Let's Get Cookin' with Chef Stephanie Izard

Chef Stephanie Izard is a culinary trailblazer whose passion for food and creativity have left an indelible mark on the world of gastronomy. Her background is filled with diverse culinary experiences and a profound love for food. Born on October 30, 1976, in Evanston, Illinois, her culinary journey began at an early age when she would help her mother in the kitchen, instilling in her a deep appreciation for home-cooked meals and the joy of sharing them with loved ones.

After completing her education at the University of Michigan, where she studied sociology, Izard decided to follow her true passion and enrolled at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Arizona. This marked the beginning of her formal culinary training, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the culinary arts.

Her career took a significant leap forward when she appeared on the reality cooking competition show "Top Chef" in its fourth season. She became the first female chef to win this coveted title! With her newfound fame, Chef Izard opened her first restaurant in Chicago, Girl & the Goat (in 2010). Its inventive small plates and unique flavors earned her a coveted Michelin star.

Stephanie Izard's culinary empire continued to expand as she opened more restaurants in Chicago, including Little Goat Diner, Duck Duck Goat, and Cabra, each offering a unique dining experience. Her restaurants have not only garnered widespread recognition but have also contributed to the revitalization of Chicago's culinary scene.

Chef Izard is fresh off her job as the host of this year’s Hamburger Hop (on 9/22), one of the many foodie events that make up Chicago Gourmet. Check out Chicago Star’s exclusive Q&A with this enigmatic chef below.

What makes Chicago Gourmet so special and what were the highlights from this year’s Hamburger Hop for you?  I’ve been at Chicago Gourmet since it’s very first year and it’s been amazing to see the festival grow and change over time. I’m forever a Chicagoan and I’m proud to say it’s still the best food city in the country! It’s fun to bring friends from the city and from out of town to celebrate that. What also makes Chicagoans so great is the support that they give to chefs and restaurants - everyone is so genuinely excited to eat great food. Judging Hamburger Hop gets harder and harder every year - the contestants keep getting more creative! It was extra fun to have my buddy, Shota [Nakajima], on site repping Lexus this year and I was so happy for him when he took home the trophy! His burger was the first one that the judges tasted, and it just couldn’t be topped. There was also a really great DJ this year - I always love a fun dance party! 

Which chefs or culinary influences have had the most significant impact on your cooking style? My first culinary influence - and the reason that I’m a chef today - is my mother. I was fortunate to grow up in a house where we tried food from all over the world and where dinner was the place we came together as a family. Throughout the early years of my career, I worked for a lot of chefs that highlighted Asian flavors, which was fitting because Asian cuisine was my mom’s favorite thing to cook and it’s always something I’ve been drawn to.

Are there any ingredients or flavors that you are particularly drawn to when crafting a new dish? I see food as a way to explore the world, so I’m constantly looking for flavors that are new and interesting to me. On my Tastemade show, The Curious Chef, I cooked Burmese food with an amazing woman and was so excited after that meal! I’ve found myself diving into those flavors lately. 

You competed on and won "Top Chef." How has that experience shaped your career and cooking style? I can look back at the last 15 years and know that so many of the amazing opportunities that I’ve had have stemmed from winning Top Chef. I’ve had so many doors open for me and have tried to take advantage of them as much as possible, like opening restaurants in Chicago and Los Angeles and having amazing partnerships, like being a Lexus Culinary Master, where I can cook at incredible events all over the country. 

When you're not enjoying your own cuisine, what type of food do you love to eat the most, and do you have a favorite restaurant that serves it? My favorite dates with my seven-year-old, Ernie, are sushi nights. We go to a local spot and every time we go back, I get him to try a little something new. 

What are your long-term goals and aspirations within the culinary industry? I’m not one to set big goals for myself, but I’d love to continue on this amazing path and connect to friends in new cities all over the nation, whether it’s through new restaurants or through TV. I always want to be having fun and finding new opportunities wherever possible!

(You can follow Chef Izard on all of her culinary adventures on Insta @stephanieizard.)