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Our next guest is Christine Cikowski, Co-Founder and Chef of Honey Butter Fried Chicken. She's also a part of Sunday Dinner Club, TriBecca's Sandwich Shop, and Honey Butter Beach Club inside SPF Pickleball. We reflect on how HBFC was conceived, the many iterations it's gone through, and how they've maintained longevity through radical transparency and support of their team's dreams. Please enjoy my conversation with Christine Cikowski. https://www.instagram.com/christinecikowski/ https://www.honeybutter.com/

Our next guest is the Founder of a plant workshop here in Chicago. He goes by @uncommonplantguy. Despite the simple idea for a date night, there is so much more to experience through the lens of creating and caring for a kokedama plant. We reflect on his 13 year journey through stage theater, the lessons he’s learned through almost 10 years of therapy, as well as some themes around the human condition. Please enjoy my conversation with Austin Hunt.  https://uncommonplantguy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/uncommonplantguy/

Our next guests are preparing to open a highly anticipated burger restaurant in Park Ridge in partnership with Mikerphone Brewing. They met at the highly coveted Bavettes in Chicago and went through many iterations of what life could look like during and after the pandemic. They both were seeking stability and it wasn’t until several pop ups when Phil from Super Goode stopped by and left them a raving review. The stars began to align and they will be opening Brennan’s Gourmet Burger Shack in early 2026. Please enjoy my conversation with Alyssa and Conor Brennan.  https://www.brennansgbs.com/ https://www.instagram.com/brennans.gbs https://www.instagram.com/simple_delicious_food https://www.instagram.com/kid_at_heartt

Our next guests are Ryan Catolico and Enrique Huizar of Novel Pizza. I’ve been following their journey since the very beginning. I believe this was the second entry into the Almedaverse. Ryan reflects on how he and Francis tried to replicate some of their favorite pizzas and eventually called for help from Enrique aka Gremski who has grown up in the pizza industry. They’ve had many iterations throughout the years and have found their footing in PIlsen, Chicago. Please enjoy my conversation with Ryan and Enrique of Novel Pizza Cafe.  https://www.novelpizzacafe.com/ https://www.instagram.com.com/novel.pizza https://www.instagram.com/rythatguy_ Https://www.instagram.com/gremski

Carmilla K is back on the pod. She recently completed a half marathon in Iceland, another Hyrox event, and moved over to Studio Three from Corepower. We yap about themes of discipline, being present, and reframing why we do what we do. She’s entered her fifth decade of life and she continues to be unapologetically herself. I honestly did not think we would catch up for 3 hours but the time flew by. Please enjoy my conversation with Carmilla Kupritz. https://www.instagram.com/carmilla_k

Our next guest provides a down to earth approach to wine education and she’s coming out with a book on how to read a wine label. She has channeled her love of hospitality as a nurse and a sommelier at a 1 Star Michelin restaurant. We reflect on her non linear journey through healthcare and hospitality with themes of pragmatism, authenticity, and finding balance. Please enjoy my conversation with Marie Cheslik of Slik Wines. Preorder her book on her website at slikwines.com https://slikwines.com https://instagram.com/slikwines https://www.tiktok.com/@slikwines

Our next guest is a designer and multidisciplinary artist. She’s worked with brands like Good Things Vending [Shoutout Steph Krim], The Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Fire, The Chicago Marathon, and most recently Babe’s Sports Bar. We reflect on how she has found herself at the intersection of multiple interests and how she has found joy in soccer again. She leads a well-balanced, thoughtful life and strives to be present at the task at hand. Please enjoy my conversation with Alyssa Low.  https://www.alyssalow.com https://www.instagram.com/alyssalowww

Our next guest is passionate on all things animals. She is an ER Vet Nurse as well as the author for her blog, Faraway Kitchen, where she shares vegan recipes from around the world. She was recently a contestant on Season 15 of MasterChef. We dive into her adventurous beginnings where she leaves no stone unturned in her travels across the country as well as to Southeast Asia. We reflect on what it was like to manifest and finally fulfill her dream of cooking vegan food for Gordon Ramsay alongside other passionate home chefs. Please enjoy my conversation with Courtney Fraley.  https://instagram.com/faraway.kitchen https://www.farawaykitchen.com

