Mel of Love Street shares her artistic approach to building cocktails in Lincoln Park’s best cocktail spot. Mel has bartended all over Chicago for more than decade and she combines her photography/fine art background to developing cocktails and engaging with customers. She’s one of the most fun bartenders to converse with from across the bar, so go pay her a visit!

Guest: Mel Hatch

Host: Jake Hukee

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We take a trip to Wheaton, IL to hang at one of the best bars in Chicagoland, Subourbon. Kobe Sargent is the man behind the bar program at this historic whiskey, wine and cocktail establishment. Subourbon is membership-driven bar experience in an 150 year old building where members collect bottles, share stories and drink fantastic cocktails led by Kobe. Listen to Kobe’s story from a curious server to GM Subourbon.

Guest: Kobe Sargent

Host: Jake Hukee

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Garrett takes us through running the beverage program for one of the best restaurant groups in the Chicago suburbs, Bourbon. Belly. Recording from historic Glen Ellyn’s Maize + Mash, Garrett shakes a Check On Your Honey, a Farmer’s Gin based cocktail.  Garrett shares his industry experience, his love for whiskey and best parts of working with a cohesive bar team.

Guest: Garrett Turnquist

Host: Jake Hukee

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Back to The Press Room but this time we chat with Managing Partner Josue Mancero. Josue is one the friendliest bartenders in Chicago and he gets right into shaking the Pineapple & Bark (rum sour riff). Josue shares his 20 years in hospitality—14 years behind the bar—and how his experience as a chef influences his cocktail menus. We also chat about Josue’s favorite Chicago food spots and how the hospitality industry is built different because of the city’s multi-cultural influence.

Guest: Josue Mancero

Host: Jake Hukee

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We head to one of my favorite Chicago cocktail spots, The Press Room to hang with Jorge Vallejo, Beverage Director/Managing Partner. Jorge shares his journey of moving from Ecuador to New York—where he began his hospitality career. After a decade in New York, Jorge moved to Chicago and he’s now recognized as one of the city’s best bartenders.

Guest: Jorge Vallejo

Host: Jake Hukee

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From lying about his resume to get his first bar job to now operating one of the best whiskey bars in America, John Chesney of Slightly Toasted shares his story of bartending. John stirs a delicious barrel-aged old-fashioned for this episode and highlights his curiosity for barrel-aging cocktails and blending whiskey.

Guest: John Chesney

Host: Jake Hukee

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Antonio and I get right into shaking up a cocktail with Song Cai Roselle Gin. Antonio runs the bar at Cultivate by Forbidden Root. His bar program and the restaurant are a couple of the best on the North Side of the city, but the Cultivate remains one of the hidden gems of Chicago’s food scene. Antonio shares his 17 years of experience in the restaurant industry and how he’s curated his bar program based on his culinary background.

Guest: Antonio Moreno

Hosts: Jake Hukee

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Key In The Lake

Antonio and I get right into shaking up a cocktail with Song Cai Roselle Gin. Antonio runs the bar at Cultivate by Forbidden Root. His bar program and the restaurant are a couple of the best on the North Side of the city, but the Cultivate remains one of the hidden gems of Chicago’s food scene. Antonio shares his 17 years of experience in the restaurant industry and how he’s curated his bar program based on his culinary background.

Guest: Antonio Moreno

Hosts: Jake Hukee

Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

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Live from Pizz’Amici, Gio shares his two years behind the bar at this coveted pizza joint in West Town. Gio’s ran the bar at Pizz’Amici since they opened their doors. He’s brought his amusing infectious personality of hospitality and humility to the restaurant. Gio shakes us a couple Strawberry Last Words for this episode while we reflect on his career in bartending in Chicago.

Guest: Sean "Gio" Giordano

Hosts: Jake Hukee

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John Chesney and Matt Brown join me for a recap of 300 episodes. We look back on the landscape of whiskey when I first began the podcast seven years ago and to where whiskey and consumer are heading now.

Hosts: Jake Hukee, Matt Brown and John Chesney

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Key In The Lake