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Windy City Blogger Wed Dec 09 2009
Windy City Blogger Wednesday: chik n' pastry
Hope you are staying warm out there. This week I would like to introduce Heather of "chik n' pastry".
What brought you to Chicago?
Graduate school. I grew up in North Carolina and my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I were ready for a change. After being accepted at Northwestern, without a further thought we moved up here in 2004 with intentions to move back to NC in 2006. But by that time, we'd fallen in love with the city and we've been here ever since!
What do you do when you aren't blogging?
I talk about genetics. My graduate training is in Genetic Counseling, and my current position is at Northwestern where I work with individuals at risk for hereditary cancers (about 5-10% of all cancer). I also went to culinary school at Kendall College and recently graduated from that program, but I haven't quite found a way to work my love for food, eating, and writing into a paying job! I'd love to be a part-time genetic counselor and part-time writer or personal chef.
Aside from work, cooking, & blogging, you'll generally find me wandering around Chicago, traveling, or hanging at home with the hubs and the cats.
Favorite restaurant in Chicago?
Oh golly - this one's tough. I have a huge list of restaurants to visit and have a really hard time going to one place twice because of that. That being said, I've been known to hit up Mado, Hot Chocolate, Bristol, Xoco, & Coast frequently. And although I love eating out, I am also quite content in the kitchen all day.
5) Favorite restaurant in Chicago, if you aren't paying (ditto as above)
Bonsoiree, without a doubt. And I've been to Alinea, but in terms of the creativity, ambience, and value I'd prefer Bonsoiree 9 times out of 10. You have to get on the "underground" list and go on Saturday - they change the menu every month!
Favorite recipe and/or post
My favorite post is still the first one because it covers my Southern roots, my first real memories of food, and the origin of my blog name. In terms of recipes, I find myself making my pad thai frequently as well as paella, as both are great weeknight meals.
How do take your coffee?
Decaf with a tiny bit of milk and Splenda. Until a few months ago, it was caffeinated, strong, and multiple cups a day. It took a few weeks of headaches to get to decaf, but I finally did it!
Cubs or Sox?
Cubs. But for fear of my husband calling me out on that, I will admit I'm not really a baseball fan. Give me the Bears or ACC sports any day.
What is the one thing/place/restaurant that you recommend to your out of town guests?
I know this is way lame, but we like to drive people through underground Wacker to brag about the Batman scenes. Wow, we are nerdy...
One (or two) things that you can't live without in your kitchen
The Dutch oven and my honkin' bamboo cutting board.
Catch up on all the previous Windy City Bloggers here.
Do you have a favorite Chicagoland based food blogger? Email drivethru@gapersblock.com with [food blog interview] in the subject line with the name and URL of the blog and I will check it out!
