I am Consciously Curious

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/

Our next guest traded eleven years at three Michelin-starred Alinea for something money can't buy: balance, agency, and intimacy. Simon Davies discovered this new path immediately after leaving Chicago's temple of molecular gastronomy as Executive Chef in January 2020, when he traveled to Jaipur, India for a project with Champagne house Krug. What started as a consulting venture, Ilixr Creative evolved into an exclusive private dining experience driven by organic demand from clients seeking something beyond the traditional restaurant model.

Simon embodies an intriguing duality—calm and measured, with unexpected flashes of playfulness that emerge in his work. I've witnessed this firsthand at his pop-ups at Verve Wine, where he's served elevated burgers alongside fine Burgundy—a delightful contradiction that perfectly captures his approach to hospitality. After more than a decade perfecting his craft in one of the world's most demanding kitchens, Simon has found his own voice in the intimate theater of private dining.

Please enjoy my conversation with Simon Davies, a chef who chose connection over convention.

https://www.ilixrcreative.com

https://www.instagram.com/ilixrcreative/

https://www.instagram.com/simon.a.davies

Our next guest is the Beverage Director at Esmé. He’s inquisitive, playful, and balanced. We reflect on his journey through hospitality from the earlier days at Burger King and Starbucks to earning his stripes at the now closed Claudia and eventually Esmé. In addition to directing the wine, cocktail, and nonalcoholic programs, he hosts a show called Balanced Hospitality and has managed to curate live recordings and host happy hours through it. Please enjoy my conversation with Stevan Miller.

https://www.instagram.com/stevanmatthewmiller/

https://www.instagram.com/balancedhospitality/