The culinary and storytelling arts pair nicely in The Frunchroom’s July show starting with Geena Doherty, the chef, and co-owner, of B*U*B Café in Blue Island, IL.
Geena began working in her grandparent’s butcher shop at just 10 years old where she learned the fundamentals of running a successful neighborhood staple and developed her love of the culinary industry through classic butchery techniques, classic Italian cuisine, and, of course, baking and pastry.
Geena achieved a formal culinary education at Moraine Valley Community College. Upon graduation, she was asked back to be a part of the Baking and Pastry Arts department where she taught for several years. Geena was lucky enough to work at several wonderful local Beverly establishments, as well as a few Chicago bakeries and cafes before making the decision to move farther south to Blue Island.
There Geena and her husband Gerard created a bond with the owners of Rock Island Public House on historic Olde Western Ave that would set them on a path of creating their own established pop-up eatery for five years within the walls of the pub. Serving food and creating events (like a drive-in-movie experience during the pandemic), the pair would grow their business Butter*Upon*Bacon to become a true community staple, that eventually would outgrow the walls of RIPH.
With upwards of 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Geena is extremely excited to partner with long-time pastry-pal and industry veteran Amber Sullivan to create the new B*U*B Cafe, slated to open in 2023.
Geena’s tales of life and kitchens on the South Side will be told at The Frunchroom this Thursday at 730pm at the Beverly Arts Center (111th St and Western Ave). Brought to you by the Beverly Area Arts Alliance. A $5 donation is requested at the door, which benefits the Alliance and the BAC.
The Frunchroom 