Chef Rick Gresh
Chef At Home In Round Lake
Get to know me better
I'm a passionate guy, I take every thing to 11. I think outside the box & laughter is very important to me.
Rick Gresh earned his associate degree in culinary arts at the nationally renowned Culinary Institute of America, while also landing an impressive externship at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. After graduation he worked his way up at Trio, Celebrity Café at the Hotel Nikko and Tsunami in Chicago. At just 23, Rick became Executive Chef of Chicago’s Green Dolphin Street; the restaurant thrived under his leadership and won a three-star review from the Chicago Tribune. He went on to lead such prestigious restaurants as The Wyndham Hotel Chicago, Caliterra Restaurant and the Saddle & Cycle Club. In 2004 and 2006 he was a USA competition finalist in the world’s premier culinary competition, the Bocuse D’Or. Rick has earned many acclaims including AOL best fine dining restaurant in Chicago, Chicago Reader best steakhouse, Chicago Magazine best dry aged steak & best bread, and top 10 steakhouses in America from Gayot. He has been named one of five “men to watch” by Chicago Magazine and Plate Magazine’s Chef Humanitarian of the Year 2011. In 2013 David Burke Primehouse earned “Best Steakhouse in Chicago” by Chicago Magazine while under Rick’s leadership. As Executive Chef, he was part of the opening management team of the first Virgin Hotel worldwide where he managed all food outlets including The Commons Club, Miss Ricky’s, Cerise (rooftop bar), 203 Coffee & Wine Bar, banquets and room service. Rick was the Director of U.S. Culinary Operations for Ace Bounce & Flight Club. Most recently he was the Culinary Director for Pella Signature and Atomic Hospitality. He is frequently asked to speak and demonstrate as a culinary expert at events around the country.
I am happy to work with you to create a custom menu to make your event fantastic.

More about me
For me, cooking is...
The air I breathe, I love food, I love wine, cocktails. I love creating menus and constantly pushing myself to be the best.
I learned to cook at...
It all started with my family, we cooked a lot growing up, we had a garden, preserved our foods in pickles, jams, canning.
A cooking secret...
Cooking with love, cooking from the heart.
My menus
"LINGUINI AND CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL" - clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
ASPARAGUS - lemon confit, goat cheese, croutes
BRUSCHETTA - honey roasted tomatoes, seared Belgian endive, balsamic
FOCACCIA - olive and herb, ricotta spread (this is included, no need to choose)
SMOKED CHICKEN SKEWERS - balsamic glaze, oregano
ARTICHOKE & FENNEL - shaved raw, lemon, olive oil, arugula
ARUGULA - truffle smoked tomatoes, goat cheese fondue, herb vinaigrette
AHI TUNA - shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
CLASSIC CAESAR - romaine, parmesan cheese, creamy garlicky dressing, croutons, white anchovies
UNCAESAR - endive, radicchio, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, white anchovies
MED SPREAD - cucumber, oven dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, garbanzo beans, basil vinaigrette, avocado hummus
OCTOPUS - duck fat braised, potatoes, olive, arugula
LAMB ROTOLO - spinach ricotta cheese filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
MUSHROOM CAVETELLI asparagus, wood-roasted locally grown mushrooms, lemon, truffles, parmesan
ONION RISOTTO - leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
PERCIATELLI - lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
SEAFOOD STEW - bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
BRACIOLE - stuffed braised flank steak, herbs, parmesan cheese, tomato sauce
PORK MILANESE - breaded pork chop, honey roasted tomatoes, balsamic shallots
