The West Loop continues to reign supreme as Chicago’s food capital, and for good reason! There are trendy cocktail bars, “Top Chef” alums, and (best of all) amazing neighborhood spots that cater to Chicago comfort foods. One of those spots is MAD Social {1140 West Madison Street, Chicago; 312.243.2097} known for it’s amazing and very Instagramable dishes from the Stefani Management Group. The cozy restaurant and bar now runs with Head Chef Alex Theodoroff at the helm. He got his food education right here in Chicago, and since then has been crafting menus full of the amazing flavor…
DININGOUT: You said one of your earliest inspirations to enter the culinary world was in high school…
Alex Theodoroff: I started working for Stefano Viglietti who owned Il Ritrovo, Trattoria Stefano, and Field to Fork in my hometown of Sheboygan, WI. Working for him, I started to become interested in cooking and began taking culinary courses in my high school. I competed in a contest called ProStart, as well as a sandwich building relay. We had to make as many turkey clubs as we could in five minutes, and they would be judged by the combination of foods, presentation, and how many were completed. My team won first place! I realized that whenever I was in the kitchen I felt like I was good at something and it gave me pride.
You then studied to be a chef right here in Chicago! How has the food world changed since then?
Since I’ve left culinary school, food trends are definitely evident—gluten-free, vegan, and farm-to-table, for examples. Also, you see certain foods become popular—avocado toast was a huge menu item this spring and summer. But I think the biggest thing that’s changed is that you see more dishes using food science, like using a sous-vis or dry ice. It’s all part of molecular gastronomy and makes cooking really exciting.
You’ve had a number of roles in the kitchen. How has this affected your approach as a chef?
Moving up from station to station has really helped me understand how each job and job title works together, and the chef needs every single person in order to “make the ship run.” Being part of a staff for an opening restaurant, I really got to see what all goes into it, how much it takes to open a new restaurant, all the details from the napkins and silverware to the decor—all those things really matter, and that’s something I didn’t really think about until I saw it firsthand.
What is something people might not know about being a chef?
It’s so much more than just cooking food. That is probably the most important part, but you also have to work with your team and teach them, and you have to know the business and management side of things too. You also have to be willing to help wash dishes, help out a station if it’s busy. You have to make all these different things priorities.
What is your favorite dish on the MAD Social menu?
Our Chicken and Waffles are amazing, but my favorite is the Octopus Salad—all the ingredients in this dish compliment each other really well. If you’re looking to treat yourself, our Bone-In Ribeye is delicious as well.
The West Loop has become a food hot spot. How does MAD Social stand out in that crowd?
Mad Social has that neighborhood-restaurant feel: the atmosphere makes it easy to relax and have a good time, and you get familiar food with an interesting twist. I truly believe food brings people together, so I want people to come here and really enjoy their food and have a good social experience as well.
What makes Chicago such a special food city?
Chicago is a melting pot, so it has many different cuisines and techniques, things brought here by people from all around the world. This makes Chicago special because you can stop at Argyle and have some great Thai food, then jump on the redline to get some Greek food. There are so many different foods to try all in one place.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do in the city?
Even though my wife and I have lived here for several years, we still like to explore the city. We like to be outdoors, so we’ll spend the afternoon walking, stopping in different shops and restaurants. There’s always something new to do or try.
Interview by Kaleigh Glaza | Online Editor
The post In the Kitchen with Alex Theodoroff, Head Chef at MAD Social appeared first on DiningOut Chicago.