Jump to navigation PLEASE LOGIN OR SUBSCRIBE Search HOME FOOD CHEFS BLOGS RECIPES DRINK MAGAZINE RESOURCES ABOUT About Plate Featuring insights into personalities, inspiration and community that make restaurants important in our society. Whether your title is chef, restaurateur, or owner, we know you’ve been forced to make some pretty difficult decisions. We also understand just how important it is to hear about the latest culinary trends, industry best practices, and those inspirational stories about influential members of the community who are making great and meaningful strides for the industry. We’re doing everything we can to keep you informed and help overcome the challenges you’re facing. Since our world is changing too, we’re adjusting what we do to better respond to your needs. Chandra Ram, Editor As Plate’s editor, Chandra lives and breathes food and what's new in restaurants today. Chandra spent 15+ years in the foodservice industry as a cook and consulting chef before turning to food writing and editing. And, with schooling in journalism, an associate's degree from The Culinary Institute of America and a sommelier certificate, it’s no wonder Chandra was asked to give the commencement addresses at the CIA and Cordon Bleu schools, to join the James Beard Foundation Award judging committee and to be board president of Meals on Wheels Chicago. Her favorite foods? “Nothing beats fried chicken and champagne,” she says, “though sampling five pizzas, including Neapolitan, pan and deep dish, for my birthday was pretty perfect.” And when she’s not thinking about food, you may find her 60 feet below the ocean surface, enjoying a moment of Zen in her scuba gear. Liz Grossman, Managing Editor Liz has been the managing editor of Plate magazine since 2007. She’s also the co-founder of Between Bites, a nonprofit that offers a food-themed live literary series. Other good deeds include volunteering with Meals on Wheels Chicago and Culinary Care, teaching the kid’s writing workshop “How To Cook a Wolf” for 826Chi and reading from her middle school diary for Mortified Chicago, a daring endeavor she’s still recovering from. Her writings have appeared in Newsweek, Robb Report, CNN Traveller and Chicago magazine. Graze magazine also published her Between Bites story on cooking in Charlie Trotter’s kitchen. Liz loves laughing with her big family and good friends around the dinner table, sometimes even making them wait to eat while she shoots their food. You can enjoy Liz’s photos and follow her foodie adventures on instagram @elizabites_chi. Katie Wilson, Recipe Editor A Chicago-based editor for more than a decade, Katie Wilson got her start working on law manuals and other, less flavorful copy. When she found herself spending her free time reading cookbooks and food magazines, she decided to mix business with leisure and train her editor’s eye on food. Her go-to dish? “Massaman curry with sweet potato, please!” She’s also partial to a tomato soup recipe that calls for a bit of sugar, and has nearly perfected her clean-out-the-fridge chilaquiles. Now she wrangles recipes for Plate, along with helping cookbook authors and chefs fine-tune their manuscripts. She’s always in search of great weekend trips to unfamiliar locales, but also likes to recharge at one of her happy places—the bar inside Ishnala, a magical supper club overlooking Mirror Lake in Wisconsin. Gerald White, VP/Publisher Throughout his career, Jerry has been immersed in the restaurant industry where he developed a penchant for Kumamoto oysters, Margherita pizza, key lime pie and Chardonnay. The key to his success? Creating opportunities for foodservice companies to work more closely with the chef and operator communities. Jerry joined the Plate team in 2010 after 25+ years in foodservice operations, distribution and media sales, where he held top sales and management positions with several leading food media companies. A big fan of Danny Meyer, Jerry heads to the Big Apple when looking to dine out at a favorite restaurant. Rachel Walker, Director of Advertising and Strategy With a passion for publishing rivaled only by her love for delicious food and drink, Rachel returns to Plate focused on advertising and strategy. Her experience on both the agency and client side, along with graduate work in publishing and integrated marketing at Northwestern's Medill School, enables her to understand how to engage audiences, connect with partners, and drive profitable growth. A Michigan native turned Chicagoan, Rachel loves to travel, explore and dine-out. She is poised to help Plate reach new heights alongside mentor and industry aficionado, Jerry White. Laurie Hachmeister, Corporate Director, Marketing & Events As Corporate Marketing Director, Laurie oversees efforts to enhance the company’s foodservice, hospitality and meat and poultry processing brands through integrated marketing programs, live events and custom publishing. Most of her career has been spent in the foodservice and hospitality sector. When not picking blueberries in Southern Michigan or wandering art fairs, you’ll find her tasting wines in Sonoma Valley or ballooning over the mountains of Arizona. Creating an intimate dining experience for friends is one of her favorite things and her Brussels sprout recipe has gained its own following. Prior to Plate, Laurie was VP Marketing for a Chicago design firm and a Marketing Executive for Reed Business Foodservice and Hospitality publications. What’s her favorite food? Why tacos of course. "I could have them for every meal.” Bert Ganzon, Senior Art Director A designer of award-winning publications since 1999, Bert came onboard with Plate as the lead designer in early 2015. Prior to joining the MTG Media Group, he held positions with Putman Media and Advanstar Communications. When it's time to put the mouse down, Bert enjoys photography, Chicago street festivals or drinking beer with his friends. He’s also a fan of salad, Blackbird, George Lucas and fully leaded coffee. Go figure. Steve Vanden Heuvel, VP/Creative Director Steve is an award-winning art director and 13-year veteran of B2B publishing, not to mention a film enthusiast and connoisseur of the craft beer variety. Prior to joining MTG Media Group, he held design positions at Stagnito Communications and Putman Media. At MTG he’s responsible for website design and User Interface, in addition to article and special projects design for Plate’s sister publications Meatingplace, CarneTec and HOTELS. Steve is wishy-washy about his favorite food, declaring that “it depends on which way the wind is blowing,” but is unwavering about his passion for the Green Bay Packers. They rank just below his boys, his wife Angie and her “best apple pie on the planet.” BLOGS RECIPES CHEFS Recent Blogs Where Have All the Cooks Gone? How Hospitality Workers Identify and Manage Stress How to Build a Profitable Personal Chef Business Right Now When It Comes to Life In and Outside the Kitchen, Focus on What You Can Control Don’t Let Imposter Syndrome Get in the Way of Progress About Submit Privacy Support Request Contact Contact Support Help Advertise/Media kit Site map My account Terms Privacy © 2021 MTG Media Group