CROASTADA - apple, orange, spices, vanilla gelato
PANNA COTTA - vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
TIRAMISU - mascarpone mousse, coffee soaked lady fingers, cocoa
View full menu
SMOKED SALMON - brown sugar rub, cucumber, tomato, red onion, caper, horseradish cream sauce, cream cheese, assorted bagels
HAM & CHEESE BISCUITS - smoked ham, cheddar cheese, honey butter
SANGRIA FRUIT - assorted slice fruit, berries & citrus spiked with rose wine
LEMON BLUEBERRY MUFFINS - streusel topping
GRANOLA TART - berries, yogurt, almonds, oats, brown sugar, vanilla
MINI AVOCADO "TOASTS" - puff pastry, avocado, honey roasted tomatoes
CINNAMON ROLL - pull apart mini buns, cinnamon sugar, butter, sweet icing, dipping sauces
EGGS BENEDICT - poached eggs, Canadian ham, English muffin, hollandaise
CHILAQUILAS VERDE - tortillas, tomatillo poblano salsa, queso fresco, red onion, cilantro
CHICKEN IN WAFFLES - fried chicken stuffed waffles, hot honey maple
TATOR TOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE - tator tots, eggs, breakfast sausage, jalapeño jack cheese
BREAKFAST MEATS - bacon, chicken apple sausage (Included)
SMASHED HASH - bacon fat cooked potatoes, bell peppers, onions, herbs (included)
EGGS IN PURGATORY - eggs, tomatoes, feta cheese, spices
QUICHE LORRAINE - eggs, bacon, gruyere cheese, caramelized onions
POTATO & EGGS - gratin of potatoes, caramelized onions, bacon, taleggio cheese with eggs
BERRY CRISP - oat streusel, vanilla whippy
BANANA CRUMB CAKE - dairy free, spices, caramelized bananas
COOKIES & MILK - chocolate chip cookies, vanilla milkshake
View full menu
Linguini and Clams on the Half Shell – Clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
Asparagus – Lemon confit, goat cheese, croutes
Bruschetta – Honey roasted tomatoes, seared Belgian endive, balsamic
Smoked Chicken Skewers – Balsamic glaze, oregano
Artichoke & Fennel – Shaved raw, lemon, olive oil, arugula
Arugula – Truffle smoked tomatoes, goat cheese fondue, herb vinaigrette
Ahi Tuna – Shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
Classic Caesar – Romaine, parmesan cheese, creamy garlicky dressing, croutons, white anchovies
Uncaesar – Endive, radicchio, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, white anchovies
Med Spread – Cucumber, oven-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, garbanzo beans, basil vinaigrette, avocado hummus
Octopus – Duck fat braised, potatoes, olives, arugula
Lamb Rotolo – Spinach ricotta cheese-filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
Mushroom Cavatelli – Asparagus, wood-roasted locally grown mushrooms, lemon, truffles, parmesan
Onion Risotto – Leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
Perciatelli – Lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
Seafood Stew – Bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
Braciole – Stuffed braised flank steak, herbs, parmesan cheese, tomato sauce
Pork Milanese – Breaded pork chop, honey roasted tomatoes, balsamic shallots
Croastada – Apple, orange, spices, vanilla gelato
Panna Cotta – Vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
Tiramisu – Mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa
View full menu
Escargot – Garlic herb butter, crispy breadcrumbs
Linguini and Clams on the Half Shell – Clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
Ahi Tuna – Shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
Octopus – Duck fat braised, potatoes, olives, arugula
Cassoulet – Duck confit, white beans, tomatoes, garlic sausage
Onion Risotto – Leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
Perciatelli – Lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
Beef Sirloin – Potato gratin, carrots, spiced red wine syrup
Lamb Rotolo – Spinach ricotta cheese-filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
