The Iconoclast Dinner Experience: All Star Culinary Bash

“Our Chicago event is our way of kicking off the James Beard Foundation Awards weekend.  And this particular event celebrates JBF recognized chefs of color.”  Lezli Levene Harvell, Founder and Curator of Iconoclast Dinner Experience Make late night plans for May 4th and join the delicious celebration of Iconoclast Dinner Experience (IDE) with Lezli Levene Harvell, founder and…

Read More

Candace Jordan: Charity, Chicken and a Cast Iron Skillet

Candace Jordan is one of Chicago’s most celebrated celebrities who loves charity and chicken. Over the course of her modeling career, Candace was featured eight times on the cover of Playboy and was a “bunny” during what was considered the golden age of the magazine.  Now Candace is the one who shines the spotlight on…

Read More

Charity in the Kitchen: Pompe Disease

As we all know, charity begins at home, and the kitchen is the heart of the home.  It is my honor to use Kitchen Chat’s platform to highlight charities and special causes.  A dear friend of mine, Melissa Palmer, is such an inspiration.  She is battling a rare disease called Pompe.  During our kitchen chat,…

Read More

A Gift of Hope for Mother's Day

Just like the kitchen is the heart of our own homes, the kitchen is also the heart of the homes at WINGS.  Women and children sit around the table and share meals with fellow survivors of domestic violence who have made the bold decision to flee to safety and begin a new life without fear.…

Read More

The Culinary Lens with Chef Jacques Pepin and Tom Hopkins

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in cookbooks.  What is it like to be behind the lens and capture taste and texture of dishes created by one of the world’s greatest chefs? Tom Hopkins has been Chef Jacques Pepin’s photographer and videographer for 35 years.  “My job is to take a photograph where…

Read More

Chef Pierre Thiam and Brooklyn

Did you see the endearing movie Brooklyn?  Saoirse Ronan portrays Eilis, a young Irish woman who moves to Brooklyn in 1952 and lives in an Irish boarding house.  Eilis quickly expands her world and her palate when she meets and marries a young Italian named Tony.  Eilis even tastes spaghetti for the first time. https://youtu.be/MYhEKwrJ5gg The movie…

Read More

Chef Art Smith and The Martian

It’s Oscar Season!  Let’s celebrate by pairing Oscar Nominated films for Best Picture with Kitchen Chat Nominated Best Recipes that deliciously capture a pivotal scene in the movie. For The Martian, I chose Chef Art Smith’s recipe for Roasted Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup.  As you may recall, Matt Damon’s character, Astronaut Mark Watney is…

Read More

Kitchen Chat with Rochelle Trotter

Rochelle Trotter is gracious, courageous, vivacious and sagacious.  It was an honor to interview her at the beautiful Langham Chicago.  During our kitchen chat, Rochelle shares heartfelt stories along with life lessons she learned from her husband, the iconic Chef Charlie Trotter. Chef  Charlie Trotter’s legacy continues through the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary  Education Foundation that provides…

Read More

In the Kitchen with Anne Willan

Anne Willan is an icon in the culinary world. As founder of Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne in Paris in 1975, she has trained some of today’s top chefs and people in the culinary industry. La Varenne was one of the first cooking schools in France to offer simultaneous instruction in French and English and…

Read More

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time to “Give Thanks.” Yes, that means counting our blessings, gathering around a table with family and friends, and opening our homes and hearts. But those two powerful words can also expand beyond our own kitchens.  During this holiday season, Kitchen Chat will provide different ways for you to “Give Thanks” and…

Read More