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In this inspiring episode, we step inside the soulful world of Cariño, Uptown Chicago’s acclaimed Latin American culinary sanctuary to explore what happens when radical ambition is built upon a foundation of mutual care.

While visionary Chef and Owner Norman Fenton provides the brilliant culinary canvas—celebrating everything from contemporary Mexican cuisine to ancestral heirloom corn with the upcoming Molino Los Hermanos expansion directly next door to his MICHELIN starred restaurant; the true heartbeat of the restaurant lies in its firm culture of support.

Cariño - translating directly to affection, serves as a powerful reminder that no task is too large and no vision is too bold when a team stands shoulder-to-shoulder.

It is within this nurturing ecosystem, stripped of traditional industry ego, that true creative exploration is allowed to flourish and redefine the modern hospitality landscape.

Central to this creative evolution is the inspiring work of Beverage Director Raymond Medina, whose personal journey of discovery and expression takes center stage in our conversation.

Raymond opens up about his robust path of craft development, revealing how the restaurant's supportive environment empowered him to design a beverage program that seamlessly mirrors the complexity of Cariño's multi course tasting menu.

From pushing the boundaries of traditional spirits to curating a highly inventive, deeply thoughtful zero-proof mocktail pairing program, Raymond’s sensory storytelling honors heritage and inspiration in every curation while also empowering curiosity.

His continuous exploration proves that when an individual is fiercely backed by their community, they can transform a beverage program into an elevated art form, illustrating that true mastery is born from curiosity and an unwavering safety net of team solidarity.

This episode reminds us what is possible when we stand alongside one another to create something special - collectively.

We love this episode and it proves that the journey of hospitality isn't linear and you never know where you will end - but the reality is, you will land exactly where you need to be.

We'll see you out there.

- The T o S Crew

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