Chef Collabs

"If I'm ever stranded on a desert island with only three ingredients, I hope they are prosciutto, butter and a baguette. A baguette is the perfect bread because it has the best ratio of crisp crust to soft crumb.”

“Pretzels are a favorite savory snack for me for sure — but I love using them in desserts. Their saltiness really complements sweetness!”

"Macaroni is one of those shapes that you see and immediately think of your childhood. To me, the elbow is also a reminder to see the world through the eyes of a child, with innocence, curiosity, growth, and resilience."

"The extraordinary egg is my ingredient of choice, not only as it’s my favorite food and for its magical properties in the kitchen, but also for its relevance as a symbol of feminism, hope, and renewal."

"One of my favorite things about summer in Chicago is heading to the farmers market, grabbing an ear of just-picked sweet corn, and eating it raw as I wander through the rest of the market. The kernels are so sweet it's pretty much like eating candy."

"It's sweet, it’s umami, it's acidic. The tomato lends a beautiful base to so much that we as chefs and eaters hold dear."

The avocado is one of nature's perfect ingredients—simple, beautiful, and deeply rooted in the flavors and traditions of Venezuelan cuisine. Avocados remind me of my childhood and my home.

"I chose the chicken because of my restaurant Red Rooster. I named it after the original speakeasy on 138th in Harlem. From the 30s through the 60s, the Rooster was the place to be, and everyone was welcome. That’s what I try to make my Red Rooster today."

"It's an ingredient that my family used for both celebrations and everyday meals, and a staple across most of my food memories. Fried chicken in particular reminds me of my Grandma Thelma."

"Growing up, my mother used to make a simple tomato salad: garden-fresh tomatoes, a simple vinaigrette, and a hunk of bread. I feasted on all the sunshine the tomatoes had absorbed, and then I drank the vinaigrette at the bottom of the bowl. I still miss the tomatoes from my childhood.”