Seafood Stew – Bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
Crème Brûlée Tasting – Vanilla, butterscotch, dark chocolate, seasonal fruit
Tiramisu – Mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa
Panna Cotta – Vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
View full menu
AHI CRUDO MINI TACOS - ahi tuna, cucumber, chili bean vinaigrette
ASPARAGUS - lemon confit, goat cheese, croutes
BRUSCHETTA - honey roasted tomatoes, seared Belgian endive, balsamic
BEEF CARPACCIO - truffle mousse, mushrooms, shallots, croutes
SWEET POTATO SKEWERS - maple bourbon glaze
DUMPLINGS - ginger pork dumplings, sweet soy sauce
ARUGULA - truffle smoked tomatoes, goat cheese fondue, herb vinaigrette
UNCAESAR - endive, radicchio, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, white anchovies
VOLCANIC BEETS - beets, cooked in coals, arugula, sherry vinaigrette, toasted almonds
SCALLOPS - peas, bacon, leeks, brown butter citrus sauce
LOBSTER - lobster, herb butter, spiced puff pastry
OCTOPUS - duck fat braised, potatoes, olive, arugula
BEEF SIRLOIN - potato gratin, carrots, spiced red wine syrup
BONE IN PORK ROAST - chorizo, clams, fennel, tomatoes, saffron rice
HALIBUT - capers, preserved lemons, butter, pomme fondant
MUSHROOM CAVETELLI asparagus, wood-roasted locally grown mushrooms, lemon, truffles, parmesan
PERCIATELLI - lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
POLENTA - smoked mushrooms, ricotta, basil
SALMON - potato mushroom pave, asparagus, black truffle vinaigrette
ROASTED CHICKEN - green beans, pomme fondant, creamy mustard sauce
BERRY CRISP - oat streusel, vanilla whippy
CHOCOLATE PAVE - chocolate mousse, almond crispy crunch, cherries
COOKIES & MILK - chocolate chip cookies, vanilla milkshake
CROASTADA - apple, orange, spices, vanilla gelato
CRÈME BRULEE - burnt sugar, vanilla, mixed berries
LEMON LOVE - lemon lavender cake, lemon mousse, berries, whippy
View full menu
SEAFOOD TOWER - shrimp, lobster, crab legs, oysters, cocktail sauce, mignonette
LOBSTER - lobster, herb butter, spiced puff pastry
CHORIZO BACON STUFFED DATES - piquillo pepper sauce
BACON SKEWERS - bourbon maple glaze
AHI CRUDO MINI TACOS - ahi tuna, cucumber, chili bean vinaigrette
"LINGUINI AND CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL" - clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
BEEF CARPACCIO - truffle mousse, mushrooms, shallots, croutes
DUCK A L'ORANGE - duck dumplings, citrus chutney
DUMPLINGS - truffled mushrooms, arugula chimichurri
CLASSIC CAESAR - romaine, parmesan cheese, creamy garlicky dressing, croutons, white anchovies
UNCAESAR - endive, radicchio, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus vinaigrette, croutons
LOBSTER BISQUE - rich lobster soup, lobster dumplings
SCALLOPS - peas, bacon, leeks, brown butter citrus sauce
ARUGULA - truffle smoked tomatoes, goat cheese fondue, herb vinaigrette
BEEF SIRLOIN - potato gratin, carrots, spiced red wine syrup
FILET OSCAR - filet mignon, crabmeat, asparagus, hollandaise sauce
SALMON - potato mushroom pave, asparagus, black truffle vinaigrette
HALIBUT - capers, preserved lemons, butter, pomme fondant
SURF & TURF - beef sirloin, garlic & chili shrimp, potato gratin, carrots, spiced red wine syrup
SMOKED & CHARRED CARROTS - goat cheese, pine nuts, white balsamic vinaigrette, herbs
CREAMED GREENS - spinach, swiss chard, parmesan cream
POTATO CASSEROLE - bacon, caramelized onions, tellagio cheese, cream
TEMPURA BEANS - sweet teriyaki dipping sauce
MUSHROOMS & ONIONS - roasted with garlic & herbs
CAULIFLOWER GRATIN - cheesy creamy gratin with bread crumbs and Parmesan
CHEESECAKE - berries, chocolate sauce
CHOCOLATE PAVE - chocolate mousse, almond crispy crunch, cherries
LEMON LOVE - lemon lavender cake, lemon mousse, berries, whippy
View full menu
Escargot – Garlic herb butter, crispy breadcrumbs
