A Conversation With Award-Winning Chef Rick Bayless

WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with superstar chef Rick Bayless for a wide-ranging conversation about the arts.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to world renowned chef Rick Bayless about his interest in the arts, including Chicago's theatre scene and the work of Frida Kahlo.

 “I got to know what role food could play, and in a broader sense the arts could play, in bringing a community together. And I think that’s just in my bones, I have always lived on the arts side of everything.” - Chef Rick Bayless talking about his lifelong passion for the arts.

Rick Bayless doesn’t have a lot of free time. Between cooking at one of his award-winning Mexican restaurants in Chicago, hosting the Emmy Award-winning PBS series MEXICO: ONE PLATE AT A TIME, writing his next cookbook, talking on his popular podcast THE FEED or coming up with his next project, the world renowned chef is pretty busy. But if you do happen to see Bayless out and about on a Sunday, he’s likely headed to the theater.

 WDCB’s Gary Zidek caught up with Bayless after the lunch service at his legendary River North restaurant Frontera Grill. They talked about the creative aspects of his life in and outside the kitchen.

One of the things Bayless is most proud of is the establishment of the Bayless Family Foundation, which he started with his wife, daughter and son-in law. The organization was founded with a mission to support Chicago-area storefront theaters.

“I saw myself in pretty much every one of the characters, and because it’s done in a small theater, the energy builds and the play just breathes with the actors. Live theatre will touch you in a completely different way, than any other medium, it’s not like watching a movie.” - Chef Rick Bayless talking about Steep Theatre’s world premiere THE LEOPARD PLAY, OR SAD SONGS FOR LOST BOYS.

Coming up on Friday February 14, Bayless will be participating in a gala celebration titled FOR THE LOVE OF FRIDA.  The sold-out event will benefit College of DuPage’s Cleve Carney Museum of Art’s upcoming exhibit, FRIDA KAHLO 2020. Bayless has a deep appreciation for Mexican culture and is a fan of Kahlo’s work.

Frida Kahlo

“The most wonderful thing is, we’ve discovered the depth that her work has to offer to us. I’ve become a huge Frida fan.” - Chef Rick Bayless talking about his appreciation for Frida Kahlo’s work.

You can learn more about the Bayless Family Foundation here.

Find more information on all of chef Rick Bayless’ projects at his website – rickbayless.com.

And stay up to date on the Cleve Carney Museum of Art’s upcoming FRIDA 2020 exhibition, which opens June 1, here.