On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome two of Chicago's most respected chefs and restaurateurs: Paul Kahan, James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef and Partner of One Off Hospitality Group, and Matthias Merges, chef, restaurateur, and proprietor of Folkart Restaurant Management.

The conversation explores their shared passion for Pilot Light, the nonprofit organization they helped build to bring meaningful food education into classrooms across the country. Paul and Matthias discuss why teaching children about food, nutrition, agriculture, and cooking empowers the next generation to make healthier choices while fostering curiosity, confidence, and community through the shared language of food.

They also shine a spotlight on one of the most underrated ingredients in the kitchen: cabbage. From its impressive nutritional value to its incredible versatility, Paul and Matthias explain why cabbage deserves a place on every chef's menu. Whether roasted, fermented, grilled, or served fresh, they share how this humble vegetable can deliver remarkable flavor, texture, and creativity.

From inspiring young minds to celebrating simple, seasonal ingredients, this episode is a thoughtful conversation about the power of food to educate, connect, and nourish communities.

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In partnership with The Chefs’ Warehouse, a specialty food distributor that has been purveying high-quality artisan ingredients to chefs for over 30 years. https://www.chefswarehouse.com/

Produced by Gotham Production Studios. Find them on Instagram: @gothamproductionstudios