TO MASTER THE ART to Host Post-Show Discussions with Chicago Chefs at Broadway Playhouse, 9/18-10/16

Broadway In Chicago has announced that TO MASTER THE ART, by William Brown and Doug Frew, will host post-show Q&A discussions with Chicago's own award-winning chefs and renowned restaurant professionals at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut). Created to celebrate the continuing influence of Julia Child as well as Chicago's own thriving restaurants, special guests will share stories from their own experiences and how Julia Child inspired them in the food industry.

Following select Wednesday performances, notable Chicago chefs will participate in post-show discussions featuring Chef Dominique Tougne, Executive Chef and owner of Chez Moi, on Sept. 18, 2013, Chef Didier Durand, Executive Chef and owner of Cyrano's Farm Kitchen, on Sept. 25, 2013, Chef John Asbaty of Panozzo's Italian Market on Oct. 2, 2013, Chef Martial Noguier, Executive Chef and owner of Bistronomic on Oct. 9, 2013 and George and Christina Lemperis, Owner and Manager of The Palace Grill, on Oct. 16, 2013.

Chef Dominique Tougne, Chez Moi (Guest on Sept. 18)
Chef Dominique was born in Alsace, the northeast region of France. From age 14, he trained at the culinary school in Blois outside of Paris then continued cooking with such French culinary greats as Jacques Senechal and Joel Robuchon. In 1996, he was recruited by the Levy Restaurant Organization to be Chef de Cuisine at Bistro 110 in Chicago where he remained until 2011, when he left to pursue his dream of owning his own restaurant. Chez Moi, 2100 N. Halsted, is Chef Dominique Tougne's labor of love which he created with former Blackhawks player Cristobal Huet. Opened in May 2012, Chez Moi is a beautiful, intimate French restaurant, which highlights classic French bistro dishes in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park. He is as widely recognized in Chicago for his delicious French cuisine as his generous smile and ebullient personality. Since opening, Chez Moi has had many accolades including being named one ofChicago Magazine's "Best New Restaurants" in 2013.

Chef Didier Durand, Cyrano's Farm Kitchen (Guest on Sept. 25)
Chef Didier was born and raised in Bergerac, France, the hometown of the legendary dramatist and duelist Cyrano de Bergerac. After graduating from the Lycee Hotelier de Naillac in 1979, he held several seasonal jobs all over Europe, including a two-year span at Eugenie Les Bains for acclaimed chef Michel Guerard, his mentor. He then came to Chicago in 1986, and for 10 years, worked at highly-regarded restaurants such as Carlos, La Forêt, La Bohéme, L'Escargots, Gordon, Yvette Wintergarden and Le Perroquet. In 1996, Didier and his wife opened Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar, which they transformed into Cyrano's Farm Kitchen in 2012. They also own and operate Cyrano's Cafe on the Riverwalk, a picturesque riverside cafe between Columbus and Michigan on the south bank of the Chicago River.

Located in the heart of the River North district of downtown Chicago, Cyrano's Farm Kitchen has been the home of fresh French country fare since its opening in February of 2012. Chef Didier Durand brings the traditions of hearty, healthy cuisine and warm hospitality to life right here in the Second City. Featuring a continuously-updating seasonal menu full of old favorites, new classics, craft cocktails, and inspired desserts, Cyrano's offers something sure to tantalize every palette - whether you're searching for that rare find, or simply coming back for more of what you love. Jamie Pellar, Chef Didier's wife, maintains and curates one of the best wine cellars in the city. Full of French favorites as well as selections from Spain, Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand, their affordable by-the-glass and bottle selection puts the final flourish on a remarkable dining experience.

Chef John Asbaty, Panozzo's Italian Market (Guest on Oct. 2)
After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2002, John Asbaty went on to attend The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (now Le Cordon Bleu), where he graduated in 2003. He worked under Grant Achatz at Trio Restaurant in Evanston, and followed Chef Achatz as an opening team member of Alinea in Chicago in 2005. Asbaty left Alinea in 2006, and after some extensive travel, fell in love with the rustic cuisine and culture of Italy. He helped open Panozzo's Italian Market in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago in 2007 and remains the Chef there today, where he combines Italian food philosophy with Midwestern ingredients, supports local farmers and producers and serves simple, ingredient-driven, Italian-inspiRed Food.

