A Day in the Life: Chef and Restaurateur Paul Kahan

Rebecca Taras — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:59:26 CDT

Welcome back to A Day in the Life. Last time, we took you through a day with Kelli Zink. This week, we've got the inside scoop on Paul Kahan.

I say "chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon" and you say Avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-337-2002). Those tasty (and highly addictive) little morsels aren't the only reason people are enamored with executive chef/partner Paul Kahan's cuisine, and his other wildly successful restos (Blackbird, Publican, and Big Star) prove it.

But we're not here to tell you how great Kahan's food is (you already know that) or how many international accolades he has received (including a prestigious James Beard award). We want to get personal with the son of a Chicago delicatessen and smokehouse owner who briefly worked as a computer scientist after college. Whether he's being green or just trying to stay in shape, we love that he treks to and from work via his bike five days a week. Hungry for more? Read on.

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A Day in the Life: Chef and Restaurateur Paul Kahan