A Candid Chat with a Culinary Leader

Chef Erick Williams wraps up the year with wisdom, deep reflection, and a sense of hope for the restaurant industry's future.

My year-end interview for the LIVE! Culinary Series featured Erick Williams, executive chef/owner of Chicago’s Virtue Restaurant, and man, did he bring the fire. The award-winning restaurateur reflected on the good that came out of the sh*tshow that was 2020, and also explained how it inspired him to work harder for his community:

“The highlight of my life is that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of both the (civil rights) march and the funding as it relates to advocacy for the BIPOC community,” says Williams during the 63-minute interview. “It’s real for me. It’s always been real for me within the confines of a restaurant, but this year I was able to take that expression outside of the four walls that we cook in.”

Watch the interview in its entirety right here.