An open kitchen with a woodfire oven. An inviting bar with storied spirits. A DJ booth and a rotating art collection.
Bronzeville Winery in Chicago is more than just a restaurant. It redefines hospitality and the meaning of gathering to share a special meal, as inspired by the Sunday dinners Chef Lamar Moore’s grandmother hosted for the community.
“I watched my grandmother cook, but it wasn’t just her cooking … it was her helping people, supporting people,” says Chef Lamar Moore. “Today, when I put a meal in front of people here, I want them to know ‘this is home’.”
Though Chef Moore grew up in Beverly, a south Chicago suburb, his career has taken him to culinary school and renowned kitchens across the United States as he worked to define his unique culinary point of view.
Today his dishes showcase traditional Southern influences combined with high-end execution; and always an eye for sharing plates and building community. It’s why he’s been named the 2024 Certified Angus Beef Chef of the Year.
A Menu to Share
Bronzeville Winery opened in April 2021 with the goal of being a cultural incubator and a place to gather, spend time and connect. Awarded the Jean Banchet award for Best Hospitality in 2024, it’s packed each night with diners who are hungry for cultural events, a specially curated wine list and a rotating dining menu courtesy of Chef Moore.
“I pride myself on people sitting around these tables, enjoying each other and the food; so a lot of my culinary journey and what I offer today is family-style because of that,” says Chef Moore. “The food is really an expression of ourselves; we’re able to have fun and do some quirky things.”
His ever-evolving menu includes items like a chimichurri sauce made with collard greens, watermelon nigiri and Certified Angus Beef ® strip steaks and flank short ribs.
“People enjoy hearing when stories merge with their menu, and with Certified Angus Beef ® dishes I have a story to tell,” adds Chef Moore. “I share about the times I’ve spent going to different farms and ranches as a Certified Angus Beef brand ambassador, and I always tie in the fact that they can find this same cut they love at the grocery store.”
Building Community
While Chef Moore has competed on culinary shows like “Chopped”, “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Vegas Chef Prize Fight”, which he won, he draws energy and inspiration by giving back as a mentor to his kitchen team and building relationships in the community.
Last year, Chef Moore and Bronzeville Winery hosted a neighborhood barbecue, creating dishes centered around shared plates and the voices of Chicago.
The question he’s asked most often: “Why did you come back?” For Chef Moore, returning to Chicago and joining Bronzeville Winery was an opportunity to come home the right way, and to do everything with community in mind.
