Joiners

Episode #105 - Ria Neri of Whiner Beer and Four Letter Word

This week, we sit down with Ria Neri, the creative force behind the acclaimed Four Letter Word Coffee and a certified Cicerone with an unwavering passion for craft beer, made crystal clear by her founding of Whiner Beer Company. Inspired by the vibrant coffee culture in Istanbul, Ria and her partners opened their first café on Burgaz Island before bringing their vision to Chicago. Ria shares the fascinating origin of the Four Letter Word name, their journey to creating a haven for coffee lovers in Logan Square, and her love for both beer and coffee. We also learn how a simple excuse to travel can turn into a thriving business and get to the bottom of the distinction between gose and gueuze (yes, they're different kinds of beer.) This is an episode you don't want to miss: Ria is a true connoisseur of sensory experiences, and it's clear that she loves to share her passion. 

Episode #104 - Adam Pollack of Closed Loop Farms

This week, we speak to another member of the growing Highland Park mafia — Adam Pollack, a cook turned farmer, responsible for supplying some of the best restaurants in the city. Adam grows his produce right here in the heart of Chicago at Closed Loop Farms. He tells us about his journey, from discovering his passion for food and fresh ingredients, and ultimately expanding his culinary horizons by learning how to grow his own produce. We dig deep into the soil with this one, exploring the art and science of urban farming and how it's reshaping our city's culinary landscape.

Episode #103 - Kevin Beary of Three Dots and a Dash

Do tropical drinks actually make for gnarly hangovers? What have been the major advancements in distilling in the last century? What happens when a college kid has drink-slinging know-how and unfettered access to booze? In this week’s episode of Joiners, we explore big questions with none other than Kevin Beary, the sagacious beverage director behind River North tiki treasure Three Dots and a Dash. He tells us about his journey from underage bartending in Philadelphia to working towards his master’s degree in distilling science. Listen now for a history of the perennial tiki fascination, a deep dive into what makes good rum, beverage direction wisdom, and much more.

Episode #102 - Cecily Federighi of Pizz'amici

For our latest episode, we sit down with the inimitable Cecily Federighi to explore her fascinating path from the fashion world to the culinary scene. Cecily takes us through her early days being scouted at Six Flags as a teen, globe-trotting adventures in the modeling world, and learning the ins and outs of the restaurant industry from the ground up with Eat Free Pizza. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from opening Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream with Ed Marszewski and Won Kim, the joys and challenges of taking over an old school pizza joint with Kim’s Uncle Pizza in Westmont, and her latest venture -- Pizz’amici in West Town. Along the way, we dive into the nitty gritty of dough hydration, the perfect martini, an impassioned defense of Taco Bell, and as always, so much more.   

Episode #101 - Christopher Gerber of Smyth & The Loyalist

For episode 101, we are sitting down for a master class on hospitality with one of its most innovative and fastidious practitioners. Chris Gerber is a front-of-house guru whose attention to detail and commitment to guests at places like Trio, Alinea, and currently Smyth + The Loyalist have helped earn those establishments scores of well-deserved accolades, including a third Michelin star for Smyth. He comes to the studio to tell us all about how he helped manifest such a coveted title, what Jeff Buckley taught him about excellence, going the extra mile to give guests an unforgettable experience, and so much more.

Episode #100 - Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat

This week, we’re ringing in our 100th episode the only way we know how: exploring the world of hospitality by chatting with its most colorful characters. This week, our tagline is especially appropriate — we sit down with the multitalented, accomplished, and vibrant Stephanie Izard, whose list of accolades is as impressive as it is long. She opened her first restaurant when she was only 27, bested her competition on Top Chef to take home the top prize, and now runs a quartet of celebrated restaurant in the city —Girl & the Goat (which earned her a James Beard award in 2013), Duck Duck Goat, Little Goat and Cabra. She comes to the studio to spill the tea on the Top Chef experience, espouse the value of constructive criticism, reminisce about working at Olive Garden, and — as we’ve made sure of for 100 episodes — so much more.

Episode #99 - Danny Wirtz of The Chicago Blackhawks

This week, we’ve brought in an owner who just might handle more covers per night of service than anyone else in town. In this episode, Danny Wirtz, the fourth-generation owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, joins the crew to discuss everything from growing up in the northern suburbs to the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment in the city. Danny shares his passion for music, his experiences working in the industry, and how those lessons have shaped his approach to running the family business. He also dives into the nitty-gritty of brand building, both in the beverage industry with Breakthru Beverage Group and in the world of professional hockey. Tune in for some incredible stories, like: Danny's month-long stay in the Edmonton "bubble" during the 2020 NHL playoffs; the unforgettable Stanley Cup celebrations in Chicago; the time Ministry recorded a Blackhawks team song (that never quite made it to the arena speakers), and so much more.

Episode #98 - Christian Hunter of Atelier

Chef Christian Hunter may be new to Chicago, but he's already making waves in the city's culinary scene as the inventive talent behind Atelier, where he and his dynamic team recently earned their first Michelin star. In this episode, Christian shares his journey from his early days experimenting in the kitchen to his time at culinary school and his rise through the ranks of the restaurant industry. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of opening Atelier and creating an accessible yet extraordinary 12-course tasting menu experience. Christian also dives into his creative process, his focus on seasonal ingredients, how he accommodates dietary restrictions without compromising flavor or experience, and so much more.

Episode #97 - Adam Meyer of Brasero

This week, Tim and Danny are joined by Adam Meyer, the Chef de Cuisine at Brasero and John Manion's trusted right-hand man. Adam shares his inspiring journey of thrusting himself into the world of food at a young age. He discusses his time at The Bristol before the pandemic hit, and how he's now working alongside Manion to develop inventive South American cuisine at Brasero. Also: a New Year's Eve service gone awry at The Bristol, celebrity crushes, pro-tips for cooking steak to impress your friends, and so much more.

Episode #96 - Donnie Madia of One Off Hospitality

In a very special episode of Joiners, we start things out by sitting in studio with Donnie Madia. He’s a man who needs no introduction, but in case you’ve been predisposed for a few decades: he’s the James Beard Award-winning powerhouse behind acclaimed institutions like Blackbird, avec, The Publican, The Violet Hour, Big Star, and so much more — and maybe you recognize him from The Bear, where he delivered a powerful monologue that encapsulates the gritty hospitality thesis statement of the city we call home. And in a Joiners first, we take the Gratuity Round out of the studio, doing it live in front of a crowd at a special dinner at Publican Quality Meats prepared by former guest of the pod Rob Levitt, John Manion, and Mindy Segal. This in an episode you don’t want to miss.