CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LYFE Kitchen, recently called "the future of food," a transformational, socially responsible "lyfestyle" brand, today opened the doors to its first-ever franchise location at the corner of Clark and Hubbard in Chicago's River North section.
LYFE Kitchen Chicago Team with local dignitaries cut the ceremonial Brussels sprout ribbon (L to R): Nate Cooper, Gail Taggart, Alderman Brendan Reilly, Mike Donahue, Al Friedman, Carey & Cheryl Cooper, Mike & Maureen Roberts Photo Credit: Bridget Clauson Photography. (PRNewsFoto/LYFE Kitchen) (PRNewsFoto/LYFE KITCHEN)
The Sprout Cutting in River North underscores LYFE's mission to deliver both taste and sustainability in dishes that deliver on the message "Eat Good. Feel Good. Do Good." (PRNewsFoto/LYFE Kitchen) (PRNewsFoto/LYFE KITCHEN)
LYFE Kitchen River North's Owner-Operator Carey Cooper and President Gail Taggart with LYFE Kitchen CEO Mike Roberts and Co-Founder Mike Donahue Photo Credit: Bridget Clauson Photography. (PRNewsFoto/LYFE Kitchen) (PRNewsFoto/LYFE KITCHEN)
CEO Mike Roberts, along with the first LYFE Kitchen Owner Operator Carey Cooper, his LYFE Kitchen Chicago Team, local dignitaries, LYFE Kitchen Executive Chef Art Smith, Chicago Legend and Local Supplier Bill Kurtis, and Alderman Brendan Reilly cut the symbolic ribbon of Brussels sprouts to mark the grand opening.
"We are so happy to open the doors of LYFE Kitchen in our hometown of Chicago," said Mike Roberts, CEO of LYFE Kitchen. "Chicagoans are great foodies, and they reward restaurants with great taste. That's what we hope to deliver with LYFE Kitchen." Alderman Brendan Reilly remarked, "It is a pleasure to welcome LYFE Kitchen to the neighborhood and I am sure it will enrich the River North experience for residents and visitors alike."
"LYFE Kitchen is a pioneering lifestyle concept in Chicago," said owner-operator Carey Cooper. "We can't wait for Chicagoans to visit us and experience what we have to offer: from the menu to the atmosphere to the hospitality of our team. We are thrilled to open our doors to the city of Chicago and are excited to be part of the River North community."
TASTES OF CHICAGO: LOCAL SUPPLIERS
As LYFE Kitchen Restaurant opens in Chicago, local suppliers will play a critical role in providing the freshest products possible throughout the year. LYFE Kitchen has formed partnerships with local vendors who share the same passion and social responsibility beliefs to provide high-quality, great-tasting food and beverages, which allow a new audience to "Love Your Food Everyday."
LYFE Kitchen River North will feature a selection of eclectic and flavorful craft beers to complement its great tasting dishes. The line-up features selections sourced from some of the finest Midwest brewers including Tighthead Brewing (Mundelin, IL), Hopothesis Beer Company (Chicago, IL), Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL) and Boulevard Brewing (Kansas City, MO).
Intelligenstia Coffee is one of Chicago's premier coffee providers. Chicago Magazine's Reader's Choice Award recognized Intelligenstia as the best locally roasted coffee and in 2011 Chicago Time Out awarded them its "Best Local Coffee Roaster" award. Their Fulton Street Roasting Works is home to three Gothot roasters that turnout the hand crafted, delicious coffee that will be served at LYFE Kitchen everyday.
Established in 1873, Cougle Commission Company is one of Chicago's largest family-based poultry processors. Cougle will provide LYFE Kitchen with the highest-quality, Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certified poultry products to make signature dishes like Chef Art's Unfried Chicken.
Buedel Fine Meats and Provisions has been providing Chicago-area restaurants with the highest quality meats since 1907. At LYFE Kitchen Chicago, Buedel will provide the all-natural, humanely raised, grass-fed beef that makes our Classic Burger, in a word, classic.
Founded in 2005 by broadcast journalist and Chicago native Bill Kurtis, Tallgrass Beef Company is the industry leader in the production of grass-fed, grass-finished beef. What started on Kurtis' 10,000 acre, Kansas ranch has grown into a network of family farmers and ranchers across the United States dedicated to a sustainable method of raising cattle that is not only good for the environment, but also the animals themselves and, ultimately, the consumer.
Green Spirit Farms grows organic, pesticide-free vegetables and herbs using innovative vertical farming technology. Their indoor vertical farm produces harvests all year long, using less water and energy than traditional farming. Their farm is located in a former industrial brownfield in Southwest Michigan.
CHEF ART SMITH (TABLE 52), CHEF TAL RONNEN AND CHEF JEREMY BRINGARDNER LEAD THE WAY: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TASTE
LYFE Kitchen Chicago showcases the talent of Chefs Art Smith, Tal Ronnen and Jeremy Bringardner with a trusted and thoughtful menu that features chef-inspired, delicious recipes, plant-based proteins, with all dishes containing fewer than 600 calories and 1,000 milligrams of sodium, with most choices containing much less.
The three chefs began collaborating on the LYFE Kitchen menu in the home kitchen of Chef Smith. Together they spent more than a year on a taste quest to develop signature flavors and one-of-a-kind dishes. The diverse menu offers choices to meet any guest's personal food policies, including menus for guests who eat everything, those who prefer or require gluten-free choices, or vegetarian and vegan options.
NEW STANDARDS IN SUSTAINABILITY
At LYFE Kitchen, as much emphasis is placed on where you eat as what you eat. LYFE Kitchen is the first restaurant group to commit to certifying all restaurants under the LEED Retail: Commercial Interiors rating system.
From the site selection to the landscaping, the decor and furnishings to the high-efficiency kitchen equipment that guests may never see, dozens of measures are taken to ensure that LYFE Kitchen operates as efficiently as possible. The result: dramatic reductions in the use of water, energy and other resources from floor to ceiling, front-of-the-house to back-of-the-house.
The materials in LYFE Kitchen are comprised of Reused and Rapidly Renewable materials, Regional materials, FSC certified wood and high levels of Recycled Content.
Furniture includes Indoor Air Quality Air Certification from Green Guard Environmental Institute and is upholstered with PVC-free material, reducing toxins in the air.
An interior hydroponic Herb Wall educates guests about sustainable food growth, while reducing water use for irrigation through recirculation. The live plants help to filtrate, improving the indoor air quality.
Low-Flow faucets with automatic timers & Low-Flush fixtures to help reduce the amount of water used by a minimum of 20%-40%.
The use of Low-voltage & LED lighting, in conjunction with lighting controls in the LYFE Kitchen Restaurants, reduces energy usage by 35%.
In addition to the restaurant, LYFE Kitchen River North will offer full catering and delivery.
LYFE Kitchen RIVER NORTH 413 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 836-5933
Hours Open daily at 6:30 am Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner
ABOUT LYFE KITCHEN LYFE Kitchen is committed to the idea that great-tasting food can also be good for you, affordable and convenient. With choices to please anyone, from flexitarian to vegetarian, omnivore to vegan, our celebrated chefs have developed a menu that is as delicious as it is inspiring. Using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible with the highest standards of quality and adhering to the highest level of socially responsible practices, LYFE Kitchen is creating a new category of lifestyle restaurant. Visit www.lyfekitchen.com for more.
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