Talent

Chef Beau MacMillan has cooked in some of America’s most distinguished kitchens. A two-time James Beard Foundation award-nominee for Best Chef: Southwest, he hails from Plymouth, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island..  read more

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Troy is an award-winning food writer who’s been a host and cooking competition judge on Food Network for 13 years. He and his wife Claire own San Diego Magazine, telling the stories of the Southern California food culture. In 2011 he wrote and hosted his first primetime TV series for Food Network (“Crave”), and has since been a judge on over 150 episodes of “Guy’s Grocery Games” with Guy Fieri. read more...

Jeremy Roenick is a retired American hockey player. He is a nine-time NHL All-Star and two-time U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team member, Jeremy Roenick was one of hockey’s top American-born players on both the professional and international stage.  After conquering on the ice, Roenick’s adventurous spirit led him to co-founding Whiskey in the Wild. a tribute to his philosophy of work hard, play hard, live fully. 

After over 20 years in the hospitality industry and a decade working in leadership roles with some of the most reputable bars in NYC, including Maison Premiere, Death & Co, and Dead Rabbit, Jillian has recently relocated to Charleston, SC, to open her own bar with business partner Sean Muldoon, expected to open Fall 2024. Jillian is most well known for her creative drink and menu development skills, as well as bar logistics, events, Read More...

Dan Kosta has over 20 years of experience in the Sonoma County wine industry, specifically as THE leading producer of ultra-premium California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

A native son of Sonoma wine country, Dan’s lifelong love of food and wine led him to a career in the restaurant industry, utilizing skills learned as a child to navigate through a series of world class restaurants as a back waiter, waiter, bartender, maître d’, operations manager and finally as wine director at the acclaimed John Ash & Company in the Russian River Valley Read More...

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Elizabeth Falkner is an award winning chef who started cooking and then owned restaurants in San Francisco for two decades and then New York for a decade. She continues to cook at Food & Wine Festivals, fundraisers, and other events and has cooked for countless celebrities and personalities across multiple platforms. Elizabeth works also as a recipe/formula developer/consultant on projects and brands such as Molino Bianco/Barilla, Starbucks, Hershey, Pepsi, Compass Group, Nestle, Cliff Bar, Mondalez, Wrigley’s, Quaker, General Mills, Emmi Cheeses from Switzerland, M&M/Mars, Behave Candy, Read More...

Co-founder of Soul & Smoke- Chef D’Andre Carter may have earned a national reputation in fine dining, but his true obsession is BBQ. It all started at his grandma’s house on the South Side of Chicago. As her sous chef, he helped cook Sunday dinners for family and friends, learning that it’s not just the flavors that make a meal memorable; it’s the people you share it with. Read More...

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Whether it be behind the ivory keys or s trumming the six string acoustic guitar, D's ability to captivate an audience is unmatched.  Professionally, D. Vincent has written songs that have landed on more than 35 Million recordings such as: Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, John Michael Montgomery, Neal Mccoy, Mark Wills, Steve Holy, James Otto, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Cagle, Billy Gilman, Read More...

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Mada is a world traveler with many different walks of life. He is originally from Egypt and grew up in New Zealand, he travelled the world and experienced many cultures. 

Mada is a former Pro Basketball player, WWE Superstar, Celebrity Trainer and most recently starred on Gordon Ramsey’s hit show Next Level Chef. 

Mada’s food is just like him, one big fusion as he loves to incorporate flavors from all over the world and create new and unique dishes. Mada’s goal is to inspire, entertain and bring people together through food and sport! 

 

Known as one of the most exciting BBQ chefs in her hometown of Chicago, IL, Dominique Leachis a classically trained chef turned nationally recognized pitmaster. Firstgarnering culinary experience in some of the most prestigious kitchens in Chicago under the direction of chef icons such as James Beard award-winningowner/chef Tony Mantuanoand Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde) at MICHELIN starred Italian restaurant Spiaggia, as well as witha ward-winning author and chef Raghavan Lyer at The Art Institute Museum. Read More...

