Abra Berens Reveals the Hidden Work of Farming in Her Acclaimed Cookbooks and “Non-Restaurant”
Daniel HautzingerMarch 22, 2023
“Fewer and fewer people just don’t know farmers, and so they don’t understand what goes into it,” says Abra Berens, who has received national attention for both her produce-focused cookbooks and her literal farm-to-table cooking at a farm in southwest Michigan.
"It's a Man's World," But the Lawless Sisters Have Found Success in the Restaurant Industry
Daniel HautzingerMarch 17, 2023
Sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless own and operate The Dearborn in the Loop, but previously chafed at the lack of recognition they received as women in the restaurant industry—and scions of an Irish restaurant family. “We’re always Billy Lawless’s daughter or Billy Lawless’s sister,” Clodagh says. “I’m like, ‘Excuse me.’”
For One Budding Chicago Chef, West Side Culinary Training Program Provides Access to Fundamentals
Meredith FrancisMarch 14, 2023
Kiara Jones thinks food is a love language, and she has built up a following on social media with her cooking videos. She's one of several students going through a West Side job readiness program called Impact Culinary Training.
The Co-Editor of a New Encyclopedia of Indian Cuisine Explores Her Neighborhood, Along Devon Avenue
Daniel HautzingerMarch 8, 2023
Colleen Taylor Sen has lived in West Ridge near the South Asian mecca of Devon Avenue for fifty years, before there even were South Asian restaurants and shops. She has written numerous books about Indian food, although she came to writing them later in life.
The Owners of Monday Coffee Co. Want to Change the Way People Experience Mondays
Meredith FrancisFebruary 21, 2023
Amanda Christine Harth and Felton Kizer love Mondays. They want their coffee company to be about high-quality beans, the experience of coffee, and making a safe space for others.
Semlor, King Cake, and Pancakes: Indulgent Treats to Enjoy on Fat Tuesday That Aren't Pączki
Daniel HautzingerFebruary 16, 2023
Fat Tuesday may now be unofficially known as Pączki Day in Chicago, but there are plenty of other treats to enjoy on a day when Christians traditionally used up fat and meat before entering a period of fasting.
Esmé’s Beverage Director Pairs Drinks with a High-End Cheeto and Champions Social Impact Producers
Daniel HautzingerFebruary 14, 2023
The exuberantly creative Esmé presents plenty of culinary conundrums for beverage pairings, which are handled by Tia Barrett. But she also champions beverage producers who are people of color or have a charitable component.
Celebrate Black-Owned Businesses (and Michael Jordan) with Chicago BLACK Restaurant Week
Daniel HautzingerFebruary 10, 2023
Now in its eighth year, Chicago BLACK Restaurant Week celebrates the "Jordan Year," 2023, after the legendary athlete's number, by offering deals and events to support Black-owned restaurants.
A Rising Chef Comes to Chicago to Lead a New Restaurant in an Acclaimed Space
Daniel HautzingerFebruary 2, 2023
Christian Hunter is the executive chef at Atelier, the new restaurant replacing Elizabeth in Lincoln Square, a tiny spot that Iliana Regan made famous for her local, foraged food. Hunter's approach to food is similar in its adherence to local products.
Chicago's Semifinalists for the 'Oscars of Food'
Daniel HautzingerJanuary 25, 2023
The semifinalists for the James Beard Awards, one of the food industry's biggest recognitions in America, have been announced. Chicago has eleven nominees amongst them, four fewer than last year.
The Naperville Baker Making Stunning Cakes That Offer Indonesians Across the Country a Taste of Home
Daniel HautzingerJanuary 20, 2023
The Indonesian cake kue lapis legit is difficult to find in America because of its laborious process of baking twenty individual layers, but Ollyvia Putri bakes and sends them and other Indonesian treats across the country, especially at the Lunar New Year.
Chinatown's First Cocktail Bar Celebrates Lunar New Year with Cocktail Versions of Asian Food
Daniel HautzingerJanuary 18, 2023
Nine Bar is celebrating Lunar New Year with cocktails inspired by Asian dishes like fried sesame balls and tom kha kai, along with food from acclaimed Filipino restaurant Kasama. The bar was born out of pop-ups that orginally began as Lunar New Year's celebrations.
An Online Marketplace That Brings Together Some of Chicago's Most Exciting Chefs and Food Entrepreneurs
Daniel HautzingerJanuary 12, 2023
Pasta from Monteverde, sauces from Stephanie Izard, popcorn from Luella's, spice mixes from Galit: Here Here Market brings together specialty food products from Chicago chefs and entrepreneurs in one online marketplace perfect for gifts.
Chicago History and Hoppy Beers Inspire Local Brewery Hop Butcher for the World
Meredith FrancisJanuary 6, 2023
Hoppy beers and a love for all things Chicago history and food have inspired the owners of Hop Butcher for the World. The brewery recently opened a new brewery, taproom, and store in Lincoln Square.
How to Spice Up Your Hot Chocolate: Pointers from the Owner of Katherine Anne Confections
Meredith FrancisJanuary 2, 2023
Katherine Duncan of Logan Square's Katherine Anne Confections has started to think about chocolate in the same way that people think about wine. She shares her tips for making a decadent hot chocolate in your own kitchen.
Thanks to our sponsors: