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

17 Sep 19

RecipesSeptember 17, 2019 4:45 pm

Bungalow Chef's Handheld Blueberry Pie

What’s better than fresh blueberries to celebrate the end of summer? Fresh blueberries always remind me of my childhood (…)

RecipesFebruary 17, 2019 9:46 pm

Bungalow Chef's Sunday Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Sunday morning at the Bungalow is a perfect time to bake! The aroma of warm cinnamon lofting through my home is a great way to start a very (…)

Bungalow Chef’s Cool and Refreshing Onion Dip

30 Dec 18

RecipesDecember 30, 2018 7:50 pm

Bungalow Chef’s Cool and Refreshing Onion Dip

Just in time for your New Year’s celebration, a great Onion Dip from Chef Michael Mech. —Editor “I consider my cool and refreshing (…)

Great Grandma Schade's Homemade Pie Crust

27 Dec 18

RecipesDecember 27, 2018 7:41 pm

Great Grandma Schade's Homemade Pie Crust

We featured Chef Michael Mech’s great grandmother’s Pecan Crescent Cookies in our 13 Days of Christmas Cookie series and they were a huge (…)

The 13 Days of Christmas Cookies: #12 Great-Grandma Rose Schade’s Pecan Crescent Cookies

24 Dec 18

RecipesDecember 24, 2018 7:57 pm

The 13 Days of Christmas Cookies: #12 Great-Grandma Rose Schade’s Pecan Crescent Cookies

It’s day 12 of our 13 Days of Christmas Cookies. Today, Guest Chef Michael Mech, The Bungalow Chef, shares one of his favorite recipes, (…)

Bungalow Chef’s Perfect Holiday Charcuterie Guide

17 Dec 18

Food & Drink December 17, 2018 6:37 pm

Bungalow Chef’s Perfect Holiday Charcuterie Guide

Charcuterie is not your mother’s cheese and sausage tray from Mid-Century America. It’s all about a selection of taste, texture (…)

Bungalow Chef's Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

13 Nov 18

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 18

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 18

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 18

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 (…)