A Lifelong Love Affair

Really, it started at birth. I was one of those weird little kids that liked absolutely everything anyone put in front of me. I was eating shrimp cocktail at age 3 and loving it. And when I love things, I REALLY love them. My family still laughs about how, when accidentally let loose near the serving table at a family party at age 4, I filled an entire plate with every olive available before someone noticed me teetering around with my stash. I knew what I wanted: olives, every kind, and in mass quantity.

I come from a pretty classic meat-and-potatoes Chicago Irish family, who generally believes more in eating to live than living to eat. Suffice to say, I was a little freak from the start. But I was a freak whose fabulous family never failed to support the little alien they'd somehow produced. And fortunately for me, I had a foodie mentor and willing restaurant companion in my mom's sister, Peggy. Always an exception to the family rule herself, she loves to eat and will try absolutely anything. Her adventurous spirit knows no bounds, which is a source of constant inspiration for me. I loved going to eat with Peggy and feeling challenged to try whatever she did -- and I still do. 

My father has also been a major influence in my life as a foodie. He comes from a long line of phenomenal cooks and he has one of the best palates I've ever seen. The man can taste any dish and know exactly what's in it. He can then recreate the dish at home. It's nothing short of amazing and his ability to tinker with recipes has inspired me to be daring when I'm the one in the kitchen. That said, an extra special thanks goes to my mother, who although she couldn't care less about food herself, has supported my passion so much over the years that she found herself cutting out recipes that she (rightly) thought I'd like to try and then helping me execute them in the kitchen -- jokingly referring to herself as my sous chef.

But my obsession with food -- and culinary education -- was taken to the next level when I got to know the true foodie part of my family out in San Francisco. I had never experienced people who knew and loved food and wine and cocktails in the way that these people do. And not surprisingly, they are so much fun! 

My unendingly kind and generous great-aunt Pat and cousin Shannon took me under their wings when I was doing a year-long volunteer program in San Francisco after I graduated from college. They introduced me to the most wonderful restaurants in SF and taught me so much about food, wine and spirits along the way. They guided me on a year-long love affair with their city and opened my eyes to all of the greatest culinary creations it had to offer. Shannon also introduced me to her good friend, James Beard award-winning chef, TV personality and cookbook author Joanne Weir, who was always an amazing dining companion and was even wonderful enough to let me share a kitchen with her. Literally, it was one of the highlights of my life.

At the end of my year out west, I was sad to leave one of the culinary capitals of the world. I love San Francisco and my family/friends there, but couldn't fight the irresistible pull to return home to my city, always sweet home Chicago. When I got back, I started looking for a job in advertising and while I was hunting, did something else I'd always wanted to do. I got a job in the bar industry here.

I already had some serving experience under my belt from my college days, but was thrilled to begin tending bar at Blue Bayou on Southport. I loved bartending: learning the classics and then experimenting with them to add my own personal touches. Working with some extremely experienced bartenders, I learned how to craft cocktails and to pour a perfect Guinness. Invaluable skills, right? In all seriousness, the most important lessons I learned had to do with balance and the use of high quality ingredients in the best cocktails.

Back in the Chi, I was also reunited with the original foodie in my life. Peggy continued to let me know about the newest/coolest restaurants and bars and of course, asked if I'd like to check them out with her. Thanks to Peggy -- and her fabulous foodie husband Bill -- I'd been to quite a few of Chicago's burgeoning culinary gems. And I'd become an addict. I was constantly looking for the next big thing or unexpected neighborhood stand-out -- and had started stalking all sorts of publications and websites in order to make sure I was on top of my game.

Suddenly, people -- even Peggy -- were emailing me and asking about restaurant recommendations for various occasions. I was flattered -- and thrilled to make suggestions. I love sharing the joy an amazing meal brings me with others and sharing my passion for great food, drinks and entertaining with anyone who cares to listen. So at the urging of a few of my favorite former colleagues and friends, Mega Bites Chicago was born.

The city has a tremendous wealth of restaurant options -- from fine dining to authentic ethnic experiences to neighborhood favorites that look like little more than holes in the wall. I love participating in all of these dramatically different dining adventures, often set within only blocks of one another. 

Chicago's rapidly becoming a real culinary powerhouse -- one of the greatest food cities on earth. Take advantage of that; it is truly cause for celebration. Special thanks to all of my friends, family and co-workers, who are always willing to engage in this celebration with me. I am so lucky that I'm never lacking good company to join me for a meal or a night out on the town. (Nor do I lack wonderful people who care enough to help me by shamelessly promoting this blog aka my foodie ramblings.)

On that note, I'll leave you with a few life lessons I've learned from food thus far: 

Always eat, drink and be merry. Never be afraid to try new places and things. Bring people you love. Take pleasure in the small things and don't hesitate to linger over a meal, have another glass and experience everything to the fullest. It's absolutely the best way to go through life. 

Cheers -- and buen provecho!

3 comments:

  1. Speaking for your maternal side, some of us DO live to eat - SWEETS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. haha, I stand corrected, Mom. Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey I'm organizing a little Chicago food/drink bloggers' get-together and it would be great if you could join! I can't find your email address though so please get in touch via http://www.passportdelicious.com or on Twitter @kristainchicago

    Thanks!
    Krista

    ReplyDelete