Linguini and Clams on the Half Shell – Clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
Ahi Tuna – Shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
Octopus – Duck fat braised, potatoes, olives, arugula
Cassoulet – Duck confit, white beans, tomatoes, garlic sausage
Onion Risotto – Leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
Perciatelli – Lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
Beef Sirloin – Potato gratin, carrots, spiced red wine syrup
Lamb Rotolo – Spinach ricotta cheese-filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
Seafood Stew – Bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
Crème Brûlée Tasting – Vanilla, butterscotch, dark chocolate, seasonal fruit
Tiramisu – Mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa
Panna Cotta – Vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
View full menu
CHAWAN MUSHI - steamed savory egg custard, shrimp, scallions
DUMPLINGS - ginger pork dumplings, sweet soy sauce
GLUTEN FREE VEGETABLE TEMPURA - squash, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, cauliflower, sweet and spicy soy sauce
TOGARASHI LOBSTER - yuzu & soy butter sauce, basil
GOMAE - spinach salad with toasted sesame dressing
MISO SOUP - tofu, scallions, kombu, cabbage
SASHIMI/SUSHI - assorted raw fish, soy sauce, wasabi, ginger, pickles
SMOKED CHICKEN SKEWERS - yuzu bbq sauce
CRISPY SNAPPER - pickled cucumbers, rice, sticky chili sauce
KATSU DON - pork or chicken cutlet, rice, caramelized onion broth, nori
BEEF TERIYAKI - sirloin steak, miso glazed eggplant, teriyaki sauce
DUCK - bok choy, sweet spiced soy glaze
SALMON - furikake crusted, buckwheat noodles, cucumbers, ginger sauce
RAMEN - homemade alkaline noodles, rich chicken broth, scallions, greens, egg, roast pork
COOKIES - miso butter and green tea cookies
KOBOCHA SQUASH PIE - squash custard, pie crust, whipped cream
View full menu
"LINGUINI AND CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL" - clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
ASPARAGUS - lemon confit, goat cheese, croutes
BRUSCHETTA - honey roasted tomatoes, seared Belgian endive, balsamic
FOCACCIA - olive and herb, ricotta spread (this is included, no need to choose)
SMOKED CHICKEN SKEWERS - balsamic glaze, oregano
ARTICHOKE & FENNEL - shaved raw, lemon, olive oil, arugula
ARUGULA - truffle smoked tomatoes, goat cheese fondue, herb vinaigrette
AHI TUNA - shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
CLASSIC CAESAR - romaine, parmesan cheese, creamy garlicky dressing, croutons, white anchovies
UNCAESAR - endive, radicchio, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, white anchovies
MED SPREAD - cucumber, oven dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, garbanzo beans, basil vinaigrette, avocado hummus
OCTOPUS - duck fat braised, potatoes, olive, arugula
LAMB ROTOLO - spinach ricotta cheese filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
MUSHROOM CAVETELLI asparagus, wood-roasted locally grown mushrooms, lemon, truffles, parmesan
ONION RISOTTO - leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
PERCIATELLI - lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
SEAFOOD STEW - bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
BRACIOLE - stuffed braised flank steak, herbs, parmesan cheese, tomato sauce
PORK MILANESE - breaded pork chop, honey roasted tomatoes, balsamic shallots
CROASTADA - apple, orange, spices, vanilla gelato
PANNA COTTA - vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
TIRAMISU - mascarpone mousse, coffee soaked lady fingers, cocoa
View full menu
SMOKED SALMON - brown sugar rub, cucumber, tomato, red onion, caper, horseradish cream sauce, cream cheese, assorted bagels
HAM & CHEESE BISCUITS - smoked ham, cheddar cheese, honey butter
SANGRIA FRUIT - assorted slice fruit, berries & citrus spiked with rose wine
