Staffing

Ghost kitchen concepts land fine-dining chef

Good Eats Group, which owns several restaurants in Chicago, has appointed Amanda Barnes as chef de cuisine.

March 3, 2021

Good Eats Group, which owns several restaurants in Chicago, has appointed Amanda Barnes as chef de cuisine.

Working alongside Good Eats Group co-owners and operators, John McLean and Martin Murch, Barnes will lead the culinary direction of the group's brick-and-mortar and ghost kitchen concepts, including Burger Bar Chicago, Sono Wood Fired Chicago, Sociale Chicago, Café Press Chicago, Good Eats at Home and the newly opened Charred Wing Bar Chicago. The group focuses on casual, chef-driven dining experiences with menu items inspired by the team's vast global experiences, according to a company press release.

"What drew me to Good Eats Group was the collaborative and inclusive spirit," Barnes said in the release. "All employees are encouraged to contribute to the group's development and that's something I wanted to be part of. We have dishes and cocktails on the menu that are passed down family recipes from team members of all positions; it's an environment for everyone to grow together."

A Texas native, Barnes established herself in Chicago's culinary scene beginning in 2007 with positions at Moto, The Publican, Hot Chocolate, Celeste, The Alinea Group and most recently, The Hotel at Midtown including Midtown Athletic Club and Chromium Restaurant.

She's opened 11 restaurant concepts and consulted on various branding and menu development projects. Her culinary focus is cultivating a fresh, creative approach to American cuisine using local, seasonal ingredients, according to the release.

.