and the storefront gutted and re-designed. And, co-owner Sean set to work on designing and creating the sweeping cooking school and register-area's innovative concrete countertops.

The summer and fall of 2002 marked the home stretch for The Wooden Spoon.  Custom-cabinets, Viking appliances and a new storefront were put in place. Meanwhile, Trina tested and selected a variety of cookware, gadgets, and food preparation tools that would both be sold in the shop and used by chefs in the cooking school.

In November 2002, the company logo was selected, walls were painted, and the awning raised. On Dec. 6, 2002, the nine-foot wooden spoon was finally graced the building façade — taking The Wooden Spoon from concept to reality. 

In January 2003, The Wooden Spoon, launched its Web site (www.woodenspoonchicago.com) and announced the opening of its cooking school.

Our neighborhood: Andersonville
Part of the charm of The Wooden Spoon is its setting – Chicago’s historic and vibrant Andersonville neighborhood. During the summer of 2002, Andersonville underwent a facelift as part of the “Streetscape” project. the neighborhood was brightened with gas lamps that add an old-world feel, and brick accents and Andersonville cornerstones that give a he new sidewalks new curb appeal.

The Streetscape re-design revitalized the look and feel of Andersonville’s Clark Street, creating a friendly neighborhood feel — perfect for shoppers and community residents who often stroll the streets of the historic Swedish neighborhood.

Proud of its Andersonville connection, The Wooden Spoon incorporates the wealth of neighborhood resources into its cooking school. 

In addition to tapping into community resources for its cooking school, The Wooden Spoon features a variety of classes, inspired by Andersonville’s diversity and history.

Five years of cooking it up in Andersonville
Thanks to the support and encouragement from each and every one of our customers, friends, and family, we are proud to celebrate four years of cooking up new classes and culinary merchandise in Andersonville.

We look forward to seeing you the next time you're in the 'hood!

Thank you for your interest in The Wooden Spoon!
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