Hey there, welcome to Takeaway with Sam Ocas, a podcast from Nation's Restaurant News.

I'm Sam Ocas, editor-in-chief here at NRN, and this is the show where I give you an all-access pass to the restaurant industry's most influential decision-makers.

This week I'm talking with Chef Curtis Duffy, the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner at the Michelin-Stard Chicago restaurant ever. If you are a fan of the

FX show The Bear, then you are probably familiar with Ever. It co-stars in the show as a

fictionalized version of itself, a restaurant where Cousin Richie learns the art of hospitality,

and where iconic chefs gather for a final meal in the season three finale.

Curtis has consulted with and cooked for the show, which is starting its fourth season this week.

But long before the bear, Curtis was a renowned chef who trained under Charlie Trotter and Grant

Atkins before opening the restaurant, Grace Grace in Chicago's West Loop in 2012.

Grace closed in 2017 and Curtis opened ever in 2020, followed by the next door

cocktail lounge after. All of us at Nation's Restaurant News alongside our partner's

adventure of foods were very excited to present Curtis with the Menu Masters Innovator Award last

month in Chicago, recognizing the chef for his impact in the industry and his commitment

to raising the standards for menu and concept development.

Ahead of the award ceremony on May 17th, Curtis joined the podcast to talk about his

approach to culinary innovation and what he

believes consumers are looking for in their restaurant experiences. In this interview,

you will learn more about why restaurants don't need to be boxed in by cuisine or category,

how consumers are getting pickier and looking for memorable experiences, and why as more

full-service restaurants jump into the

off-premises business, we must solve for quality. Before we jump into the interview, though,

I am excited to announce that registration is now open for Create, our annual event for emerging

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