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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What are Mark Steuer's favorite shops to go to when he travels?
I definitely like to hit the markets and the out-of-the-way shops where people who actually live there shop and not just tourists. -
On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What does Mark Steuer think makes The Bedford so unique?
The space is unique because of what it allows us to do. We think of ourselves as a modern day supper club so it’s a place you can come in and just have a cocktail or it’s a place you can come and spend your whole evening. You can come and have a drink, or have a three-course dinner and hang out with some friends and listen to music afterwards. Because there are so many different areas to the space, it allows us to have something for everyone. -
On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What's Mark Steuer's food philosophy?
I like to think of our philosophy as using really simple ingredients and elevating them. I guess you could say peasant food reinvented. It’s easier to take really high end and expensive ingredients like lobster or truffle taste good because they taste good. But the fun part of the challenge is using things that aren’t necessarily good right away and transforming it into something that’s delicious. -
On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What other chefs does Mark Steuer look to for inspiration?
Globally — I guess Thomas Keller for sure, there’s a guy in Philadelphia named Mark Vetri who I like his stuff a lot. There are all the guys in Spain doing the crazy molecular stuff. In Chicago, Paul Kahan is always an inspiration to me, and Bill Kim.
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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What are Mark Steuer's favorite dishes on the menu at The Bedford?
We change it quite a bit... Right now, one of my favorites is the pork belly and octopus dish we have. The venison carpaccio is awesome. I love our pork chops as well. -
On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
If Mark Steuer weren't a chef, what would he be?
I was planning on going to law school before I started cooking. But, I can’t really imagine doing anything other than what I do.
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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
If Mark Steuer could open his dream restaurant, what would it be?
My background is really German. So I’ve always wanted to open a fine dining German restaurant. I think that German cuisine is very tasty but it always seems kind of ugly. Kind of modernizing that cuisine and making it beautiful. -
On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
Where would Mark Steuer like to travel that he hasn't been to yet?
Ireland, South Africa, I’ve never been to the Southwest of America like Texas and Arizona. I actually want to go to Vietnam. I’ve always wanted to go to Southeast Asia.
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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What does Mark Steuer wear when he travels?
Jeans and a comfortable hoodie. My Converse All Stars. -
On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What was the best trip Mark Steuer has taken?
Probably my trip to Barcelona a couple of years ago. It was kind of a whirlwind. I was only there for three days. I had been visiting a friend in the south of Spain; we went up to Barcelona for three days. I love that kind of food — seafood. I like all the food there but the seafood was especially cool cause it was so fresh. I ate it raw and it was interesting. The energy of the city was amazing, and the architecture — all the Gaudi buildings. I really enjoyed my time there.
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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What does Mark Steuer order when dining out?
I don’t always order the same thing. I like to order things that I haven’t ordered before, that are a little bit out there. It might be a specialty of the region or something seasonal they have going on. But I like to try something I haven’t had before.
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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What does Mark Steuer order when dining out?
I don’t always order the same thing. I like to order things that I haven’t ordered before, that are a little bit out there. It might be a specialty of the region or something seasonal they have going on. But I like to try something I haven’t had before.
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On September 21Mark Steuer answered the question:
What are Mark Steuer's favorite restaurants?
That’s a tough question. Depending on where I am — in Chicago, I’m a creature of habit. When I travel I like to find out of the way places that are typical of that region of cuisine. Like when I was in Portland, I was by myself for a week. I just went to the nearest little bar I could find and started talking to people who worked there. People who work in the industry tend to know the places to go. So they gave me a list, and I just went from there, and kept talking to people. Kind of seeking out cool stuff.
Mark Steuer
Tastemaker
Chef
Chicago
Mark Steuer is the executive chef at Chicago's The Bedford – a kitchen and bar in the eclectic Wicker Park neighborhood. His interest in cuisine first sparked as a server, working his way through school at the University of Wisconsin. When he stepped in for an absent chef, he discovered his culinary calling. After a quick promotion to sous chef, he left Madison for Chicago, where his fervor for food evolved into a culinary career. Hanging his chef's hat at Mindy's Hot Chocolate, he rose in the ranks from line cook to executive chef, gaining plenty of accolades. On the heels of his success, he consulted on the menu for Rootstock before taking over the role of the executive sous chef at The Gage. Blending well-honed culinary skills with a grounded yet inventive personality, Steuer is making a name for himself at The Bedford.
