Ivan Gonzalez
Ivan began his extensive career 13 years ago at one of Chicago’s most prestigious food stores, Fox & Obel. Although Fox & Obel was a grocery store it also doubled as a bistro and cafeteria where many patrons would come and enjoy meals daily.
Ivan started there as an expediter and the owners of Fox and Obel saw his potential and he made his way to the line and ultimately became kitchen manager. This allowed him the opportunity to work alongside some of the Chicago’s top talents. This job helped Ivan procure knowledge on how to care for food and create new things using different techniques. But most importantly it only further cemented Ivan’s love for food and being able to create a story with the dishes that he creates.
One of the many techniques that Ivan learned was on how to smoke and cure meats, a topic in which he is extremely passionate about! After his time at Fox & Obel, Ivan went on to work at two bars, Fat Cat, and Silver Cloud. Within a short period at these spots, Ivan was running both Fat Cat and Silver Cloud as their kitchen manager.
Now, at 30, Ivan is the Executive Chef at Uncle , restaurant in the heart of Oak Lawn . Ivan started there months before the COVID-19 pandemic a time that not only changed the world, but completely altered the restaurant industry and Ivan took those changes and garnered a new outlooks and drive in the kitchen. Ivan and the Uncle Bud’s team, had to learn and adapt to these new challenges to be successful in the ever-changing structures of the restaurant world. Chef Ivan also ran kitchen like Yolk , Kanela Breakfast Club, Berger Station along with other locations.
Ivan speaks thru the dishes he creates by always adding a piece of his heritage and story. For Ivan cooking means sharing a piece of yourself with the world by showing the drive and love that he has for everything he makes. His passion for food and drive to create a story with his food is what makes him a truly Talented Chef!
