Duke’s chef is guest speaker at Green Drinks meeting

Submitted by McHenry County Defenders

The public is invited to join the Green Drinks McHenry County group from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N. Main St. in Crystal Lake.

This month’s presentation will be by Duke’s own Chef Zak, discussing the challenges of running an eco-friendly restaurant and the steps Duke’s has taken to become the greenest restaurant in McHenry County.

Zak began his culinary training at his parents’ restaurant Duke O’Brien’s in 1998. His passion for cooking grew and led him to study the culinary arts at Kendall College in Evanston. After graduating from Kendall in 2001, he went on to get his bachelor’s in hospitality management from Purdue.

After graduating, he worked at several restaurants and resorts throughout the Chicago area, including Ixcapuzalco, Durty Nellie’s, Marriott Lincolnshire, Le Titi de Paris, Spring, and Mon Ami Gabi before returning to Duke O’Brien’s in 2004.

Upon returning to Duke’s, he brought with him his passion for sustainable ingredients and relationships with many farmers and producers. In August 2004, Duke O’Brien’s closed and reopened as Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen. Duke’s is now a gastro pub, offering traditional American food utilizing ingredients from local and sustainable farmers paired with a selection of American craft brews and Belgian ales. Duke’s has recently joined the Green Restaurant Association and is involved in many community activities.

Pick up a drink or order some food at the bar before coming upstairs for information and inspiration, business and pleasure.

There will be an information table set up, and you are welcome to bring information about your green products and services each month to share.

To be added to the email list, send a note to GreenDrinks@mcdefenders.net or “like” the group at www.Facebook.com/GreenDrinksMcHenryCounty.

There will be no Green Drinks in July due to the Independence Day holiday. For details, contact the Defenders’ office at (815) 338-0393 or email mcdef@owc.net.