our history + Chef
About Chefs Manna
“Food is health and a pathway to the soul. God gave us the plants and animals for our service in our lives. That is a large responsibility we bear. I believe that we need to show God our respect by being diligent in our care with our plants and animals. That’s why it is important for us to care for our farmers who work so hard to care for the land that goes into our livestock and produce. Our farmers are the ones who have taken on the even larger responsibility to focus their energy on that sole task. As a chef, my responsibilitiy is to take their hard work to the next level and ultimately to the soul of the people I feed. God has allowed me to use my hands to create wonderful plate’s utilizing his creation. I’m honored to share a few of the ways I use the beauty that we have here on Earth.” – Chef ERic
More about Chef Eric
Chef Eric’s true culinary journey began in 2009 when he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Since then, his culinary path has been a honing of his skills and knowledge.
His career took off under Michael Cimarusti at Providence, a renowned two Michelin-starred restaurant in Los Angeles, where he sharpened his skills in Asian American fusion cuisine, with a focus on seafood. This experience ignited his creativity and set the stage for his culinary adventures.
His next experience, Eric ventured to Takashi, a one Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago, further mastering the art of Asian American fusion.
He then joined the team at Lula Cafe under Jason Hammel. This prestigious establishment was deeply committed to gastronomy and farm-to-table principles. This philosophy resonated with Eric’s culinary values.
In 2013, he became the Executive Chef at The Anvil Club in East Dundee, for 6 years, leaving a lasting impact on the local dining scene.
Afterward, he continued his commitment to farm-to-table cuisine at 1776 Restaurant.
His journey took him to be the Executive Chef at the Crystal Lake Country Club in 2021, Eric delighted members with his culinary prowess.
Beyond the restaurant world, Eric founded Chefs Manna in 2020, a meal prep company that embodies his passion for food and faith-driven principles.