We still think our mom’s the greatest cook in the game, but these ten Chicago female chefs give her a run for her money. (Sorry, Mom. It’s just that your green beans never quite tasted like Stephanie Izard’s.) Whether it’s Italian, Ethiopian, Indian or even just a breakfast pastry so perfect, you’ll never look at the world the same again, these are the ten women running the food game in town.
10 of Our Favorite Chefs in Chicago and, Yeah, They’re All Women
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Published Mar 6, 2017
Jeff Marini
Iliana Regan Of Elizabeth Restaurant
The foraging fanatic recently opened up a new spot, Kitsune, serving Japanese pub fare—which translates to some of the best ramen you’ve ever had.
4835 N. Western Ave.; 773-681-0651 or elizabeth-restaurant.com
Stephanie Izard, Inc.
Stephanie Izard Of Girl And The Goat
This Top Chef can do anything: small plates (Girl and the Goat), diner food (Little Goat), dim sum (Duck Duck Goat)….but it’s her simple sautéed green beans dish at Girl and the Goat that wins us over every time.
809 W. Randolph St.; 312-492-6262 or girlandthegoat.com
Floriole
Sandra Holl Of Floriole Cafe & Bakery
Even if you haven’t visited Floriole, you’ve probably tasted its pastries at coffee shops across the city. Holl is just that good.
1220 W. Webster Ave.; 773-883-1313
Galdones Photography
Sarah Grueneberg Of Monteverde
We didn’t need more reasons to love pasta, but Grueneberg gave us some with her cacio whey pepe. (The “whey” is the ricotta…mmm.)
1020 W. Madison St.; 312-888-3041 or monteverdechicago.com
@iamhalabala/instagram
Hema Potla Of Hema’s Kitchen
Whether on Devon Avenue or Clark Street, Potla serves up some of the city’s best Indian.
2411 N. Clark St.; 773-529-1705 or hemaskitchenonclark.com
HotChocolate
Mindy Segal Of Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
Head to Bucktown to meet the reigning Cookie Queen. Her hearty American mains aren’t bad, either.
1747 N. Damen Ave.; 773-489-1747 or hotchocolatechicago.com
Philip Dembinski
Jill Barron Of Mana Food Bar
At Mana Food Bar, Barron proves that vegetarian food is sexier than just alfalfa sprouts.
1742 W. Division St.; 773-342-1742 or manafoodbar.com
Felicia Saade
Nicole Bayani Of Presidio
From Tru to Scofflaw and now Presidio, Bayani’s built up an impressive résumé and even more impressive pork shank with bacon-braised greens.
1749 N. Damen Ave.; 773-697-3315 or presidiochicago.com
Cory Dewald Photography
Beverly Kim Of Parachute
Nearly three years since opening, the 40-seat Korean-American eatery is still getting buzz. (Well, considering how yum the pork belly and mung bean pancakes are, of course it is.)
3500 N. Elston Ave.; 773-654-1460 or parachuterestaurant.com
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Tigist Reda Of Demera
After sopping up her Ethiopian stews with spongy injera, we’re not sure we could (or even want to) go back to fork and knife.
4801 N. Broadway St.; 773-334-8787 or demeraethiopian.com
