Jason Hammel never set out to be a chef. With an English degree and dreams of becoming a writer, he went to Italy in 1994, staying across from the city’s central market. Today, Hammel is the Executive Chef and Owner of Lula Cafe, a Chicago institution in Logan Square that has been doing farm-to-table since 1999.

Hammel’s influence extends far beyond the kitchen. He’s the Culinary Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s restaurant, Marisol. Jason is also the co-founder of Pilot Light, a non-profit bringing food education to over 10,000 students. His restaurants have earned praise from The New York Times, Michelin’s Bib Gourmand, and in 2024 Lula Cafe received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality.

Hammel uses food as a vehicle for community, creativity, and education. He’s a chef who thinks like a writer, and that perspective shapes everything he does.

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Official Site: JasonHammel.com

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Official Website: Spacca Napoli Pizzeria - Chicago, IL

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Alexa Hampton is a renowned interior designer and Owner and President of Mark Hampton LLC. She took over for her legendary father in 1998. Alexa is known for her classic, eclectic, and functional style, and for being a regular on the Architectural Digest lists and Elle Décor’s A-List.

Alexa also designs residential spaces globally and creates licensed home product collections.

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Official Site: AlexaHampton.com

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Official Website: Nougatine by Jean-Georges - New York City

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Chris Stevens has built a career spanning corporate innovation, social entrepreneurship, and education. He's best known as one of the three original developers of the Keurig Premium Coffee System, a product that transformed how millions of Americans enjoy their morning coffee.

He has had many different roles, including working at Procter and Gamble and Anheuser-Busch. In 2012, he brought his experience to Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, where he now serves as a professor. He teaches courses in business problem solving, change management, and entrepreneurship.

Chris is also the founder and CEO of CS 74 Ventures, which oversees more than 20 initiatives that commit at least 50% of profits to charitable and social causes. He's an angel investor, an actor, a broadcaster, and also the executive producer of the award winning film Three Days of Hamlet.

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Official Site: Chris Stevens - Notre Dame Profile

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Official Website: Ciao's Restaurant - South Bend, IN

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