"For some reason, (Chicago is) in a taco-and-fried-chicken-sandwich rut right now, which I hope we get out of. But our talent level, at companies like the Boka Group, One Off Hospitality, HogSalt and Alinea Group, are incredible forces to be reckoned with."

Chicago's hidden gems: Cocktails and jazz at the California Clipper and empanadas at Cafe Tola