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

13 Nov 18

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 18

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 18

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 (…)

04 Oct 18

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 classic (…)

Petite Lemon Curd Tarts in Mini Fillo Cups

31 Aug 18

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 18

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 18

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 (…)

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 “pie (…)

28 Apr 18

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 (…)

28 Mar 18

RecipesMarch 28, 2018 12:01 pm

Baked Apples with White Wine

Do you remember baked apples as a child? I do. My Mother would bake them as a “sensible” dessert in the fall and winter months. And they (…)