Michael Mech

The Bungalow Chef

Michael Mech was born and raised in the heart of small-town America in Blue Island, Illinois. A bedroom community of Chicago, the town has a long and rich history to the early 1860s. Perhaps this is why classical methods of preparation and vintage recipes influence his cooking and baking so strongly to this day. Chef Mike has always been a booster to small-town life and bungalow living, but he’s no stranger to the big lights of the city. Mike has been featured in Chicago magazine, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the New York Times, and recently in Who’s Hungry magazine. The Emmy-winning, PBS television show Ask This Old House featured his home to restore the kitchen to its historical roots, and Mike demonstrated his culinary skills on the show. A natural with the food landscape of Chicago, Mike served as the guide to the wide variety of cuisine of the Windy City to world famous chef David Rosengarten, as documented recently in Forbes magazine. Mike keeps a blog and website as The Bungalow Chef, where he shares “food stories,” vintage recipes, and the “art of real, American cuisine.”

The Latest

Bungalow Chef's Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

13 Nov

RecipesNovember 13, 2018 12:25 am

Bungalow Chef's Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

The holidays are right around the corner and my favorite, Thanksgiving, starts off the season. The aroma of a turkey baking in (…)

13 Nov

RecipesNovember 13, 2018 12:24 am

Onion, Leek and Pea Gratin

My Onion, Leek and Pea Gratin pays homage to the onion root vegetable and the farmers who worked the rich Midwestern soil in days past. This (…)

13 Nov

RecipesNovember 13, 2018 12:24 am

Best Thanksgiving Dressing

My favorite meal of the year is Thanksgiving, full of traditions, remembrances and great flavors. Some speak of turkey, or the after the (…)

Cranberry Sauce with Lemon and Maple Syrup

13 Nov

RecipesNovember 13, 2018 12:24 am

Cranberry Sauce with Lemon and Maple Syrup

As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, I anticipate the wonderful Cranberry Sauce with Lemon and Maple Syrup I’m soon to make. And I (…)

13 Nov

RecipesNovember 13, 2018 12:23 am

Rosemary Potato Soufflé

Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite meal of the year. Full of culinary traditions and flavorful memories, we all step out of our weekday (…)

13 Nov

RecipesNovember 13, 2018 12:23 am

Rhubarb Custard Pie

My Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe is from my great grandmother, Rose Schade. Yes, it’s tart but the creamy rich egg custard is pure (…)

Roasted Corn and Avocado Salsa Mini Bites

11 Oct

RecipesOctober 11, 2018 4:13 pm

Roasted Corn and Avocado Salsa Mini Bites

Guest Chef Michael Mech, The Bungalow Chef, shares the perfect recipe for fall, his Roasted Corn and Avocado Salsa Mini Bites. Good (…)