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

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 (…)

RecipesOctober 4, 2018 6:18 pm

Halloween Popcorn Balls

It’s time for one of my favorite holidays – Halloween! Guest Chef Michael Mech, The Bungalow Chef, shares his recipe for a (…)

Petite Lemon Curd Tarts in Mini Fillo Cups

31 Aug

RecipesAugust 31, 2018 1:31 pm

Petite Lemon Curd Tarts in Mini Fillo Cups

Lemon Curd is one of my favorite go-to desserts! Recipes for this English heritage delight date back to the 1800s where it was a much (…)

Grilled Peaches With Burton's Maplewood Farm Maple Syrup

26 Aug

RecipesAugust 26, 2018 9:47 am

Grilled Peaches With Burton's Maplewood Farm Maple Syrup

I love fresh peaches and grilling only intensifies their flavor and sweetness. They take me back to the carefree days of childhood (…)

01 Aug

RecipesAugust 1, 2018 5:55 pm

Summer Berry Upside-Down Cake

My childhood summers are relived with this great summer berry snack cake! Family trips to Michigan’s berry belt, roadside farm stands (…)

27 Jun

RecipesJune 27, 2018 2:56 pm

Rhubarb Custard Pie

With summer here, one of the first garden and kitchen food memories I have is the rhubarb plant. Otherwise known as the (…)

28 Apr

RecipesApril 28, 2018 9:00 am

Chicken Liver Paté

This recipe for Chicken Liver Paté is a classic/retro appetizer for sure! Rich in flavor and super easy to prepare. Great to serve with (…)