Episodes

Meet me LIVE-⬇️ LIVE - Supper with Sylvia Perez feat. Chef Curtis Duffy - After - Chicago, IL | Tock | Tock TODAY! Meet the powerhouse and visionary behind one of Chicago’s most beloved bakeries: Justice of the Pies. Sylvia chats with Maya-Camille Broussard, who shares how baking became her superpower—and how her late father's legacy, social equity, and a hunger for change shaped her mission. From crafting irresistible bourbon pecan pies to hosting workshops for underserved youth,...

In the age of social media it's all about influence, who has it, who wants it and how to get it. An influencer can make or break a business and for restauranteurs social media platforms provide a marketing experience that is both loved and loathed. On this episode of Supper with Sylvia, we go inside the life of two food influencers who reveal the secrets to attracting "clicks" and what's in it for them. "Black People Eats" is uniting communities through food and culture via You Tube, In...

Have you ever tried to get a reservation at your favorite restaurant and find yourself locked out? You’re not alone. Third party apps are squeezing out the ability to make a simple reservation at some of Chicago’s most popular restaurants, unless you want to shell out big bucks. The Illinois Restaurant Association’s Sam Toia joins Supper with Sylvia to talk about it and what's being done to combat the trend. Also, it’s that time of year, the annual James Beard Awards is upon us to crown the best...

A spicy margarita, a whiskey highball and the perfect summer gin and tonic. Great cocktails begin with great ingredients including top shelf liquor, but increasingly talented bartenders are turning their attention to the most basic of all ingredients… the ice. Crystal clear gourmet ice is the rage due to its pure taste and slow melt, and creating these cubes and spheres is as much of a science as it is an art. On this episode of Supper with Sylvia, the creator of Quari Ice talks about a hot summ...

What happens when two childhood friends grow up and become a biologist and an economist? They put their brains together to create a company that’s earth friendly and increasingly profitable while attracting some of Chicago’s top chefs. The magic Sean DiGioia and Joe Weber created is in the mushrooms, seven high quality varieties that are good for you and good for the planet, and they’re turning Fungi-phobics into big fans. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, see how these two guys fr...

Chicago's Jason Chan is a legendary restauranteur who makes his mark in classic French cuisine and built a reputation that has industry leaders seeking his expertise. His road to success was inspired by his parents' hard work and dreams of a successful future, even when competing ideas clashed. Jason Chan's story is one of perseverance, inner stregnth and adversity he turned into a lifetime of lessons in success. His remarkable journey lead to his latest venture, Gavroche, a cozy ...

What can you say about a guy whose favorite color is pastrami… Chicago’s Jeff Mauro is a chef with comedy chops and has become a much loved celebrity creation of the Food Network. He won a show and called it “Sandwich King” creating masterpieces like the Freddy Boombatz and the Pork Chop Sammy, all with a laugh and a side of giardiniera. Now Mauro is cultivating his latest creations with Mauro Provisions. Whether it’s Italian Beef or a burger, everything for Jeff Mauro is better between...

If you are a true ramen enthusiast, you’ve probably heard whispers of The Ramen Lord, but in Chicago those whispers turn into full blown reverence when the name Mike Satinover comes up. A self taught master of Japanese noodle science, Satinover spent years daydreaming and obsessing over the nuances of ramen. Now, he’s perfected everything from the silky handmade noodles to deeply layered broths and spices. On this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Satinover reveals a few little...

There’s no place like Chicago when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The river is a sea of bright green and the hallowed hum of bagpipes lead the annual parades. North side, south side, it’s all about the green beer and the scent of corned beef and cabbage wafting through Irish pubs across the city. This week the lines form early at Fado Irish Pub where purveyor Kieran Aherne keeps the Guinness flowing for the biggest celebration of the year. And then, Jason L...

The world looked on in shock three years ago as Russian bombs began killing and injuring the people of Ukraine. Thousands flooded the borders to escape with little or nothing but their lives. As photographs and videos emerged, a group of Chicago chefs got together to figure out a way to do what they do best, start cooking and feeding the thousands of refugees. In an extraordinary effort, Chicago chefs Tony Priolo and Sarah Stegner organized an effort with incredible sp...

Chicago Pastry Chef Casey Doody isn't shy about letting her dreams pave the way. Known for her Sky High Key Lime Pie and Focaccia Fridays, she's built a reputation for creating the sweet treats that top off any celebration. Doody worked her craft in Dallas, New York City and Chicago's best restaurants, private clubs and fine hotels and now finds herself at a crossroads in a whole new journey. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Chef Casey talks about her dream to be a Dallas Co...

