Meet this week's judges
Penny Kazmier of South Barrington, 2011 Cook of the Week winner, the first year of the contest
Her winning dish was stuffed pork tenderloin with root beer adobo glaze, sweet potato hash and cranberry chutney. What she's looking for in the winning contestant? "The winning contestant should be someone who loves food and is able to think like a scientist creating something with the right balance."
Mike Burton, General Manager, Westin Chicago Northwest
Mike Burton has been general manager of the Westin Chicago Northwest since June 2015. Mike's career started in culinary, where he held a chef's position at Gina's by the Sea in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Today, Mike holds degrees in both Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. Mike will be living in St. Charles with his wife and four children. Born in Michigan, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends in Grand Rapids. In his free time, you will find him in the great outdoors, sharing quality time with the loves of his life, his wife, Lisa, daughters Victoria and Virginia, and sons Clint and Conrad.
Joseph C. Graziano Sr., Founder, Terri Lynn, Inc.
Joseph C. Graziano, Sr. is the founder of Terri Lynn, Inc. A 1952 graduate of Valparaiso University, Joe has spent his life in the family nut business started by his father in 1932. Today, Joe brings over 60 years of experience in the nut and snack industry. Together with his daughter Terri Lynn, Joe shares a passion that has grown the business to over 150 employees and thousands of customers from major retailers, ice cream, bakery, and produce companies, to fundraising clubs and schools worldwide. Terri Lynn's facility is located in Elgin, and serves the public in their factory outlet year round.
Michael Pennisi of Carpentersville, 2012 Cook of the Week winner
A physics teacher at Schaumburg High School. His winning dish was sautéed salmon over pureed sweet potatoes with Brussels sprouts slaw.
What he's looking for in the winning contestant? "The ingredients and rules in this competition tend to be complex. So to me, synthesizing that complexity into a recipe accessible to home cooks is where the challenge lies."
Carey M. Lynch, General Sales Manager, Marquardt of Barrington
Carey Lynch knows the importance of good customer service. She was once a customer herself, which is how she ended up working in the field. In 1999, Lynch, who owned a hair salon at the time, was in the market for a car. Unhappy with how she was treated at other dealerships, she walked into a dealership in Elgin and found the car she wanted. Impressed with her knowledge and moxie, she was offered a part-time sales position on the spot. Over time, Lynch went to work at other dealerships and later enrolled into the minority dealership program in GM in hopes of landing her own dealership. She was the general manager of Woody Buick GMC in Elgin for 10 years until the Elgin location closed in June of 2013. She brought her staff and the clientele from Elgin to Marquardt of Barrington where she is the current general sales manager.
Michael Bach, Wine Manager, Binny's Beverage Depot, Arlington Heights
Michael Bach, the wine manager for Binny's Beverage Depot in Arlington Heights, has been with the company for seven years. Food and wine is his life's passion fueled with extensive travel throughout the world and supplemented with a formal sommelier education from The International Sommelier Guild, and the Court of Master Sommeliers. Michael holds a winemaking degree from UC Davis. He strives to enjoy every day and always expand his palate.