Presented by:
Barry Sorkin,
Founding partner, Smoque BBQ, Chicago

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified 

The searing urge was too much for him, so Barry Sorkin just upped and left his safe and comfortable career as an IT professional to pursue his dream of bringing great regional American BBQ to Chicago. Barry spent over a year researching the industry, traveling to the BBQ mecca of Texas, then writing a detailed business plan, finding a location, and fine-tuning recipes.  Continue reading →

Presented by:
Chef Gale Gand,
Executive pastry chef, Tru; TV Host, Food Network; Cookbook author

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

When we invite our culinary luminaries to speak before our group, we always ask them to jot down a few lines about their topic, and then we write up the program flyer. When Chicago’s venerable pastry artiste Gale Gand sent us her notes, we decided not to change one sweet word. Continue reading →

Presented by
Andrew Coe, author

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

In 1784, passengers on the ship Empress of China became the first Americans to land in China, and the first to eat Chinese food. Today there are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants across the United States—by far the most plentiful among all our ethnic eateries. Join us as Andrew Coe provides the history of this American infatuation. Continue reading →

Presented by
Almaz Yiginaw,
chef-owner, Ethiopian Diamond Restaurants, Chicago
with
Mawi Asgedom, author, educator

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

Come join us as two of Ethiopia’s finest exports discuss the 3000 year-old culture and cuisine of their native country.

Almaz Yiginaw, chef-owner of the popular Ethiopian Diamond Restaurants, located both in Edgewater and Rogers Park, will discuss the food traditions and customs of her beloved Ethiopia, which she has transported to Chicago through her authentic cuisine. Continue reading →

Presented by
Carlyn Berghoff, Restaurateur, Caterer, Author
With
Nancy Ross Ryan, Co-author, Berghoff Cafe Cookbook

Berghoff Cafe
Lower level, 17 W. Adams St., Chicago

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

What better way to enjoy Chicago’s culinary history than to congregate at not only the city’s oldest restaurant (opened 1898), but also the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States. Join us as Carlyn Berghoff, great-granddaughter of founder Herman Berghoff, dishes out a generous portion of Berghoff family history (along with some fresh-made coffee cake) and describes the Cafe dishes of old Chicago: beer braised pork loin, Lyonnaise potatoes, bacony green beans. Continue reading →