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Food Stories

Joe Frillman smiles in front of a bookcase next to a logo for Chicago Chef Picks

Chicago Chef Picks: Joe Frillman of Daisies on His Favorite Spots in the City

Joe Frillman of the ever-popular Midwest Italian restaurant Daisies shares some of his favorite places to eat, shop for ingredients, and entertain in the Chicago area.

A woman in a Cubs hat smiles and holds up a large circular pan of sausage pizza

Freddy's Pizza – And the People Who Have Made It Wonderful Over the Decades

Giuseppe and Ann Marie Quercia met while Ann Marie was picking up pizzas from Freddy's and Giuseppe was working. Decades later, they still run it together with warm hospitality, creating lifelong memories and relationships with customers.

Rufus Estes in a black and white portrait

Born into Slavery, Rufus Estes Became One of the First Black Cookbook Authors and Served Presidents

Rufus Estes served presidents, a princess, and world-famous musicians as a chef on Pullman cars before becoming one of the first Black authors to publish a cookbook, which offers a glimpse at a bygone era of dining.

A chicken sandwich and soy sauce chicken side by side

As Chinatown Expands, Can Old-School Cantonese Restaurants Survive?

Restaurants serving cuisines from around China keep popping up in Chinatown's neighboring Bridgeport, which Henry Cai of 3 Little Pigs celebrates – but he worries that the Cantonese restaurants he grew up with might disappear.

A spread of Korean dishes on a table seen from overhead

A New Homestyle Korean Restaurant in West Town Is a Tribute to Siblings' Mother and Grandmother

Mister Tiger features the homestyle Korean cooking Charlie Park and Min Lee grew up eating, now prepared by Lee based on her memories. It will also feature a bar with Korean alcohols and fun cocktails like one inspired by Tiger Balm.

A James Beard Award on a ribbon against a white backdrop

Chicago's 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists

Chicago has 22 semifinalists in the "Oscars of food" this year, including in new beverage categories. The Awards will be announced in Chicago in June. 

Veggie tacos with lime laid out on dark wood cutting board

Recipes

A hand dips a cracker into a dish of cheesy dip

Cheesy Crab Dip for Your Super Bowl Party from 'Homemade Live!'

If you're looking for a new ooey-gooey, warm, addicting dip in which to indulge during the Super Bowl, we've got one from Seattle chef Joel Gameron.

A plate of cherry jam tarts

Lidia Bastianich's Cherry Jam Tart

Try a cherry tart from Lidia Bastianich that uses pre-made cherry preserves, saving you some time and effort.

A drink topped with a cinnamon stick and mint

A Horchata Mocktail Recipe from Erick Williams' New Tequila- and Mezcal-Focused Cocktail Lounge

Erick Williams' Cantina Rosa in Hyde Park celebrates tequila and mezcal, but also offers thoughtful non-alcoholic options like the Horchata Fizz, which you can make at home.

A creamy cocktail in a coupe class with a purple flower on top

A Vibrant, Latin-Inspired Non-Alcoholic Cocktail for Dry January

Thanks to non-alcoholic agave spirits, you can enjoy a sunny mocktail with this recipe from the new Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park restaurant Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval.

A cake on a cake stand with a slice taken out revealing layers of blueberry jam, frosted on the outside in a purple ombre gradation

Our Most Popular Recipes of 2024

Comfort seemed to be the through-line of our most viewed recipes this year, whether it was a simple dish or an elaborate classic that still warmed the home and heart.

A bowl of Hoppin' John on a table between plates and glasses

Make the Porky Rice-and-Peas Hoppin' John for New Year's Day, with Help from 'Cook's Country'

The porky rice-and-pea dish Hoppin' John is often eaten on New Year's Day in the South. Try Cook's Country's adaptation of Gullah Geechee cook Emily Meggett's original version. 

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Food Series

Alpana Sing at Check, Please! table

Check, Please!

The Emmy-winning local restaurant review series from WTTW Chicago features host, master sommelier, and restaurateur Alpana Singh sitting down with three “regular person” guest reviewers as they compare notes on their experiences at three Chicago-area eateries.

Won Kim holding spray-painting concrete wall outside

Chefs Off the Clock

Discover the ways Chicago’s celebrity chefs unwind after they clock out of the kitchen. Get to know another side of these interesting personalities who — while known for their passion and work ethic in the kitchen — are fascinating and passionate people in their personal lives as well.

Woman in restuarant at POS register

FOODPHILES

Meet the people who feed you. This digital takes you into the kitchen, behind the bar, and into the field to introduce you to a chef or restaurateur who prepares food and libations as they share their personal stories and insights about the meaning of their work, how they got into the hospitality business, and why they have such a passion for what they do.

Geoffrey Baer eating Chicago-style hot dog at bar and looking at camera

Foods of Chicago

Join Geoffrey Baer as he plays both taste tester and tour guide, exploring the little-known stories behind Chicago's favorite foods! Along this delectable journey, learn how the Chicago-style hot dog came into being, discover the connection between Al Capone and Jay's Potato Chips, take a tour down Chicago's New Maxwell Street Market, learn about the birth of the classic SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE "cheezborger" routine from the Billy Goat tavern, and so much more!

Sarah Grueneberg

Dishalicious

This cooking demonstration program filmed before a live audience in WTTW's Grainger Studio is hosted by Sarah Grueneberg, James Beard award-winning chef/owner of Chicago's Monteverde and runner-up on "Iron Chef" and "Iron Chef Gauntlet." Each week, Sarah is joined by three extraordinary local chefs who band together to prepare a unique meal.

Illustration of apples with eyes and mouths on apple tree being picked off by child

Food Thoughts

Healthy eating and food education are essential to preparing the very youngest members of our community for school and life. Pilot Light and WTTW team up to encourage healthy eating with FOOD THOUGHTS, an animated series of videos for kids and families. Puppy chef host “Puprika” joins a diverse group of children and families to visit their homes, gardens, farms, and schools.

Food News