Our reverence for Big Star is well-documented — and for good reason. For a wide range of people coming up in Chicago’s hospitality scene, the spot represented a proof of concept: that you could take something familiar, do it with conviction, and build a culture around it. Its mythos is legend — from strong margaritas to nightly cash-only bonanzas — and this week’s guest was there for all of it.
Laurent Schroeder-LeBec was born in France and spent his formative years in Korea, a hardcore kid turned hospitality lifer, whose musical soul and DIY spirit can still be felt at the heart of Big Star. In this episode, we’re reliving the glory days of the gold-studded classic — from cheap Lone Star beers to its eventual growth and expansion — with a true original who had the inside scoop.
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We’re heading north: Joiners will be on the road at Sand Valley, Wisconsin, February 27–March 1, recording live episodes during the Friends of James Beard Sand Valley Chefs Invitational. Expect great chefs, beautiful surroundings, and a weekend built around food, conversation, and community.
Details and tickets → Friends of James Beard Chef Invitational
