Happy Monday! This past weekend was a fun and productive one as I hosted my first blogger workshop for Chicago Area Food Bloggers. It was a good turnout with a lot of insightful discussion where we all left energized and motivated about our blogs. Aside from hosting the workshop, we added a tasty spin and incorporated a themed potluck lunch before we started. The theme was 'Chicago' inspired dishes, be it purchased or recreated at home. Needless to say, it was a delicious lunch with quite a few local treats represented - Vienna Beef Italian Beef Sandwiches on Turano Bread, Jay's potato chips, chili cheese dip made with Kraft cheese, yeast donuts from a local South Side bakery, and Portillo's Chocolate Cake. Oh yes,.. the famous Portillo's Chocolate Cake!


One of the best parts of hosting these workshops is the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers. Katie of Dining at My Desk prepared the Portillo's Famous Chocolate Cake to our potluck and it was definitely a hit! Then again, who can resist chocolate cake anyway?!

Portillo's Chocolate Cake is famous around here because it's so rich, moist and so so good. It's a staple at the Portillo's restaurant chain and folks swear by it. So much so that they even request to have it mixed into their vanilla milkshakes for a 'Chocolate Cake Shake.' So what's the secret to this famous cake? Would you believe me if I said it was mayonnaise?

I was surprised how easy it was to prepare, so if you've got a special chocoholic to impress (Valentine's Day is coming up soon, you know...) this is the cake to make! Here's the ingredient list and be sure to get the rest of the recipe and directions over at Katie's blog - Dining at My Desk!


1 box Betty Crocker Devil’s Food Cake 
3 eggs
1 cup ice cold water
1 cup mayonnaise 
2 cans Betty Crocker chocolate frosting