Our next guest is riding the high of Eeeeeatscon this last weekend. He’s been consistently selling out of his weekly preorders despite increasing available quantities. The bagels have a nice “knock knock” crust to them and upon ripping them apart, were dense enough to dip through schmear but not excessively chewy. The everything bagel hit all the right notes. We go into how it all started only a year and a half ago, how he’s maintaining a high quality bagel as he scales the operation, and his big dreams of a brick and mortar one day. Please enjoy my conversation with Jake Rubin. https://instagram.com/holeydoughandco

Our next guest is the Chef and Founder of Về lại which is currently a Vietnamese and Lao pop-up filled with themes of nostalgia and homestyle cooking. Coming from hard-working blue collar immigrants, Alvis had a strong work ethic, and despite falling in love with food and cooking at an early age, he didn’t immediately venture into the culinary arts. Microbiology, food science, and time spent at the soon to be closed Heritage Restaurant became formative stops along the way to forming Về lại. Please enjoy my conversation with Alvis Huynh. https://www.instagram.com/velai.chi/ https://www.instagram.com/alvishuynh

Our next guest is the co-owner and Chef behind Boonie’s. Joe reflects on his Filipino-American upbringing, finding the culinary path, and eventually leaning into the Filipino culinary world. We chat about working on yourself, following your intuition, and making time to just live. If you haven’t been to Boonie’s, put it on your list. Joe’s partner, Joyce, sets a wonderful vibe that reminds you of Lola’s home and the sizzling sisig amongst other menu items will have you drooling. Please enjoy my conversation with Joe Fontelera.  https://www.booniefoods.com/ https://instagram.com/boonieschicago Https://instagram.com/joefontelera

Our next guest is one half of Tilly Bagel Shop in the South Loop and now in the West Loop. Hannah comes on to share how the bagel shop came to be. From a love of blueberry bagels her dad would bring on Sundays to staying busy during the pandemic by sharing bagels with friends and family. What started as a passion project at farmer’s markets has now emerged as a go-to for many Chicagoans. Her culinary lineage spans the Grand Cypress Hyatt hotel in Orlando to the Girl and the Goat, Boka, and Marisol (MCA). Please enjoy my conversation with Hannah Tillett-Banaszak. https://tillybagelshop.com https://instagram.com/tillybagel https://instagram.com/htilly

Our next guest has been hand painting signs since 1970. I can’t help but think about him every time I drive west on the Kennedy expressway and peer over to the roof of the Salt Shed. He did that! Join us as we reflect on how he took a leap of faith on art school and immigrated to Chicago from Newfoundland, Canada. A lot of us are striving for peace from mind and he reminds us that it’s simpler than we think. Please enjoy my conversation with Ches Perry.  https://www.rightwaysigns.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chesperry/ https://www.instagram.com/rightwaysigns

Our next guest is the Executive Chef and Partner of Perilla Fare and Steakhouse. Andy opens up about not being Korean enough or American enough and how he ultimately found his voice as a person and as a Chef. He was initially tapped as a consultant for the space that is now known as Perilla Fare. That relationship evolved into becoming the Executive Chef and Partner. Recognizing the importance of complementary strengths, Andy brought on Thomas Oh as Partner and General Manager to handle the Front of House operations. It’s so cool to see the success they’re having with both Fare and Steakhouse as well as the new handroll bar, Noriko, helmed in part by his brother Billy, which is beneath Perilla Fare. Please enjoy my conversation with Andrew Lim. https://perillachicago.com https://instagram.com/andrewjlim https://instagram.com/perillafare https://instagram.com/perillasteak

Our next guest is the Executive Chef and Owner of Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern and Packaged Goods, as well as Migos Fine Foods. He has successfully embedded southern comfort food into Chicago. We reflect on his journey from New Orleans to Miami and eventually landing in Chicago. We discuss the current state of the hospitality industry in Chicago as well as his long term goals that expand beyond being a chef. Brian is down to earth and generous. Please enjoy my conversation with Brian Jupiter.  https://www.migoschicago.com/ https://www.thefrontierchicago.com/ https://www.inamaetavern.com/