We're all guilty of it. Associating Chicago with either its gangster-past, or a building or two that might be important, for one reason or another. Some people might not realize that Chicago actually hosts some of the most fantastic restaurants in the world. That's right; the profession of preparing and creating food is also practiced here. And with that, here are 5 of Chicago's greatest chefs:
1. Graham Elliot
Graham Elliot is the distinguished chef at Graham Elliot Bistro, part owner of Primary Food and Drink, and, for all you MasterChef fans, has been a judge since the first season! Graham has also made appearances on shows like Iron Chef America, and Top Chef Masters.
Outdoor Addition: We think Graham would love a high-end record player with a custom sound system by Department Chicago. We know Graham is an avid music lover; as he said, "An essential part of entertaining, along with great food, is great music."
2. Tony Mantuano
Tony Mantuano is head chef at Spiaggia restaurant. He is a James Beard award winner for "Best Chef: Great Lakes." Tony has been featured many times on the Food Network, including being a finalist on the TV show "The Next Iron Chef."
Outdoor Addition: We think Tony would love a 1,000+ square foot rooftop garden space to grow fresh ingredients for his famous Italian-American dishes. Think of it as "roof to table."
3. Rick Bayless
Rick Bayless is the head chef at Frontera Grill and XOCO, among other restaurants. He specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine and has won many James Beard awards. Rick has also hosted the show "Mexico: One Plate at a Time" on PBS.
Outdoor Addition: We think Rick would enjoy a fully stocked outdoor bar to whip up his signature margaritas and specialty cocktails. There's nothing like crafting the perfect drink al fresco.
4. Alpana Singh
Alpana Singh is the Master Sommelier at The Boarding House. She was born and raised in Monterey, California, where the wine culture took hold early. Alpana became the youngest woman in the world to earn the title of Master Sommelier at age 26.
Outdoor Addition: Alpana would certainly appreciate a custom wine refrigeration unit by VindeGarde on her outdoor space. Proper temperature control is essential for wine, even outdoors.
5. Stephanie Izard
Stephanie Izard is the head chef at Girl & The Goat, Little Goat, and Duck Duck Goat. She made history as the first female chef to win Bravo's Top Chef (Season 4). She's also a James Beard award winner for "Best Chef: Great Lakes."
Outdoor Addition: We think Stephanie would enjoy a densely planted shade structure on her outdoor space. After the demands of running three Chicago restaurants, having a cool, verdant retreat sounds like the perfect way to unwind.
These five chefs have helped put Chicago on the culinary map. Their dedication to their craft inspires us to create outdoor spaces that are just as thoughtfully designed as their restaurants.