 

Chef/Partner Danny Grant, the two MICHELIN star force behind Chicago-based Maple Hospitality Group, has earned a reputation for redefining experiential hospitality with his chef-driven concepts across the country. From the country’s highest grossing steakhouse brand Maple & Ash to Dallas’ refined sake-cocktail lounge Kessaku and wood-fired Italian hotspot Monarch, Grant is a master curator of modern, one-of-a-kind dining experiences. Read More...

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Christina Demas, the National Spirits and Brand Director of Maple Hospitality Group, which includes some of the country’s highest grossing restaurants, never imagined she would be in the beverage industry, much less redefining cocktail culture as a whole. Demas began serving in college, working with the Dallas-based hospitality group Front Burner Society. She quickly established a name for herself, becoming a corporate trainer and traveling across the country to assist in opening new concepts for the company. Read More...

Adam Busby is a father of six daughters, including the first all-female quintuplets in the U.S., featured on TLC's *OutDaughtered*. As an executive producer, he helps share his family's journey with millions. Adam is passionate about family life, entrepreneurship and Food!​

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My name is Christopher Smith, but on social media, I’m known as "Meatlicious." I’m a home chef turned social media influencer, recognized for my love of all things meat, especially wild creations like massive steak sandwiches, hearty pasta dishes, and fun, easy-to-make recipes. In 2022, I launched my social media journey, sharing videos of me crafting these over-the-top food creations, and it’s taken off in a big way. My passion for cooking comes from growing up in an Italian household where everything was made from scratch. As a fun fact, when I’m not in the kitchen, you might find me competing in professional arm wrestling tournaments. 

Cecilia Lanyon is the co-founder of The Cotton Duck Hospitality group which owns and operates The Gallery, The Peanut Gallery restaurants in Lake Forest. She serves on the Advisory board of The Deer Path Art League, Where she recently served as the Executive Director. Cecilia opened her first business in 2012, Read More..​

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Chef Dominic Zumpano is the co-founder of the Cotton Duck Hospitality Group, which owns and operates The Gallery, The Peanut Gallery and Lucky Duck restaurants in Lake Forest, Illinois. He started his career on the west side of Chicago at an American fine dining restaurant. In just a few years he worked his way from dishwasher to chef tournade. Read more...​

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Chef Richie Farina brings more than two decades of culinary experience to his current role as executive chef of Adorn Bar & Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Chef Farina was born in Staten Island, New York before moving to New Jersey when he was 2 years old. From ages 8 until 18 he lived in Riverview, Florida, where he began his culinary career at the age of 16 as a pizza maker. Chef Farina went on to attend Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Culinary Arts in 2005. Read More...

 

Cindy Kienzle is the Founder of Hungry Monkey Baking, LLC. It took Cindy 25 years to start her baking company. Almost everything great in her life came late – she got married at 47, had her daughter, Lily (Hungry Monkey’s namesake), at 48, and started Hungry Monkey just days before her 51st birthday, 14 years ago. 

Cindy always wanted to open a bakery, but she had a career heading up the Chicago Transit Authority’s Marketing and Customer Communication Department for a decade. Read More...

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Painter and sculptor, Ari Smejkal, has been creating for over 30 years. Known around the world for his exquisite furniture designs and his uniquely skilled craftsmanship, Smejkal has always shown a passion for true artistry in all its forms. Having found an opportunity to feature his knowledge, skill, and workmanship on HGTV’s Windy City Rehab, Read more...​​​

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From his early roots as a Chicago DJ to touring the globe and releasing music worldwide, Nick Rockwell is steadily growing to be a favorite in the Electronic Music scene. His strong passion for music and dedication to his production and performances has helped him make his mark on Dance Music. Known to be one of Bad Boy Bills go-to Opening acts, he has mastered the ability to connect with a crowd and keep them moving. Read More...

Sonja Kassebaum is the Co-Owner and Co-founder of North Shore Distillery, located in north suburban Chicago. North Shore is the original craft distillery in Illinois, opening at a time when there were just a few dozen craft distilleries in the United States. Sonja loves making spirits and cocktails of all kinds, and enjoys sharing them with others, including the history, tools and techniques involved in making them. read more...

Ciao! My name is Ruthie Amidei and my passion is cooking and baking. I grew up surrounded by fresh food, cooking and working along side my parents at their outdoor gourmet market, Amidei Mercatino in Lake Forest. My love for Italian food and culture brought me to Florence where I studied cooking and the Italian language. Read More..

