Erling Wu-Bower, executive chef and co-owner of Pacific Standard Time and The Laurel Room
It’s been just over a month since Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statewide ban on dine-in restaurants to slow the spread of COVID-19–all but decimating Chicago’s thriving dining industry. To help make sense of a harrowing few weeks for independent restaurants in particular, we chatted on Zoom with Erling Wu-Bower, executive chef and co-owner of Pacific Standard Time and The Laurel Room. This important episode covers what it looks like when a dine-in restaurant pivots to carryout, whether the federal government’s response will be enough to save independent eateries, and what listeners can do to help their fave spots (buy merch!). We’ll also hear about what this longtime chef is cooking at home during these trying times (hint: plenty of chicken).