Humanizing Chef’s: Dunch Provisions
Humanizing Chefs
Names -
Chad Esmeier
Michael Villareal
Where do you Cook? -
Michael: We cook in spaces that are gracious enough to host us, whether it be a local bar, a restaurant, or a private event. Our pop-up concept is called Dunch Provisions, and its goal is to create unique and memorable food and drink experiences.
Favorite Food –
Chad: Lamb neck, spiced very expensively and braised nice and slow.
Michael: Anything with rice and egg.
Favorite Chef –
Chad: René Redzepi has been a big source of inspiration for me. I tend to focus on pickling, curing, and fermentation in the dishes I put out, and Noma was a big driving force behind that.
Michael: Carlo Lamanga. He’s presenting Filipino food in a really cool nontraditional way that I really resonate with.
Favorite Cincy Restaurant (Past or Present) –
Michael: Pleasantry. I think we both agree on this one.
Chad: Pleasantry. Take me back to fried blue cheese olives and parmesan ice cream.
Favorite Food Memory or Meal -
Michael: Island hopping on the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines. I was with my family, and we were just hopping back and forth from different lake sandbars to smaller islands. We stopped off on a beach and had tinola, kinilaw, and a grilled collar, all prepared from the same fish. I think it was milkfish, but I’m not sure. That, plus a fresh coconut to sip on, equaled the perfect sensory experience.
Chad: Going to the grocery store as a kid with my mom, especially when I successfully nagged her into buying me Lunchables.
I first knew I wanted to be a chef when -
Chad: I was in the kitchen a lot as a kid. My parents sent me to a “chef camp” when I was like, 12. The camp taught some basic knife skills and recipes, and the usefulness of keeping a home garden. I was really fascinated by everything about it, and I told myself I’d be a real chef one day.
Michael: I was in my early 20s and left college after switching my major several times. I knew that I loved cooking, and cooking for people specifically, but it didn’t really set in right away. Over the past few years, it’s definitely hit me that I want to continue to grow as a chef.
If I weren’t a chef, I would be -
Chad: I’d be focused more on graphic design. With that being said, I’m a big fan of mixing the things I love, and Dunch gives me the opportunity to do some really cool branding and menu design.
Michael: A bartender. Or a bar consultant. Something in the beverage industry. I have a lot of hats. Anyone need a hat? I need to get rid of some.
My first job was -
Chad: Graeter’s. I used to stain my arms purple from scooping black raspberry chip ice cream and come home smelling like waffle cones. I kinda miss that job.
Michael: Mine was ice cream too- Cold Stone Creamery.
Why I love my job, in three words -
Chad: Total creative freedom.
Michael: Possibilities are endless.
If I could have dinner with anybody, alive or dead, it would be -
Michael: Questlove, hands down. He seems like a great person to have a meaningful conversation with.
Chad: Guy Fieri. The mayor of Flavortown. Big fan.
My favorite book is -
Michael: Flow. It’s a book about the psychology of optimal experience.
Chad: The Flavor Bible. I keep a copy in my backpack just in case I want to reference it while I’m working.
Favorite thing to cook after a busy service-
Michael: A pack of noodles with a soft egg.
Chad: Frozen taquitos with an offensive amount of hot sauce.
Favorite Movie –
Chad: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. I still aspire to get out of a limo on Fifth Avenue with a giant cheese pizza to this day.
Michael: Best in Show. It’s a really funny mockumentary about a dog competition.
Favorite TV show –
Chad: Unwrapped with Marc Summers, what a classic.
Michael: Scrubs. It’s my comfort show.
Favorite Song –
Chad: Blue Chips by Action Bronson.
Michael: Spottieottiedopaliscious by Outkast.
Favorite Band or Musician –
Chad: Flying Lotus.
Michael: It’s hard for me to decide because I’m a musician, so I’m giving two. Thundercat and the band Crumb.
Favorite Place to travel –
Michael: Anywhere that has an ocean.
Chad: Red River Gorge, for sure, especially in the spring.
Favorite Hobby –
Chad: Vinyl wrapping. It’s unforgiving to error and super satisfying when you do it right, like many other things I enjoy.
Michael: Playing bass. I play in a band called Season Ten.
Favorite Quote -
Michael: “In some cuisines, what you’re looking at, at the highest level, is a competent reproduction.” -Ryan Roadhouse
Chad: “I’m not afraid to look like an idiot.” -Anthony Bourdain
Biggest pet peeve -
Chad: Bare fingers in the pickle jar should be punishable with jail time.
Michael: Using metal utensils on nonstick surfaces. Don’t mess up my rice cooker.
My advice to future culinary pros -
Chad: Never become complacent with your skill level, clean your fridge gaskets, and most importantly, drink lots of water.
Michael: Always be learning, changing, and sharing.