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At 38 years of age, Chef Ryan Clark has accomplished much in his career. A Tucson native true to his roots and committed to using local and sustainable ingredients, Chef Clark’s dishes reflect the freshness and unique flavors that only result from this kind of culinary sensibility.

In 2017 Chef Ryan Clark was hired as Executive Chef for the AAA 4 Diamond and Forbes 4 Star Hotel Casino Del Sol. Read more...​​

Chef Paul Boehmer's commitment to fine cuisine spans more than four decades. Learning his craft as an apprentice, he went on to hone his craft at several top Toronto establishments. After an apprenticeship under the noted chef Michael Stadtländer in 1983, Paul moved to Scaramouche in 1985 as chef tournant. Read more...

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Peter McQuaid is a dynamic and innovative Executive Chef based in Phoenix, Arizona, known for his profound passion for the culinary arts and hospitality industry. As the Executive Chef at The Americano, a sophisticated modern Italian-inspired steakhouse in Scottsdale, Peter showcases his culinary creativity through a meticulously crafted menuthat highlights the finest Read More...

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From dive bars to fine dining, Jes has quite an array of bartending backstory. After nearly 15 industry years, she finds herself pouring in a small suburb creating craft cocktails for the locals of Grayslake, and running a private bourbon club on the side. Every month she can be found teaching a Bartending Masterclass at 129 Center Cut, where she walks attendees through a series of techniques and recipes, allowing everyone to be their own bartender! Her passion focuses on simplicity, creativity, and supporting the art of local distillers.

Taking his early rock influences and melding them with acoustic based music, Matt Feddermann has created a sound that is reminiscent of early Tom Petty, The Beatles, Rhett Miller & Dawes. His music is melodic & his sound is accessible. Over the years, Feddermann has performed at venues like House Of Blues, Metro, Double Door and at festivals such as Taste Of Chicago, read more...​​​​​​

Chef Todd Stoner is a fourth generation chef. He grew up on the grounds of the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where his father served as Vice President of Food and Beverage for 30 years. His early memories are of running through the massive kitchen of the Greenbrier grabbing cookies as they were pulled hot from the ovens. Read More...​

With a career that spans more than 20 years, Russell LaCasce is known for his vast culinary knowledge and true love of the craft. As the executive chef of Hotel Valley Ho, he oversees all culinary operations for the hotel, including the OH Pool and OHasis Pool, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and the hotel’s signature restaurant, ZuZu.

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Erica Crawford began her career as a scientist in cardiac medicine in S. Africa, but it was her self-taught skills as an exporter and marketer that saw her rise to prominence in New Zealand. Nearly 20 years later, those skills, experiences as well as her ethical beliefs were brought to bear in a wide range of professional and cause-related pursuits. For 9 years, Erica and Kim forged a brand and then sold their company to a North American beverage giant. Read More..

Pitmaster Michael Clarke is the owner of Pit & Tap restaurant in Wilmette. After consulting on numerous restaurant openings in Southern California from the 90s through the mid-2000s, Michael reentered the industry in 2021. During his break from the restaurant world, he developed a passion for barbecue, competing in local competitions Read More..

Josh was born and raised in Libertyville while made the downtown area a natural location for his two restaurants.  Milwaky Trace offers diners a chef-driven, seasonal menu and popular craft cocktails.  Milwalky Taco is an inviting 150-seat taco joint for friends and family to enjoy traditional tacos and the best margaritas around. ​

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As Chef de Cuisine at The Gallery in Lake Forest, Brian Kane brings over 20 years of diverse culinary experience to your plate. Chef Brian has worked in a wide array of settings — from supervising food service for major arenas read more...

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Sara’s passion for baking began at a young age. Her interest mostly stems from a fond Christmas tradition with her mother of spending not only hours, but multiple days baking various cookies before the holiday arrived.

Sara earned her Baking and Pastry degree from Kendall College in Chicago in 2018. She also received the Award of Excellence in Baking and Pastry from her chef instructors.

Sara’s personality shines through her desserts which are both whimsical and nostalgic. 

Nic Barnum is a local singer/songwriter, co-founder of The Hellhounds and all around JAM catalyst. Nic has been playing music since he was 12 years old and loves collaborating with other musicians. Nic's catalog of original music has influences of all genre's. Read More...

