Owner / Executive Chef Scott Zimmer

Owner and Executive Chef Scott Zimmer, who has amassed 30 years of life experience working for many local and national restaurant groups, has engineered a bit of a hospitality trifecta:

A two-level space with vintage décor that is a destination unto itself, a loyal staff that exudes service, teamwork, and professionalism, and food customers and critics both love.

As a young teenager, Scott dreamed of opening a restaurant and he achieved this dream at age 27, with the original opening of the Chew Chew Café.

In his 30-year career, Scott has worked in every food and beverage capacity imaginable: dishwasher, line cook, bartender, server, host, DJ, dining room manager, general manager, kitchen manager, and chef.

He graduated at the top of his class in 1992 from the University of Illinois in Restaurant Management, where he also received the College’s Outstanding Junior Award while serving as President of the Hospitality Management Association.

As an industry leader and consultant, Zimmer has steered the success of many Chicago eateries with an ability to analyze food and beverage menus, service, hospitality, restaurant design, profitability, purchasing, and production.

Scott credits Danny Meyer (Union Square Café) and Judy Rodgers (Zuni Café) for heavily influencing his service and food philosophies.   He manages with honor, discipline, consistency, communication, courage, wisdom, compassion, flexibility, love, humility, confidence, and a passion for work and excellence.

Scott is happily married to his wife Diane and together they are raising two young daughters — Agatha and Dagny Lu.

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