Hans Rueffert
Chef, author, speaker, advocate and survivor, Hans Rueffert is known by many titles, but his favorite title is perhaps “teacher.” A natural-born communicator, Hans has a rare ability to inspire others to push themselves to be their very best. Diagnosed with Gastric Cancer in 2005 just two weeks after taping the finale of the Next Food Network Star, Hans traded in his “Celebrity Chef” status in exchange for “Cancer Survivor.” Never one to slow down, following his diagnosis and subsequent surgeries Hans has continued to share his talent in the kitchen with thousands. Hans is motivating and engaging; And his endless knowledge and love of food coupled with his personal struggles with post-treatment life are an ongoing source of inspiration and interest. Hans enriches the lives of those he meets and inspires the lives of those he reaches across multimedia channels. Learn more at www.Hanscooks.com and watch his Gesundheit Kitchen cooking episodes at www.gastriccancer.org
Steve McDonagh
Along with spouse, Dan Smith, Steve makes up one half of the culinary duo known as The Hearty Boys. They are trend-setting Chicago caterers, restaurateurs, television personalities and authors. As the original winners of Search For The Next Food Network Star, Dan and Steve went on to become the first openly gay couple in American television history to host a series with Food Network’s Party Line With the Hearty Boys.
Steve and Dan’s first restaurant, HB: a hearty boys spot, claimed the number one spot in Timeout Chicago’s Best Dish of the Year. Their Michelin recommended follow-up restaurant, HEARTY, received 3 stars from the Chicago Tribune and was much lauded for it’s “inspired and deft twists on iconic dishes”. They continued the streak with SpritzBurger, a collaborative bistro spotlighting Steve’s artisan soda cocktails, Dan’s creative grass-fed burgers and Chef Gale Gand’s award winning desserts.
Their first cookbook, Talk with Your Mouth Full, is a trove of behind the scenes entertaining knowledge. But his baby is The New Old Bar; an everyman’s guide to the current cocktail movement. As the Chicago Tribune noted “While Julia Child may have demystified the technique of traditional French cuisine, Steve McDonagh has made the creation of well-crafted vintage cocktails accessible for the novice home bartender.”
Steve is also an actor who has been seen at Goodman Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Drury Lane, Royal George Theater, Theatre at the Center, Marriott Theatre and Williams Street Rep. Off-Broadway credits include Lamb’s Theatre and regional work at The Kennedy Center. Television credits include Chicago Med and the Lifetime thriller Web of Deceit.
Steve and Dan split their time between Chicago’s North Shore and the woods of Michigan with their son, Nate.