Step Up’s Chef Chat features discussions with Chicago’s top chefs who will be offering exclusive tastings at the August 11 culinary event, Shine & Dine, benefiting Step Up’s programs that ignite girls to fulfill their potential. Today’s edition highlights Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Sunday Dinner Club, Christine Cikowski and Joshua Kulp.
Christine Cikowski
You’re starving — what’s the first thing you reach for? Mise en place in my kitchens. I’m notorious for pinching snacks off the line. The habit is hard to kick – and has mixed responses from my cooks.
What’s your signature dish? Honey Butter Fried Chicken – fried chicken. Sunday Dinner Club – I’d say cassoulet, burgers or rossejat. My home – breakfast taco.
When you’re not in the kitchen, what’s your recipe for relaxing? I love making pasta with a simple, spicy red sauce.
I think the next big trend in food will be…Small, very focused concepts that appeal to a wider, more casual diner.
My first job was…At a record store. I blew every paycheck on music. It was glorious.
When I was 15 I was…A lover of food, music, travel and experiences. So not much as changed.
My mentor is…As a chef, Paul Kahan. He gave me my first kitchen job, laid the foundation of what my work was to become and sets a good example in the culinary community of how to balance a personal and professional life. As a business person and a human, Ari Weinzweig. He is a partner/founder at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and continually inspires me through his books, business practices and occasional chats over coffee.
Something that inspires me is…People. My staff, my friends, my family, the people who eat at my restaurants. The most inspiring moments of my life have come from meeting and connecting with inspiring people.
Joshua Kulp
You’re starving — what’s the first thing you reach for? Pizza – I’m a sucker for good pizza.
What’s your signature dish? Pasta – carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, or just a simple tomato sauce.
When you’re not in the kitchen, what’s your recipe for relaxing? Relax? I’m not good at that at all. I do love finding small cabin-like getaways to spend some time with my wife and my dog.
I think the next big trend in food will be…The return of the restauranteur as a host and friend. I think that people want to feel connected and places that know your name and likes and dislikes mean something and make you feel better about the world.
My first job was…Selling video games at Babbage’s Software – had to wear a tie.
When I was 15 I was…Wearing sweatpants, had a mullet, thick glasses, and ate Oreos like they were going out of business.
My mentor is…I have many. Chef friends who always have a word of advice and support; my brother who keeps me and my family laughing no matter what; my wife who shows me what loyalty and love are all about. My family, my business partners, my staff – they all teach me and show me the way every day.
Something that inspires me is…The farmer’s markets – everyday is a new day – a new chance to try something new or improve something old.
Christine Cikowski and Joshua Kulp founded the community-driven Sunday Dinner Club in 2005. Over the last decade, they have carved out a unique place in the Chicago chef and dining community. SDC has received praise from media and critics alike – Christine and Josh were the proud recipients of a Chicago Tribune 2014 Dining Award. Chicago Magazine’s Penny Pollack is most recently quoted as saying their Tribute to Marcella Hazan Dinner was her favorite meal of 2013. And Sunday Dinner Club is listed in Zagat’s 10 Most Innovative Restaurants in Chicago, despite not being a restaurant.
Born out of SDC’s annual fried chicken dinners, the two chefs opened their first brick and mortar restaurant, Honey Butter Fried Chicken, along with partners Jen Mayer and Chris Jennings, in August of 2014 to critical acclaim. Their restaurant has been recognized as a top destination restaurant in Chicago by Chicago Magazine, New City, Eater, Time Out Chicago, Chicagoist, Thrillist, Tasting Table, Daily Candy and Zagat. Their progressive business practices have been documented on The Huffington Post’s The Third Metric. The restaurant was most recently featured on ABC’s The Chew, WGN’s Chicago’s Best, ABC’s The Hungry Hound, NBC’s First Look. The chefs gave a moving keynote speech about building their food-focused businesses at the 2013 Creative Chicago Expo. Their writings have been featured in Chicago Magazine, Chicagoist and on Ruhlman.com.
Leave a comment for the chefs below and be sure to purchase your Shine & Dine ticket to join us on August 11!
(Updated from the original, on Friday, July 8, 2016)
