I was born and raised outside of St. Louis, Missouri. I grew up on a farm and always had a passion for fresh produce. I have 4 siblings. I graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a degree in nutrition and attended The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. After Culinary School I worked at March in New York City. Two years later I moved to Chicago where I met my smart and beautiful wife and started to work for the famous Charlie Trotter’s restaurant, and then worked as the saucier at Ambria. We got married and moved to Hawaii for 1 year for her medical residency. There I worked pastry with two French brothers at Padovani’s Bistro and Wine Bar. We move back to Chicago and I landed a position at Everest Restaurant under Chef Jean Joho, from Alsace. At that time I was living in Ukranian Village in Chicago and we moved out to Hinsdale in 2002 with our first son, Lincoln, and for my wife’s job at Dupage Medical Group. During that time I was working at Blackbird, after years and many experiences I was ready to open my first restaurant, Vie in Western Springs in 2004. At Vie we cook seasonally, source locally, and utilize traditional methods of preservation. In 2014 I opened Vistro in Hinsdale, which was re-concepted to Vistro Prime, a neighborhood steakhouse in early 2021. Thanks to my wife, she introduced me to Japanese okonomiyaki, as she lived one year near Osaka, Japan, which is the birthplace for that dish. After years of working on the recipes in November, 2019 we opened Gaijin, the first okonomiyaki restaurant in Chicago. Serving both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese pancake.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Jennifer who’s a doctor, and two sons Lincoln 21 years old and he’s a Junior at George Washington University at D.C., and Zane is Freshman at Chapman University in Orange, California. My in-laws Al and Gail live in the area as well. My parents still live in St Louis.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Maybe open another Vistro Prime Steakhouse in other locations. But we really want to open a couple of more Gaijin in the Chicago area and then take it across the country. I love to cook for people so they can not only feel good but they can enjoy life while they are eating great food.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Page’s, I still go there once or twice a week.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
This year is our 20th year to live in Hinsdale and 18 years ago I opened Vie in Western Springs.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to go back to Japan, look for inspiration and go to okonomiyaki restaurants. I want to meet more people and make more connections.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love the movie Halloween, and any scary movies. Or Jaws…
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be kind to people! Respect each other.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Travel more
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Grateful Dead , first original band who allowed the fans to record their live shows
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Page’s Restaurant always loved the food there, it’s american diner-style, we’ve been going there since we moved here. And I love the Fullersburg Woods too, as a nostalgic place.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I like to hang out with Snoop Dog, and would take him to Chicago for a big eating and drinking, party tour.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
It’s a beautiful town, so approachable. Love the homes, and the friendly people.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Maybe we will move back to the city, but my wife and I would love to live on or near water, close to the ocean or big lake
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am a coffee/espresso junky ….
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Kyoto, Japan it’s amazing city, with beautiful people and culture
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is April, for the spring flowers and my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because it’s about eating and drinking.
pril, and my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because it’s about eating and drinking.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My wife and kids
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and kids, but my staff and customers too.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffe, lilac
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfortable, cozy, warm
