Joiners

Episode #82 - Matt Edgar of Pineapple Audio

In this episode of Joiners, we interview Pineapple Audio founder and CEO Matt Edgar, an expert in hospitality audio with an ear for how sound can enhance spaces and experiences. Matt shares his journey from touring musician to becoming one of the top names behind sound systems in hotels, restaurants, bars, and other venues across the globe. In a wide-ranging conversation, Matt provides an inside look at creating memorable sonic identities for hospitality brands through a blend of audio art and science. Featuring: sleeping in vans, balancing music with conversation, the future of audio, and so much more. Plus: Tim provides some much-needed clarification around the Tierney Split. 

Episode #81 - Ari Bendersky, Food & Drink Writer

This week, journalist Ari Bendersky joins us to discuss his career covering food, wine, spirits, and travel in Chicago. Ari reflects on his time as founding editor of Eater Chicago during the golden age of food media in the city, when he competed with outlets like Time Out Chicago while cultivating an underground network of insiders feeding him scoops. Ari digs deep into his newsletter Something Glorious, a recent passion project where he writes about wine, cocktails, restaurants, and adventures abroad. Conversation also touches on Chicago's underrated suburban dining scene, the next era of Asian-inspired steakhouses in the city, building his freelance writing process around discovering and telling people's stories, and as always, so much more. 

Episode #80 - Jeff Donahue of Heisler Hospitality

Jeff Donahue, Vice President of Operations at Heisler Hospitality, joins us to discuss his long career in Chicago's hospitality scene. Jeff reflects on formative experiences at renowned restaurants like Fogo de Chão, Nacionale 27, and The Aviary, as well as lessons learned from mentors like Adam Seger and Grant Achatz. He explains the inspiration behind concepts like Sportsman's Club, Big Kids, and Estereo, which he created alongside creative partner Wade McElroy. Jeff also reveals details on upcoming Heisler projects like Friends of Friends in West Town and Lobo Pizza's third location in the West Loop. We talk about what makes a good barback, serving Dustin Hoffman, hidden gems in the often overlooked Dunning neighborhood, and so much more. 

Episode #79 - Erling Wu-Bower of Underscore Hospitality

This week, Chef Erling Wu-Bower discusses his storied career in Chicago dining and the highly-anticipated opening of his new restaurant, Maxwells Trading, in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor. Erling reflects on formative experiences at renowned restaurants Publican, avec, Nico Osteria, and Pacific Standard Time, as well as lessons learned from mentors like Rick Bayless and Paul Kahan. With Maxwells Trading, which he's opening this winter alongside business partner Josh Tilden, he aims to cook "intimately personal cuisine" that incorporates his broad culinary influences, from Chinese and Thai to rustic Italian. Plus: after some culinary confusion, Tim conjures an accurate metaphor for sous-vide meat.

Episode #78 - Kevin Boehm of BOKA Restaurant Group

This week we are thrilled to be joined by restaurant legend Kevin Boehm, co-founder of the acclaimed BOKA Restaurant Group. With over 30 years in the business and 40 concepts launched, Boehm has countless insights and stories to share from his winding journey to becoming an award-winning hospitality icon. He takes us through the exhilarating early days, opening ambitious restaurants in different cities, enduring homelessness and fist fights along the way, before eventually forming an indomitable partnership with Rob Katz in Chicago. We learn about game-changing hinge points in growing BOKA group, prioritizing chef-driven creativity, the efficacy of a grassroots approach, and so much more.

Episode #77 - Christine Cikowski of Honey Butter Fried Chicken

This week, join us for a spirited conversation with Christine Cikowski. Along with her business partner Josh Kulp, she's the chef and co-owner behind the legendary Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Chicago. She tells us about how the Sunday Dinner Club, a multi-course dining experience, was a perfect canvas for their playful, seasonal approach to cooking, and the genesis for HBFC. Also: We chat about how she went from being a musician to finding her calling in the kitchen, starting out at Blackbird, the importance of diversifying your creative expression, and more.

Episode #76 - Anna Posey of Elske

Joiners listeners probably know Anna Posey as the pastry chef and visionary behind the dessert menu at Elske, the contemporary American restaurant she co-owns with her husband David Posey in the West Loop. Elske opened in 2016 and channels Anna and her husband’s philosophy of simplicity coupling seasonal ingredients with energetic hospitality. Anna came into pastry with a background in art and design, having studied painting and drawing at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design – and her artistic sensibility and process shine through in her craft. She comes to the studio to tell us about her journey, how she combines classic techniques with a modern vision, Elske's evolving menu, and so much more.

Episode #75 - Zach Engel of Galit

This week, we hear from Zach Engel, Executive Chef and co-owner of Galit, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Lincoln Park that just retained its much-deserved Michelin Star. Zach discusses opening Galit in 2019 to showcase his experience with Middle Eastern cuisine. He talks about his focus on Middle Eastern wines, building relationships with winemakers, and training staff on ingredients and techniques less common stateside. Throughout the episode, Zach thoughtfully reflects on his James Beard award, surviving as a new restaurant during the pandemic, the realities of running a successful restaurant in Chicago, and so much more.

Episode #74 - Billy Helmkamp of The Whistler and Sleeping Village

This week, we get an inside look at the origin story and evolution of The Whistler bar in Chicago from co-owner Billy Helmkamp. He takes us through his early days in New York City, moving to Chicago and starting an arts collective, eventually leading to opening The Whistler in Logan Square in 2008. Billy shares anecdotes about pivoting to a major focus on craft cocktails with the help of Paul McGee, dealing with the trials of the first few years, and expanding the business to open music venue Sleeping Village. He reflects on building a local institution and community space, adapting through challenges like the pandemic, and pursuing his interest in architecture.

Episode #73 - Kristianna Smith of Land and Sea Dept

This week, we’re graced with insight into one of Chicago’s most dynamic restaurant groups from a woman who’s been with them from the start: Kristianna Smith was Land And Sea Dept’s first employee, and after helping them grow for over ten years, she’s got stories to tell and wisdom to share. With a clear zeal for bringing unconventional ideas to life, she tell us about projects like LSD’s first independent restaurant, Parson's Chicken & Fish, as well as the historic Chicago Athletic Association Hotel where they operate multiple restaurants. Plus: we talk managing egos, homemade perfume, oyster-loving children, and so much more.