Our next guest is the Executive Chef and Owner of Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern and Packaged Goods, as well as Migos Fine Foods. He has successfully embedded southern comfort food into Chicago. We reflect on his journey from New Orleans to Miami and eventually landing in Chicago. We discuss the current state of the hospitality industry in Chicago as well as his long term goals that expand beyond being a chef. Brian is down to earth and generous. Please enjoy my conversation with Brian Jupiter.

https://www.migoschicago.com/

https://www.thefrontierchicago.com/

https://www.inamaetavern.com/

Our next guest traded eleven years at three Michelin-starred Alinea for something money can't buy: balance, agency, and intimacy. Simon Davies discovered this new path immediately after leaving Chicago's temple of molecular gastronomy as Executive Chef in January 2020, when he traveled to Jaipur, India for a project with Champagne house Krug. What started as a consulting venture, Ilixr Creative evolved into an exclusive private dining experience driven by organic demand from clients seeking something beyond the traditional restaurant model.

Simon embodies an intriguing duality—calm and measured, with unexpected flashes of playfulness that emerge in his work. I've witnessed this firsthand at his pop-ups at Verve Wine, where he's served elevated burgers alongside fine Burgundy—a delightful contradiction that perfectly captures his approach to hospitality. After more than a decade perfecting his craft in one of the world's most demanding kitchens, Simon has found his own voice in the intimate theater of private dining.

Please enjoy my conversation with Simon Davies, a chef who chose connection over convention.

https://www.ilixrcreative.com

https://www.instagram.com/ilixrcreative/

https://www.instagram.com/simon.a.davies

Our next guest is the Beverage Director at Esmé. He’s inquisitive, playful, and balanced. We reflect on his journey through hospitality from the earlier days at Burger King and Starbucks to earning his stripes at the now closed Claudia and eventually Esmé. In addition to directing the wine, cocktail, and nonalcoholic programs, he hosts a show called Balanced Hospitality and has managed to curate live recordings and host happy hours through it. Please enjoy my conversation with Stevan Miller.

https://www.instagram.com/stevanmatthewmiller/

https://www.instagram.com/balancedhospitality/

Our next guests are the partners of Motorshucker. A mobile oyster bar that currently pops up at places like Queen Mary Tavern, Easy Does It, and Bisous. You’ve seen photos and maybe even tried some of their seafood towers, crab rolls, or motormix fried peanuts. We reflect on their individual journeys and how they all came together. The trio perfectly complements each other while sharing the same passion and mission for access to high quality experiences for things like oysters. Please enjoy my conversation with Mico, Cub, and Jamie of Motorshucker.

https://www.motorshucker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/motorshucker

Our next guest is intuitive and ambitious. He hosts a modern Korean supper club experience called Haru Haru which means “day by day." The intimate nature of pop ups and private dinners allow him to hold space and tell stories that complement his food. We reflect on the support he’s received from his family and instructors in high school and Kendall College. Despite being a young leader, his curiosity and humility encourages his team to place trust in his vision. Please enjoy my conversation with Junho Lee.

https://www.instagram.com/junholee.hh/

https://www.instagram.com/haruharu.chicago

Our next guest is introspective and level-headed. He’s had an interest in men’s fashion and styling from an early age. He was on a successful path in collegiate basketball, but an ACL tear led him to reevaluate other interests. These days, he creates content to share his style and the lessons he’s learned. This community he’s built has led to personal styling consultations, brand deals, and collaborations on unique pieces. Please enjoy my conversation with Jabari Sandifer.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jabarisandifer

https://substack.com/@whereyourpantsbreak

https://www.instagram.com/jabarisandifer/

Our next guest is tenacious and thoughtful. She’s a mother of two boys and the Founder/Owner of Volition Tea. A specialty tea company that highlights single origin organic teas primarily from China. She’s double downed on the importance of traceability so the consumer can appreciate exactly where and when the tea they’re consuming was harvested. She yearned for peace at an early age as she entered boarding school and she’s maintained that balance as she navigates entrepreneurship, sustainability, and parenthood these days. Please enjoy my conversation with Annie Xiang.

https://www.volitiontea.com/

https://www.instagram.com/volitionteaco/

Our next guest is gentle, thoughtful, and courageous. He’s the owner of Thrd. Coffee Co. which is a coffee concierge service as well as a cafe in Bucktown. Despite a rough upbringing with school and family, he had a wake up call in his second attempt at 6th grade and eventually a coming of age in Bolivia after reconnecting with family and stumbling into the world of coffee. Upon returning to Holland, MI he started as a barista at Ferris Coffee and Nut Co. He honed his barista skills with Big Shoulders and his sales skills through Back of the Yards Coffee Co. and Tradecraft. The second half of the episode reflects on starting thrd. coffee co. and continuing to build its presence while planting the seeds for a meaningful personal life. Please enjoy my conversation with Raoul Adwan.

https://www.thrdcoffee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thrdcoffeeco