Beth has worn many hats in the food industry from restaurateur to catering director. She traveled the world extensively as event manager for a technology company, but came back to her first love, food, as founder of Yummie Network, an online content site.
She was a competitor on Fox’s “Master Chef” and was named the 2013-14 World Food Recipe Champion on A&E’s Food Champs. She hosted ESPN’s & Coke Zero’s Tailgate Tour “Cook-Off Before Kick-Off”, co-hosted Yummie Network’s podcast and was a WGN radio guest host.
She hosts or attends her family’s Sunday dinner mostly every week, the menu usually consisting of traditional Italian faire. Meatballs & pasta are a family favorite–with a recipes passed down from her grandparents.
“French fries are my kryptonite,” she confesses. Her must-have meals are a really good, quality cheeseburger; Portillo’s beef with giardiniera & sweet peppers; a bone-in-ribeye from Gibson’s in Chicago (with a giant glass of Prisoner Cab) and of course, mom’s spaghetti & meatballs.
When she takes out-of-town guests on a “locals” food tour of Chicago she tells them to wear stretchy pants, bring their credit card & wear sensible shoes. The tour goes from China town to Wrigleyville to Argyle St. to the Gold Coast. It usually ends at 2:00 a.m. but there are plenty of great stories and full bellies to take back home with them.
Beth’s a serious Chicago food enthusiast. If someone’s looking for a competitive cooking throw-down, she’s ready and waiting.