Want to learn how to make the perfect pizza pie? Look no further than the North American Pizza and Culinary Academy of Lisle, Illinois. Every year, Chef Anthony Iannone shares the secrets from the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli in Italy with fellow chefs and novices alike. Roman, deep dish, thin crust, Detroit, sliced or squared, Chef Anthony and his team are the dough virtuosos for anyone wanting to dig deep into the history of the greatest loved and one of the oldest culinary creatio...

Every year Chicago restaurant insiders gather for the annual Jean Banchet Awards. Named after the legend behind the famed Le Francias Restaurant in suburban Wheeling, the honor recognizes original talent behind Chicago's most loved establishments, touching on pizza, pastries, fine wine and great neighborhood joints. Its most enthusiastic supporter and master of ceremony this year is Michael Muser of the Michelin starred "Ever." In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Muser promises the January...

An era ended in 2021 when acclaimed restaurant critic Phil Vettel retired from the Chicago Tribune. Behind the shadowy figure in his by-line, Vettel brought the tastes of a diverse and vibrant culinary landscape to thousands of loyal readers for 31 years. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Vettel details the modes operandi he used to keep his identity a secret to the hundreds of restaurants he visited during his storied tenure, and how the game changed with the explosio...

Malort, for many the word alone brings a shiver through the spine or warm nostalgia for a cold night in a Chicago tavern. This gulp of bitterness harkens back to its Swedish roots of vodka and wormwood and has been described as just about the worst tasting liqueur on the bar room shelf. Like kale and Brussels sprouts, Malort has been around for decades, it's just recently that a whole new generation of Chicagoans and now Americans across the country have embraced it. Sales are boo...

He's been a household name for decades and the guy millions of Americans wake up to every morning on NBC's Today Show. But Al Roker is more than the beloved weatherman, he's a prolific author of fiction, non fiction and cookbooks. His latest is a labor of love, a tasty collection of cherished family recipes meticulously tested and detailed with the passion and enthusiasm of his co author daughter Courtney Roker Laga. From pancakes to shrimp and grits, Al calls these R...

Chef Bill Kim is the culinary force behind Urbanbelly restaurant in Chicago and The Table at Crate in Oak Brook, a collaboration with Crate and Barrel. Born in Seoul, Korea and raised in Chicago, Chef Kim graduated from Kendall College and immersed himself early in his career alongside the renowned chef Charlie Trotter. In 2008, he opened Urbanbelly in Chicago's Wicker Park Neighborhood. He's the author of “Korean BBQ: Master Your Grill in Seven Sauces,” which earned a James...

Top chefs use top quality ingredients, that's the premise Mohammad Salehi is counting on in building his growing Chicago business, Heray Spice. Salehi comes from a long line of Afghani farmers who have spent generations cultivating delicate saffron threads that add distinct flavor, aroma and color to the finest dishes. It's a long road from the saffron fields of war weary Afghanistan to Chicago, but so far Mohammed Salehi is proving that adversity and perseverance is the perfect combina...

Chicagoan of the Year, Executive Chef, Humanitarian and Hall of Famer are just a few of the accolades bestowed upon Art Smith. Most people know he got his start as Oprah Winfrey's personal chef and skyrocketed into the culinary world cooking meals for presidents, princesses and heads of state. Chef Art is often described as a celebrity himself, but there's no doubt he's most comfortable in the kitchen providing much needed food and warmth for thousands of people trapped in t...

Monica Eng and Audarshia Townsend are veteran journalists who've been covering the Chicago food and restaurant scene for years. In this inaugural episode of Supper with Sylvia, these two foodies reveal some of the city's hidden gems and discuss how the culinary landscape has evolved since the great pandemic of 2020. The Show Notes: Read more from Monica Eng at Axios.com and listen to her podcast "Chewing" with the Chicago Tribune's Louisa Chu. Audarshia Townsend is the Content Director for ...

Introducing Supper with Sylvia, The Everything Food and Restaurant Podcast of Chicago. Veteran television journalist Sylvia Perez takes you on flavorful journey through the heart of the Windy City's culinary scene. Each episode uncovers the stories behind Chicago's hottest dining spots, from iconic deep dish pizza to hidden neighborhood gems and Michelin star restaurants. Sylvia talks to the talented and passionate chefs who are making Chicago a major food destination. Whether yo...