Joiners

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. 

Episode #72 - Joe Frillman of Daisies

This week's guest, Joe Frillman, cultivated his passion for seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine from an early age. As the executive chef and owner of Daisies in Chicago's Logan Square, Frillman emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients on the restaurant's vegetable-focused and pasta-driven menu. In our conversation, Frillman gives us the origin story behind Daisies, explaining how the pandemic pushed him to diversify revenue streams by expanding into bakery and cafe offerings. He also shares insights on topics like staff training, switching to a service charge model, and some of his formative experiences working under culinary masters.

Episode #71 - Derrick Tung of Paulie Gee’s

This week's guest, Derrick Tung, dreamed of a life as a muscle-bound sanitation worker in his youth. But we're delighted his trajectory led him to his current role as pizza potentate instead. As the award-winning owner of Paulie Gee's in both Wicker Park and Logan Square, Derrick is responsible for some of the city’s most inventive and mouthwatering wood-fired pies. In our wide-ranging conversation, we go deep on the alchemy of pizza perfection. Derrick lifts the veil on the Paulie Gee's franchise experience, doles out tips for DIY pizza glory at home, and so much more. Plus: stick around for one of our most spirited gratuity rounds ever, in which Derrick spins an elaborate death row meal that would test the patience of even the most seasoned executioner. 

Episode #70 - Oliver Poilevey of Le Bouchon, Obélix, and Taqueria Chingón

This week, we are so excited to have Chef Oliver Poilevey, chef/owner at Le Bouchon, Taqueria Chingón, and Obélix, join the podcast. Oliver started washing dishes at his father's restaurant at age 13. After briefly attending culinary school and working abroad, he returned to work at Le Bouchon in his 20s, eventually taking over as head chef. A low-key master of his craft, Oliver talks about coming into his own as a chef while working alongside his father, shares stories from working in kitchens in France, and describes opening Taqueria Chingón during the pandemic. Plus: he hints at plans for a new restaurant concept coming soon to Chicago. 

Episode #69 - Maggie Hennessy, Food and Drink Journalist

Maggie Hennessy, a writer known for whimsical and observational stories about food, joins the pod to discuss her career and experiences on the literary side of the Chicago culinary scene. Maggie details her journey from business writing to becoming a freelance food journalist, and the importance of relentlessly practicing writing every day. She shares thoughts on the current state of food media, including the rise of social platforms and AI-generated content, and the role writers play in shaping the landscape. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at pitching stories, dealing with online comments, and tailoring pieces for a range of publications. Plus: glassware preferences, (more) damage control for MSG, and movies where kids run the show.

Episode #68 - Doug Psaltis of Eat Well Hospitality

This week, we're joined by acclaimed chef Doug Psaltis, who has worked in some of the world's most prestigious kitchens alongside legendary chefs. As a partner at Lettuce Entertain You, Doug opened some of Chicago's hottest restaurants, including RPM Italian, Bub City Chicago, Three Dots & A Dash tiki lounge, and more. Now at Eat Well Hospitality, he brings decades of experience combined with an infectious enthusiasm for hospitality. Doug reflects on lessons learned from mentors like Keller and Ducasse, the importance of culture and team, and a back-to-basics approach he champions today. He shares insights into his latest projects like Andros Taverna and Asador Bastion, staying true to his ethos of impeccable sourcing and heartfelt service. Join us for a wide-ranging exploration of a life richly lived in restaurants.

Episode #67 - Chris Blatner of Urban Bourbonist

This week, we're treated to an effervescent conversation with Instagram's Urban Bourbonist, Chris Blatner. Chris, who started his journey into the world of bourbon in 2019, regales us with his boundless passion for all things whiskey, inviting everyone along on his voyage of discovery. He tells us all about his initiation into the world of whiskey, schools us on bourbon mash bills and barrel aging, digs deep into the fascinating lore and stories behind heritage distilleries, and much more.

Episode #66 - Samantha Lee of Hopewell Brewing Co.

This week, we sit down with one of Chicago's preeminent beer insiders. Samantha Lee of Hopewell Brewing Co. takes us through the origin story of how she, her husband Stephen Bossu, and their friend Jonathan Fritz turned their college dream of launching their own brewery into a reality. We get a behind-the-scenes peek into scouting locations, securing loans, and creating an inclusive vibe. Her passion for ethical business practices shines through as Hopewell aims to perfect its craft while making positive change in the community. Pull up a chair, crack open a fresh can of Ride Or Die, and see what lessons this homegrown Chicago brewer has to share.
 
 

Episode #65 - Kosta Drosos of Fresh Market Place

If you need anything grocery-related, just give this week’s guest a call. Whether it’s fielding over 400 text messages at the dawn of Covid, surveying the neighborhood for interest in new products, or doing some personal shopping for Tim’s mom, Kosta Drosos is a model of hospitality in the grocery lane, and Fresh Market Place, the independent store he manages in Bucktown, is a community institution. We go deep on process and procedure this episode: the tricky margins of grocery, surpassing customer expectations, and the invaluable — if often overlooked — role of grocers in the culinary scene. Plus: we suss out Tim’s dad’s suspiciously meager yield of goat meat.