We believe a kitchen that serves fresh, quality food to our guests can also be a place of learning. We have provided (and will continue to provide) a learning environment for young people and aspiring cooks to grow and explore traditional and modern cooking techniques.

We believe in knowing and respecting the people, animals, and land involved in every part of our food process. Our menus are inspired by the season, using ingredients from Midwest farmers and gardeners that are picked, harvested, and slaughtered when the farmer knows it’s ready.

We are committed to our own vegetable garden, both as a means to gain knowledge and appreciation of our food supply and to provide a source of specialty produce unique to our menus.
We are committed to supporting urban agriculture and respecting and promoting diversity in Chicago’s food community.

We believe in the slow food cooking philosophy. Food shouldn’t be over processed and it’s always best to start from scratch.

We believe in business practices that are transparent, humble, and always seeking to improve in our relationships with people and the Earth.

And we seek to inspire our diners to love food as much as we do.

A vegetarian signed up for our Whole Hog Dinner in May 2010, and came to speak with us before the meal.

“I understand what you guys went through to put this meal together,” she told us. “This pig had a good life, a respectable life, and you’re committed to sharing with us just what it means to eat meat.”

“Wow, thank you,” we stammered.

“This pig didn’t die in vein. …I’ve decided I’m going to eat your meat tonight.”

We are committed to providing everyone who dines or volunteers with us a unique experience. The dinner party is a place where food-loving souls can escape for an evening and enjoy a meal with friends, old and new.

We believe in the love of conversation (and the art of it). We want to foster an atmosphere in which guests are free to come as they are—all foodies and aspiring foodies are welcome.