Welcome, Chef Riley Huddleston! The newest member of The Godfrey’s team is Chef Riley Huddleston for our I|O Urban Roofscape.
Most recently, he worked as part of the culinary team at The Aviary and he brings eight years of experience in acclaimed restaurants across the country to IO Urban Roofscape. He will not only creating a menu featuring tasteful preparations of Chicago’s favorite foods, but he will also oversee the execution of the concept’s math-produced cocktail program.
“Our cocktail culture, especially here in Chicago, is becoming just as important as the food so we’re using scientific measurements to ensure consistency for each and every signature cocktail,” he says. “We’re weighing every aspect of the cocktail. From testing water ratios to using a refractometer to measure sugar levels in our flavored ice program, all of the signature cocktails will begin in the kitchen.”
He joins us after spending time at Gramercy Tavern and Tribeca Grill in New York as well as the former Mortimer’s in Idaho, which earned a James Beard nomination with him as chef, he most recently served as executive chef of Prasino Restaurants in Chicagoland and chef de partie of the Aviary in Chicago. Riley is also founder and owner of Boise Fry Company, a Midwest fast casual concept that was named “America’s Best French Fries” by U.S. Travel News in 2013 and “Best French Fries in the U.S.” by Travel + Leisure in 2012.
With experience in all aspects of the restaurant business from beverage director to pastry chef, Chef Huddleston applies a four ‘S’ philosophy to IO Urban Roofscape: sensible food with sustainable consistency coupled with a bit of scientific measurement to lead to customer satisfaction. “Our ultimate goal at I|O Urban Roofscape is to create quality, approachable food and cocktails with a chef’s palate in mind.”
IO Urban Roofscape will offer an array of signature kitchen-crafted cocktails, including a selection of retro-inspired, blended concoctions available by the pitcher including the Brandy Alexander, with Remy Martin, crème de menthe, vanilla ice cream and nutmeg. The menu will feature Chicago favorites such as the Pastrami Sandwich with spicy pickles, garlic aioli and manchego cheese and the Seared Ahi Tuna with avocado and housemade spicy soy mustard.
Chef Huddleston will be diligently curating IO Urban Roofscape’s food and drink menu in preparation for the February 2014 opening. You’ll be seeing more sneak peeks and menu details from us!
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