LEMON BLUEBERRY MUFFINS - streusel topping
GRANOLA TART - berries, yogurt, almonds, oats, brown sugar, vanilla
MINI AVOCADO "TOASTS" - puff pastry, avocado, honey roasted tomatoes
CINNAMON ROLL - pull apart mini buns, cinnamon sugar, butter, sweet icing, dipping sauces
EGGS BENEDICT - poached eggs, Canadian ham, English muffin, hollandaise
CHILAQUILAS VERDE - tortillas, tomatillo poblano salsa, queso fresco, red onion, cilantro
CHICKEN IN WAFFLES - fried chicken stuffed waffles, hot honey maple
TATOR TOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE - tator tots, eggs, breakfast sausage, jalapeño jack cheese
BREAKFAST MEATS - bacon, chicken apple sausage (Included)
SMASHED HASH - bacon fat cooked potatoes, bell peppers, onions, herbs (included)
EGGS IN PURGATORY - eggs, tomatoes, feta cheese, spices
QUICHE LORRAINE - eggs, bacon, gruyere cheese, caramelized onions
POTATO & EGGS - gratin of potatoes, caramelized onions, bacon, taleggio cheese with eggs
BERRY CRISP - oat streusel, vanilla whippy
BANANA CRUMB CAKE - dairy free, spices, caramelized bananas
COOKIES & MILK - chocolate chip cookies, vanilla milkshake
View full menu
Linguini and Clams on the Half Shell – Clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
Asparagus – Lemon confit, goat cheese, croutes
Bruschetta – Honey roasted tomatoes, seared Belgian endive, balsamic
Smoked Chicken Skewers – Balsamic glaze, oregano
Artichoke & Fennel – Shaved raw, lemon, olive oil, arugula
Arugula – Truffle smoked tomatoes, goat cheese fondue, herb vinaigrette
Ahi Tuna – Shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
Classic Caesar – Romaine, parmesan cheese, creamy garlicky dressing, croutons, white anchovies
Uncaesar – Endive, radicchio, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, citrus vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, white anchovies
Med Spread – Cucumber, oven-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, garbanzo beans, basil vinaigrette, avocado hummus
Octopus – Duck fat braised, potatoes, olives, arugula
Lamb Rotolo – Spinach ricotta cheese-filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
Mushroom Cavatelli – Asparagus, wood-roasted locally grown mushrooms, lemon, truffles, parmesan
Onion Risotto – Leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
Perciatelli – Lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
Seafood Stew – Bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
Braciole – Stuffed braised flank steak, herbs, parmesan cheese, tomato sauce
Pork Milanese – Breaded pork chop, honey roasted tomatoes, balsamic shallots
Croastada – Apple, orange, spices, vanilla gelato
Panna Cotta – Vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
Tiramisu – Mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa
View full menu
Escargot – Garlic herb butter, crispy breadcrumbs
Linguini and Clams on the Half Shell – Clams, white wine, garlic, mini linguini, herbs
Ahi Tuna – Shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette, toasted almonds
Octopus – Duck fat braised, potatoes, olives, arugula
Cassoulet – Duck confit, white beans, tomatoes, garlic sausage
Onion Risotto – Leeks, shallots, pearl, Spanish, red, green, black olives, red wine sauce
Perciatelli – Lobster, artichokes, tomatoes, chilies, basil
Beef Sirloin – Potato gratin, carrots, spiced red wine syrup
Lamb Rotolo – Spinach ricotta cheese-filled pasta, wood-fired lamb ragu, tomatoes, olives, mint
Seafood Stew – Bass, clams, mussels, lobsters, saffron, tomatoes, fennel, seafood broth
Crème Brûlée Tasting – Vanilla, butterscotch, dark chocolate, seasonal fruit
Tiramisu – Mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa
Panna Cotta – Vanilla bean, fresh berry compote
View full menu
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