Jillg

Jill Barron

Simplicity is more complicated than it looks.

Last updated: May 18, 2013

Contact Information
More Details

Last updated: Nov 21 2010

Title(s)
Executive Chef/Owner, MANA food bar
Summary

I want people to eat more vegetables and grains. Small dietary changes are key to having a healthier life. Better health means better quality of life.

Specialties

Vegetable gardening, Biodynamic wines, Housemade condiments, Vegetarian, Canning/preserving, Farm-to-table, Cheese Expert, In-house ice creams, Non-alcoholic cocktails, and Vegan

Cuisine(s)

Global

View Extended Profile (Education, Experience, Awards, etc)

Work Experience: Culinary

  • MANA food bar
    Title: Executive Chef/Owner
    Employment: Current
  • Mana Food Bar
    Title: Chef/Owner
    Chef: Myself
    Cuisine: Meatless
    Notes: Mana was created to fill the gap between vegetarians and meat eaters.

    Employment: Mar 2008 - Present
  • de cero taqueria
    Title: Executive Chef
    Chef: At present unknown
    Cuisine: Fresh Mexican
    Notes: Was voted into Chicago Magazine's Best New Restaurant issue and Dish of the Year 2005.
    Was on opening staff

    Employment: Jul 2005 - Jun 2008
  • Sushi Wabi
    Title: Hot Kitchen Chef
    Chef: At present unknown
    Cuisine: Contemporary Sushi
    Notes: Worked to unite hot kitchen and sushi line. Developed non sushi japanese menu items and desserts.

    Employment: Jun 2002 - Jul 2005
  • Watusi
    Title: Executive Chef
    Chef: Myself
    Cuisine: Caribbean and Latin Cuisine
    Notes:

    Employment: Jan 2001 - Jan 2002
  • Tizi Melloul
    Title: Chef
    Chef: Kelly Courtney
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern
    Notes:

    Employment: Jan 2000 - Jan 2001
  • Big Time Productions
    Title: Executive Chef
    Chef: Myself
    Cuisine: Eclectic
    Notes: Executive Chef of Ooh-La-La, Angelina, and Vinyl restaurants.

    Employment: Jan 1992 - Jan 2000
  • City Restaurant
    Title: Sous Chef
    Chef: Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger
    Cuisine: Global
    Notes:

    Employment: Jan 1988 - Apr 1992
  • Star Top Cafe
    Title: cook
    Chef: Michael Short
    Cuisine: Global
    Notes:

    Employment: Jan 1987 - Jan 1988
Last updated: May 20 2013

Awards

  • Time Out Magazine Best New Vegetarian (2009)
  • Chicago Magazine Best New Restaurants Issue- Mana Food Bar (2009)
  • Chicago Magazine Best New Restaurants Issue- De Cero Taqueria (2005)
  • Chicago Magazine Dish of the Year (2005)
Last updated: Jan 30 2012

Culinary Education

  • Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago
    1987

Last updated: Oct 27 2010

Other Education

  • Columbia College Chicago
    Did not graduate
    Art Management

Last updated: Jan 31 2012

Competitions

  • First Place NPR Goose Island Beer Cook Off
    2009
Last updated: Jan 31 2012