This Week’s Episode: Gather, ATK, Gorditas Aguascalientes

Hello! It’s great to be back! The past months while we were on hiatus I was keeping busy writing, traveling, and preparing for the new season. It has been an extraordinary time for the culinary world in Chicago. In May the James Beard Foundation Awards will be held here for the first time since their inception. This is a BIG deal, and a major coup for our city. For those who aren’t familiar with the James Beard awards, they are the equivalent of the Oscars for the culinary industry. I’ve always believed we have one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the world and this move is proof that the rest of the nation is sitting up and taking notice. Second city, what?!

And not only is the new Check, Please! season premiering tonight, but I’m very proud to say I will be emceeing the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America benefit dinner as well. One of the world’s best chef’s, our very own Grant Achatz (Alinea), and award-winning chefs Sean Brock (Husk) and Thomas Lents (Sixteen) will prepare a meal for the attendees. I have a feeling we are in for a treat. Is it dinner time yet? I’ll be sure to include some pictures from the evening next week. In the meantime, I’ve included a behind-the-scenes shot from the production day at Gather restaurant in Lincoln Square, where you can find “upscale comfort food” as guest reviewer veterinarian Jane Lohmar describes it.

In other news, I have been appointed the executive director of my culinary school Kendall College’s charitable arm, the Kendall College Trust. Our mission is to provide need-based scholarships to culinary and hospitality students and I’m so excited to help others pursue careers in an industry that has played a monumental role in my life. And as we lead into the new season, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be a part of it.

Well, I’ll close by saying that I have settled into my place at the head of the table and have found my stride on Check, Please! I hope you all have as much fun watching the episodes as we had shooting them!

Thanks for all of the support through my first year and I look forward to another great season of exploring. See you tonight as we visit Gather, ATK, and Gorditas Aguascalientes.

Cheers,
Catherine