Panozzo's Italian Market is a collaborative labor of love for owners Mike and Ellen Panozzo, Tony Gierczyk and John Asbaty. Operating a small, family Italian food market similar to the ones he grew up with in Chicago's Pullman neighborhood on the South Side had long been one of Mike's dreams. Upon relocating from Oak Park to the vibrant, booming South Loop, Mike & Ellen immediately saw an opportunity to bring a classic Italian market their new neighborhood, a vision that was eagerly adopted by Tony and John. Panozzo's Italian Market strives only to offer carefully prepared quality foods at reasonable prices, and in a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.

Chef Martial Noguier, Bistronomic (Guest on Oct. 9)
Martial Noguier, Executive Chef and part-owner of Bistronomic, brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to the modern gastronomic bistro located in the heart of Chicago's notable Gold Coast neighborhood. Originally hailing from Paris, France, Chef Noguier worked for a number of French chefs before coming to the United States. He continued to gain experience while serving as Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine for various prestigious hotels and fine-dining establishments before relocating to Chicago. Prior to his position at Bistronomic, Noguier served as Executive Chef at One Sixtyblue among several other Executive Chef positions. Under his tutelage, One Sixtyblue was named "Best Restaurant of 2006" by the Chicago Sun-Times, and he received additional accolades from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine and North Shore Magazine. While at the Sofitel in 2009, Chef Noguier was honored as "Chef of the Year" byChicago Social Magazine and received his first James Beard Foundation Award nomination.

Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash, an award-winning restaurant, offers homemade, modern cuisine rooted in the French culture and the bistro experience. Showcasing seasonal and sustainable ingredients from Midwestern farms, the Gold Coast neighborhood restaurant's bistro fare features big flavors, a variety of portion sizes and options, and is prepared entirely in-house. The name, Bistronomic, is a combination of three words: bistro / gastronomy / economic, and the restaurant is Chef Noguier's long-time dream come to fruition - to create a contemporary bistro that is both approachable and affordable.

George and Christina Lemperis, The Palace Grill (Guest on Oct. 16)
George Lemperis has owned and managed the Palace Grill for 35 years. He has a large passion for life and the family business. George warmly greets customers by name as they enter his establishment and has created everlasting friendships with many of his clientele. In 2012, George's daughter, Christina, joined the Palace Grill team to carry on the family tradition.

The Palace Grill is a classic diner with stainless steel counters and tables, serving great food at affordable prices for 75 years. Throughout the years the Palace Grill has been featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Windy City LIVE," "The Sandwich King," "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef," Blackhawks TV, WGN's "Chicago's Best" and most recently NHL 36. The Blackhawks regularly pick up egg sandwiches also known as "heart stoppers" before practice and the Stanley Cup has been to the restaurant too many times to count! Chicago Sun Times' critic Pat Bruno voted the Palace Grill the "Best Breakfast Restaurant" in Chicago. Best known for their famous Denver Omelette & Hash Browns or Skirt Steak & Eggs, the restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner (beer, wine, and champagne available). For the latest, check them out at palacegrillonmadison.com or on Facebook at The Palace Grill. The diner is located at 1408 W. Madison Street, Chicago.

ABOUT TO MASTER THE ART: Commissioned by TimeLine Theatre Company, TO MASTER THE ART received its world premiere at TimeLine in 2010, receiving more than 20 rave reviews and five Jeff Award nominations, including New Work and Production. The play recalls the adventure and romance of Julia and Paul Child's journey of discovery to Paris during the 1950s. From the bistro where Julia fell in love with food, to the kitchen table where she recreated everything learned during cooking class, to a room where Paul was grilled by U.S. agents about alleged Communist contact, this is the epic love story of a larger-than-life culinary icon and her remarkable husband as they struggle to find themselves as Americans abroad.

The performance schedule for TO MASTER THE ART is as follows:
Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (additional matinee performances on 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 and 10/16 at 2 p.m.)
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m. (additional performances on 9/15 and 9/22 at 6:30 p.m.)
Please note: Ticket prices and performance schedule are subject to change.

Tickets for to master the art at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place range from $25-$75. A select number of premium seats are also available for many performances. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Kiosk at Water Tower Place (845 N. Michigan Ave.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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