Our Chef
![A plate of tacos on a slate table.](https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Food/Tostadas-Horizontal-Copy-Space.jpg?w=2000&h=550&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.705&fp-y=0.575&dm=1708450236&s=7a614104287065bb46d78029aec27a39 2000w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Food/Tostadas-Horizontal-Copy-Space.jpg?w=1600&h=422&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.705&fp-y=0.575&dm=1708450236&s=1ce8f17b4e91c2386a313f0a9d13884f 1600w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Food/Tostadas-Horizontal-Copy-Space.jpg?w=1000&h=400&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.705&fp-y=0.575&dm=1708450236&s=3a936d2b601ae712fecc288696dfb0fe 1000w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Food/Tostadas-Horizontal-Copy-Space.jpg?w=600&h=500&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.705&fp-y=0.575&dm=1708450236&s=03c501a1eae4f5f59848a9d4c091f88b 600w)
The culinary fire of Matt McMillin has been burning since he was 4 years old. Today, McMillin has fostered that fire into a career as a chef, educator, cookbook author, and our Chief Culinary Officer.
In May 2010, McMillin joined Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, the Midwest’s first and only winery, and restaurant under one roof and winner of Nation’s Restaurant News’ “2010 Hot Concept Award.” In the ever-changing restaurant industry, McMillin has been charged with leading culinary innovation of this concept for tomorrow for guests to enjoy today.
![A man in an apron standing in front of a kitchen full of food.](https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Chef-Matt-McMillin-2021-16.jpg?w=1600&h=1400&q=85&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1708449894&s=c3fcecb54421f8e41a4eee5ce05abcac 1600w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Chef-Matt-McMillin-2021-16.jpg?w=1200&h=900&q=85&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1708449894&s=ac53abf4cd6904e619ce4ee96346e232 1200w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Chef-Matt-McMillin-2021-16.jpg?w=800&h=600&q=85&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1708449894&s=e4cd53d106b7bbe177812c7d1892081f 800w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Chef-Matt-McMillin-2021-16.jpg?w=500&h=400&q=85&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1708449894&s=643c1e1867f2e1ef788db92910e33ae8 500w)
McMillin was a partner in Chicago’s prestigious Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group for 15 years, opening a number of concepts including Big Bowl, Ben Pao, Mity Nice Grill, Shaw’s Crab House, Vong’s Thai Kitchen, amongst others. He has also lent his skills to many of Chicago’s fine French restaurants such as Carlos, Le Francais, and Café Provencal.
In 2000, McMillin co-authored Big Bowl Noodles and Rice, a guide to making fresh, full-flavored cuisine accessible to the home cook. Passionate about teaching and being part of the Cooper’s Hawk communities, McMillin makes regular television, radio, and teaching appearances throughout the country and served as a judge on the Thanksgiving edition of Bobby Flay’s Throwdown.
Chef McMillin is a graduate of Kendall College, where he received the Escoffier Award for Culinary and Academic Excellence. He continues his work at Kendall as a frequent teacher, guest speaker, and Culinary Advisory Board Member. A Chicago native, McMillin enjoys competing in triathlons and cooking for friends and family. He resides in Glenview, IL with his wife Susan and two children, Madeline and Michael.
Our Food
All items are paired with a wine, labeled on the menu by bin number, as suggested by the winemaker. Every single menu item is made in our scratch kitchen and incorporates peak-of-season ingredients.
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![A plate of tuna on a table with chopsticks.](https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Asian-Ahi-Tuna-Sashimi_Horizontal_2022-11-04-195903.jpg?w=2000&h=550&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1708449578&s=d57782559aa3c881cada563d644778ce 2000w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Asian-Ahi-Tuna-Sashimi_Horizontal_2022-11-04-195903.jpg?w=1600&h=422&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1708449578&s=c6928e2201514af8881ca5c112354147 1600w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Asian-Ahi-Tuna-Sashimi_Horizontal_2022-11-04-195903.jpg?w=1000&h=1300&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1708449578&s=23b7a687e0e392604639b80f1ecc5081 1000w, https://chwimages.chwinery.com/uploads/general/Asian-Ahi-Tuna-Sashimi_Horizontal_2022-11-04-195903.jpg?w=600&h=925&q=85&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1708449578&s=7ac8789097e3d23795a3f8611468a927 600w)