Author, bread maker join Cook of the Week Challenge judges panel
Jessica Fisher
Fisher, who lives in San Diego, is a writer, a former high school teacher, wife and mom to six children under 18. "My mission in life - one that I'm finally able to articulate at age 42 - is to make the most of what I have. Whether that's money in the bank, time with my family, or the sunshine that God so graciously bestows on southern California, I want to make the most of it!" She helps others make the most of what they have through her blog, Life as MOM, and her cookbooks, of which "Good Cheap Eats: Everyday Dinner and Fantastic Feasts for $10 or Less" is the latest.
Corey Grupe
Chef Grupe, a 1992 graduate of Libertyville High School, has been in the restaurant business for 25 years. He's currently executive chef with Timothy O'Toole's, a popular Gurnee and Chicago spot that is opening an outpost in his hometown later this year. Previously he worked with Claddagh Irish Pub in Geneva, Copper Creek Grill in Vernon Hills and South Gate Cafe and Bank Lane Bistro in Lake Forest. He lives in Vernon Hills.
Darin Kolbe
Chef Kolbe grew up in Chicago and attended Harper College in Palatine where he obtained an associate degree in Hospitality and Culinary Arts. He spent 16 years as a chef in suburban country clubs before moving into the hospital sector four years ago. For the last two years he has been executive chef within the Alexian Brothers Health System at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. He teaches culinary arts classes at his alma mater. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Ashley, 10, and Dean, 5. In his spare time he enjoys playing baseball with his children and golfing.
Mario O. Portanova
In his 32 years in accounting and taxes, Portanova has specialized in the grocery and restaurant industry, providing valuable counsel for his clients. As a director at Porte Brown LLC in Elk Grove Village, his experience and interpersonal savvy allow him to go beyond the basic accounting services. Portanova grew up in Chicago and attended DePaul University, where he earned a bachelor's in accounting. He lives in the suburbs with his family. Daniel Rich
Rich, Elgin's superintendent of public works, won the 2013 Cook of the Week Challenge, getting the best of his competition in mystery basket matchups that included canned salmon and Twizzlers. He's active with the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin and donated his Challenge prize package to the Elgin facility so it can expand it's culinary operations. He's a gardening and grilling enthusiast who's always happy to swap recipes.
Suzy Singh
Chef Singh, a Top 4 finalist in FOX's "MasterChef" Season 2 (2011-2012), joined Bloomingdale-based NOW Foods as research and development corporate chef in 2013 to drive NOW Real Food new product development and create healthy solutions for existing products. She's currently formulating and developing recipes around the Living Now line of allergy-friendly and gluten-free grains, flours and baking products, as well as Ellyndale Foods, which includes natural and organic specialty oils and innovative gourmet products.
Chris Wu
Wu is the owner of the new Great Harvest Bread Co. a neighborhood bakery in Hoffman Estates. Great Harvest specializes in grinding premium Montana wheat berries into whole-wheat flour daily to ensure freshness and flavor. They bake a variety of handcrafted, preservative-free breads and sweets, and make sandwiches to order. Wu grew up in Massachusetts and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been married for 10 years to his wife, Heather. They live in the Barrington area.