Locally grown chef Mark Newman started his career as an ad man who enjoyed cooking for friends and family.  Realizing the best career is one in which you are doing something you love, Neman left media to enroll in culinary school.  Graduating at the top of his class, he worked at several high-profile restaurants and also spent time abroad, staging and traveling, working his way across Italy and Sicily.  During this time, Newman absorbed what it is to be an authentic Italian cook.  Returning to Chicago Newman continued to ascend the culinary ladder, working his way up to a corporate chef position.  He then gained experience on the vendor side, working for a purveyor of high quality seafood catering to chefs.  Having a solid foundation not only in the kitchen but also in restaurant operation has led Newman to possess an impressive knowledge in all areas of running a restaurant.  In 2014, Newman and lifelong friend Josh Kaplan began collaborating on plans for a restaurant. Mark is now the executive chef and co-owner of popular eatery Greenwood American Kitchen and Bar.