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 More ---- Fairview Farms –
by Bill More
I had the great good pleasure of speaking with Jeanne (‘Jeannie’) Carrell, the proud owner, with her husband Don, of Fairview Farms.
Jeanne had been the manager of the place for 15 years prior to purchasing the place from the former owners who have relocated to Oklahoma.
Read MoreJeff Stahl – Chef Owner
It was a pleasure to re-connect with Jeff Stahl, age 48, of Chanticleer.
We had met when he was a Manager of the Meat Department at The Fresh Market store in Peoria. Jeff had his own ice sculpture business for about 14 years prior to making the change to
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 MoreAt The Spotted Cow With Frank Abdnour
by Bill More
His enthusiasm is truly contagious. Frank Abdnour, age 55, is the proud owner and chef at The Spotted Cow Creamery and Creations in Peoria. He loves ice cream, and has always loved... 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
Read Moreby Bill More
When Tim Johnson of Peoria Life had first asked me to put together an article on Peoria Area food trends, I jokingly asked if he really wanted a full article on Pork Tenderloins.
I know Peoria and the Peoria food scene. While not a native I have been here for more than 40 years, have tried many, many, many... READ MORE
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