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Call me ISz.  I chose this name and identity because it expresses that which simply is- the immediate and active life-state and timeless connection with all things.

Originally from cosmic parts unknown, my arrival point on earth was Peoria, IL, there I spent many years in self-discovery and playing. read more...

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Chef Brian received his culinary degree in 1994, He has traveled all over the country cooking in a wide array of restaraunts- from Mom & Pop diners, to large Corporate Venues.  Chef starting working with Ravinia Brewing Company in 2020,  and is the Executive Chef at Ravinia Brewing Highland Park- A community gathering place for Chicago's North Shore, featuring a scratch kitchen and craft brews.

Singh in Punjabi means lion, the animal that we take pride in associating ourselves with. We approached the flavors integrated to our menu at Singh’s Kitchen with the same level of ferocity as the lions we choose to represent our culture. Growing up immersed in that culture in Bombay, India, read more...

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Founded in 2016, Hexe Coffee Co. started with a passion for specialty coffee, initially focusing on barrel-aged creations that offered rich, complex flavors. While our roots are in barrel aging, we've grown into much more. We’re a gothic-inspired brand dedicated to making specialty coffee accessible, enjoyable, and completely unpretentious. Our relaxed, welcoming vibe invites everyone to savor the experience.

James M. Bondoc 

Executive Chef Onwentsia Club

Lake Forest,IL

Tarlac,Tarlac, Philippines

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Recently inducted into the prestigious Disciples Escoffier International, Chef Christian Alejandro was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and currently resides in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. He was the youngest ever competitor to reach the finals of MasterChef Latino and has led culinary teams at many boutique downtown hotels as well as private clubs including The Signature Room at 95th and The Mid-America Club. Read More...

        Gabriel is a native of Transylvania, Romania. He began his musical journey at age 4 . During his time in elementary school he started playing piano and acoustic & classical guitar at the age of 9. As a teenager he was gifted several cassette tapes featuring what later would become his favorite guitar artists. One of them featured Christopher Parkening playing works by Bach and the other Joe Pass & Barney Kessel with Ella Fitzgerald. Read More...​

Self-taught, two-time winner of the Libertyville Firefighter Rib cook off, Nick Dovel is no stranger to the kitchen, grills, or smokers. Whether in the firehouse kitchen or competing in local BBQ competitions, Nick brings not only the fun, but flavors that are guaranteed to wake up and excite your taste buds. He has competed in the Kansas City Barbecue Society Competitions since 2018 Read More..​​

Chef Heath, a seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry, boasts a diverse culinary background as a published author and media personality. He has showcased his expertise on platforms such as WGN and ABC7 Chicago. Heath’s culinary journey includes collabs with renowned chefs like Beau MacMillan, Maneet Chauhan, Todd English and many more, as well as participation in Read More...​

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Hector Hernandez is driven by a profound interest in the interplay of truth, goodness, and beauty. His artwork serves as a vessel for exploring these fundamental human values. Employing a meticulous 15th-16th century Renaissance technique, he creates pieces with a unique, almost ethereal finish rarely seen today. This distinctive quality echoes the sfumato of Leonardo da Vinci and the unione of Raphael Sanzio, inviting viewers into a contemplation of aesthetics. Hernandez intentionally selects simple, Read More..​​​​​​

Born and raised in Rome Italy, Head Pizzaiolo, Alessandro has been perfecting his brick oven craft for over 20 years. Fiercely committed to honoring the Roman traditions of Italian wood-fired pizza, Alessandro is sharing his love for authenticity and freshness across the Chicagoland area.​​​

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Libertyville brothers Nick and Chef Theo own and operate Chrissoulas Modern Greek Restaurant and their pop-up sensation West Side Ramen.  Located in downtown Libertyville's vibrant restaurant scene, their restaurants stand out as fresh, unique, and always keeping you guessing on what they'll come up with next!​​​​​​​​

I have been a corporate chef for McCain Foods for 2 years and work out of our corporate offices in Oakbrook.  I have been an Executive Chef in Chicagoland for 27 years.  I reside in Palatine, IL with my husband Todd and dog Ski. 

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