Like so many others in a ‘family’ business Jim has been at it ---- really --- his whole life.
Barrack’s Catering began in 1933, at the corner of Knoxville and Ravine, at a small commercial kitchen. All catering was done offsite at that time. With Jim’s help and guidance they bought the property that is now the corporate office at 1224 Pioneer Parkway in Peoria and added their banquet facility to offer a...
Read Moreby Bill More
I had a great time meeting Bekim Rizvani and re-connecting with Jesse Kidd, 29.
Bekim is the owner of the Rizzi’s restaurants along with his wife Sindis.
Even at his young age of 37, Bekim has been in the restaurant business for 25 years.
Yes, you read that right, he started with his family’s restaurant business on the East Coast at the tender age of 12. (Don’t worry, I don’t think they broke any labor laws.)
by Chef Bill More
What a delight to interview Chef Monty Watson of Chefs Catering. He has been the owner/chef of Chefs Catering for 25 years now, has been in the food business for literally decades, and, yes, he is still going strong.
Read Moreby Job Abraria
In the summer of 2012 Todd Hayes approached his good friend and former neighbor, Christian Payne, about getting fit using the “Ease into 5K” app. Reluctantly, Christian agreed not realizing what creative ideas would result from the post run flow of endorphins and home brews. By December of 2012, Hayes and Payne were running in 9 degree weather through the area surrounding Bradley University praying that...
Read MoreBaking with Booze
by Nicole Watts
Photos by Jeff McSweeney
Ingredients:
1 Box of Pumpkin Bread mix
plus Ingredients listed on box of mix
1 Bottle of Pumpkin Beer...
Read Moreby Nicole Watts (with a little help from her friends)
In honor of apple season, we sampled a variety of apple ciders and ales at our Labor Day BBQ. Our findings were interesting. Angry Orchard’s Crisp Apple Hard Cider and Smith & Forge Cider were the favorites. Mike’s Hard Smashed...
Read MoreBaking with Booze
by Nicole Watts
photos by Jeff McSweeney
(A special thanks to Job Abraria for the back to school PBJ theme)
I went to the liquor store in search of a peanut butter vodka, but struck out. What I did find was Manischewitz Concord Grape Wine...
Read MoreSky Harbor Steakhouse
by Bill More
I was able to share some time with Daryl Klusendorf, 60, of Sky Harbor.
Daryl has been ‘in the business’ basically all his life. His family owned the Lariat Club from 1956 to 1962, than leased to the Khoury family who ended up buying the restaurant a few years later. Daryl’s own professional story includes work as a ...
Read Moreby Nicole Watts
Salt (www.saltpeoria.com) is located in Peoria Heights at 4542 N. Prospect Rd. Salt is without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Peoria and my default location for celebrations! It has a quiet ambiance and friendly and attentive staff. Both the lunch and dinner menus are delightfully... READ MORE
Read Moreby Bill More
What a delight to sit down once again with Sam Eid, age 49, owner of One World Catering and Café at Main and University in Peoria. Sam and his brother are full owners and they have been providing unique, varied, and different dishes at this spot since 1993 --- and they have location, location, location. They bought out the previous owner for about... READ MORE
Read Moreby Bill More
Did you ever get the feeling when you meet someone that they are exactly where they are supposed to be in life, that they are doing what they were meant to be, that they know it, and that they are comfortable in their skin and can foresee a solid future doing what they are doing? Guess what?... READ MORE
Read Moreby Bill More
I had the great good pleasure to speak with Stephanie Bernardi Brott to interview her regarding food trends in Central Illinois. Stephanie is now 42 and has been in the food business nearly all her life. She and her family own Mona’s and Capponi’s restaurants in Toluca, Illinois, for decades, and the Bernardi’s restaurants in... READ MORE
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