Behind the Line
Topic: Off the Clock
Vacations and Travel
If you could dine anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you eat?
- Carrie Nahabedian
- Executive Chef/Owner
- NAHA and Brindille
- Chicago, IL
I have always wanted to go to Moscow and St. Petersburg in the dead of winter. To drink Russian vodka, local river caviars instead of those from the Caspian Sea, to dine on extravagant Wild Salmon ...
more »
Do you take food vacations or vacations from food?
- Derek Simcik
- Executive Chef
- Atwood Cafe
- chicago, IL.
I dont think I ever take a vacation from food, being in this business its just something one loves and appreciates! Its more of a matter of turning every vacation or place into a food vacation and ...
more »
Do you come back from vacations with new ideas for dishes inspired by the location? Please provide an example.
- Derek Simcik
- Executive Chef
- Atwood Cafe
- chicago, IL.
Most definitly! Getting out of the kitchen and out of the daily surroundings allows you to see things in a new perspective. So for example with out getting to much in the details as the dish has no...
more »
Vacation or staycation? When you've got down time, would you prefer traveling afar or staying close to home? What would you do?
- Derek Simcik
- Executive Chef
- Atwood Cafe
- chicago, IL.
Vacation for sure at least for me. I try "staycations" but being so close to work and in the area I seem to always either bump into somebody and "talk shop" or if walking by work I tend to stop in....
more »
We all need a little breather now and again. How important are vacations for you? How often do you take them?
- Derek Simcik
- Executive Chef
- Atwood Cafe
- chicago, IL.
Vacations I believe are EXTREMELY important, especially in the hospitality business. We spend so much time helping others, hours upon hours on our feet, and we are always pushing the limits on crea...
more »
Vacations don't need to be all beaches and sleep. When on vacation, do you ever search for inspiration for work? If so, how?
- Perry Hendrix
- Executive Chef
- Chicago, IL
Yes - of course - by eating!
When you need to unwind, where do you jet off to? If you could travel anywhere for a relaxing vacation, where would you go and why?
- Hugh Amano
- Chef
- Food on the Dole
- Chicago, Illinois
Honestly, I don't go too far from the city. We're fortunate to be privy to some great spots to get away, and I usually head up Wisconsin-way. I've found a spot, one that I won't relinquish the loca...
more »
Vacations can be a good opportunity to embrace new hobbies and learn new things. What type of educational vacation would you like to take? Perhaps there's some untapped hobby you'd like to undertake.
- Carrie Nahabedian
- Executive Chef/Owner
- NAHA and Brindille
- Chicago, IL
My personal goal is to see Mt. Rushmore (finally), go to North Dakota in the winter, drive through Monument Valley in Utah, hike or...Yosemite (lived in california for ten years and never went..)
...
more »
From La Tomatina festival in Spain to the infamous Wisconsin state fairs, there's a food festival for every taste. Which food festival would you most like to attend? Why?
- Charlie Berg
- Sommelier
- Michael Mina Bourbon Steak DC
- Washington, DC
I'm headed to the Sonoma Wine Country Festival coming up Labor Day Weekend, I'm super-psyched to be attending this celebration of one of the great wine-country cultures of the world. Awesome Pinot ...
more »
Help a weary traveler out. What can you recommend to eat at your city's major airport/s?
- Derek Simcik
- Executive Chef
- Atwood Cafe
- chicago, IL.
I think we are completely spoiled when it comes to airport food when traveling through O'hare airport. Theres everything from a sushi bar, Rick Bayless's torta place, to goose islands restaurant th...
more »