LIBBY CHRISTOPOULOS

LIBBY CHRISTOPOULOS

From fond childhood memories of Grandma’s sugar cookies to culinary adventures with my family, food has always been central to my life. When I moved to Chicago, dining out with my parents and exploring fine cuisine led to cherished moments, like when Charlie...
GINA HAMPE

GINA HAMPE

I’ve always been fascinated by the power of food –  the stories it can tell, the history it carries, the bonds it creates for people.  I find it to be an incomparable way to learn about new cultures and countries.  My family loves to travel and discover a...
MARY HADERLEIN

MARY HADERLEIN

As a native Chicagoan, I grew up surrounded by some of the best food, chefs and restaurants in the country.  As kids we used to ride our bikes to Superdawg hot dogs and Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza. Those were simply some of our neighborhood favorites.  In college I...
EMILY BENAS

EMILY BENAS

Growing up in the Midwest, exotic and trendy food was not exactly the norm for my family. Through cooking shows I watched after school in the flat landscape of Illinois, I discovered the magic of different countries through their unimaginable cuisines. I have traveled...
AIDAN LOCKARD

AIDAN LOCKARD

Born and raised in the Bay Area, it has allowed me to explore a wide variety of flavors and tastes via the diverse population. My mom would also take me on a “dining experience” about once a quarter, following the principle from Jiro Dreams of Sushi: “In order to make...