Bringing the South Side Home
Chef Lamar Moore has been named the 2024 Certified Angus Beef Chef of the Year.
There’s no doubt that when you step into Bronzeville Winery located in Chicago, IL., you feel a sense of warmth, and not just from the woodfire oven.
For Chef Lamar Moore, every dish begins with a story, one that traces back to his grandmother’s kitchen on the south side of Chicago. Her Sunday dinners fostered a sense of care and community that Moore still holds onto.
“I watched my grandmother cook a lot, but it wasn’t just her cooking,” Lamar recalls. “It was how she helped people and supported them.”
Now, as the executive chef of Bronzeville Winery, Moore brings those same values into every meal he serves.
“When I put a meal in front of people here, I want them to know that this is home,” he says.
Growing up in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, Moore learned early on that food was a way to connect. His grandmother’s influence can still be seen in the dishes he creates today, blending Southern comfort with upscale culinary finesse. Whether it’s Certified Angus Beef ® burger patties on a brioche bun with onion molasses jam and garlic aioli or a chimichurri sauce infused with collard greens, the chef’s menu is a homage to his roots, presented with a modern twist.
Though Chicago is where his heart resides, Moore’s culinary path took him far beyond the city, with years spent refining his craft in California’s fine dining scene.
“I wanted to see the world differently, to understand my culinary point of view,” he reflects.
But no matter how far he traveled, home was always calling. And now, back in the city that shaped him, Moore pours his heart into Bronzeville Winery, creating an experience that’s both familiar and fresh.
A Space of Intentionality and Warmth
Moore’s restaurant is intentionally designed to make guests feel like they belong. The layout ensures connection with family-style seating, while the open kitchen allows diners to witness the craftmanship behind the dish. To further set the tone, the restaurant features a DJ deck in the back, a nod to Chicago’s rich music history.
“When you walk in, the first thing you see is the bar, then the dining room,” Lamar explains. “It’s classic for me to invite someone for a drink and then transitions over to get a bite to eat. I want people to feel like they’ve just met new family and know they’re always welcomed back.”
But it’s not just the atmosphere that makes Bronzeville Winery special, Moore’s focus on sourcing quality ingredients and creating dishes that tell a story is evident in every bite.
“When it comes to using Certified Angus Beef ® [CW1.1]cuts here at the restaurant, I’ll always have a story to share,” Moore says. “People enjoy hearing how Certified Angus Beef ® and my connection merge because we all come from some sense of story.”
Bringing it Home
Chef Moore’s journey with the brand has led him far beyond the kitchen. His visit to the Hadrick family ranch in South Dakota provided a firsthand look at the care and commitment that goes into raising the beef he serves on his tables.
“Meeting the Hadricks reminded me of my own family’s values of hard work, integrity and caring for others,” Moore shares. “It made me even more commitment to sharing those values through my cooking. I don’t want to just serve great food, but I also want to honor the people and process that makes the food possible.”
Bringing it Home
Chef Moore’s journey with the brand has led him far beyond the kitchen. His visit to the Hadrick family ranch in South Dakota provided a firsthand look at the care and commitment that goes into raising the beef he serves on his tables.
“Meeting the Hadricks reminded me of my own family’s values of hard work, integrity and caring for others,” Moore shares. “It made me even more commitment to sharing those values through my cooking. I don’t want to just serve great food, but I also want to honor the people and process that makes the food possible.”
For Moore, bringing those stories back to his guests at Bronzeville Winery adds a new layer of connection. He frequently shares his experiences with customers and even offers insight into how they can recreate some of his dishes at home.
“People often ask me where they can find Certified Angus Beef ® cuts and how they can cook it the way we do here,” Moore explains. “I love showing people that they can achieve the same results in their own kitchens or backyards. It’s about bringing the best of both worlds together.”
At the end of the day, Chef Moore’s philosophy comes down to one thing—connection. Whether it’s through his food, his stories, or his personal experiences, he strives to create a dining experience that resonates on a deeper level.
“Bronzeville Winery is my home,” he says. “And when you’re here, I want you to feel like it’s yours, too.”
Chef Lamar Moore has earned the 2024 Certified Angus Beef Chef of the Year award that was presented to him at the Certified Angus Beef Annual Conference in Verona, NY.
