There’s a saying, “ you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”. Well, our guest has done just that. Michael Ponzio grew up in Elmwood park in Chicago, a predominantly Italian community at that time. At a young age of 11 years old, he started working at his uncle’s restaurant, bussing tables, washing dishes and making salad. Influenced by his nonna (Italian for grandma), he was inspired to go into culinary arts not before taking a detour through graphics design.  Anyway, soon after he graduated from Kendal college, he got hired as the sous chef at the only four star Italian restaurant in Chicago at the time. But let’s start at the beginning. His work ethics was influenced by is nonna, and because of that, he was able to accomplish so much at an early age. Today, he is the executive Chef of the Union League Club of Chicago, a 100 year old club that has only had 5 executive chefs.