Harwood floors, brick walls, rich heavy theater curtains– our event space is going to be beautiful. My goal is to have people see the space and be taken with its beauty, without even knowing it’s the greenest event space in Chicago.

My beliefs about ‘green’ also extend to money. For the Kitchen to be financially sound, it must be in a healthy community. Our spending is concentrated in our local economy, investing in our neighbors’ businesses, recycling our money locally. It’s like a little treasure hunt, finding amazing people in Chicago– the tradesman, craftsman and collectors — there are so many amazing people and goods tucked away in the corners of this amazing City.

As I think about our event venue, I hear the voice of Kim Shambrook of Bespoke Cuisine, who said something to me in our first meeting that stayed with me. She said, “How wonderful is it that we get to make a living helping people celebrate?” That statement still strikes me– what a priveledge– to provide a place for people to mark the important events in their lives.

As our journey continues, I feel so lucky and grateful.