Movers and Shakers: Amy Morton, Restaurant Owner & Operator
via Huge Galdones Photography
The world of Chicago hospitality is broad, full of movers and shakers of all kinds. They might be philanthropists or members of the media, but they are most certainly always the people you find in Chicagoland’s kitchens. And that includes Amy Morton, Owner & Operator of Found Kitchen & Social House and The Barn Steakhouse in Evanston, as well as Stolp Island Social in Aurora.
She grew up in the hospitality industry working alongside her father, legendary restaurateur Arnie Morton of Morton's Steakhouse. She learned the business from the ground up, and put all that knowledge to use starting in 2012 when she founded her restaurant group. She currently manages an all-female team (including James Beard Award-Winning Executive Chef Debbie Gold) and everyone in AMDP has played a part to make a difference in Chicago, especially over the last year.
They have all worked with organizations like Connections to the Homeless throughout the last year, supporting those in need. She also opened a pantry to support local farmers and get people in the Evanston community the items they needed. And then over the summer of 2020, she launched Three Sisters Juice with her three daughters, offering cold-pressed juices and smoothies out of Found with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Black Lives Matter. To say she’s a busy woman would be quite the understatement! And she still found time to chat with us for a bit ;) Here’s more from one of the hardest working women in Chicago food…
via Huge Galdones Photography
Tell us a bit of your professional history and how it led you to the hospitality industry.
I have pretty much been in the business my entire life. I was born into a family of restaurateurs/folks in the hospitality business. So long before I got “into” the business, it was already in my blood.
How would you describe the Chicago food world overall?
It's frickin’ fantastic! World class. Something to be savored and saluted by all.
For a first-time Chicago visitor, what restaurants would you recommend as must-try spots?
Wow, that is a tough one. It's hard to imagine anyone coming to our fair city without sampling a deep dish pizza or Italian beef, so those two are for sure.
As for more sit down/upscale dining? I would say my top recommendations would be Lula Cafe in Logan Square for great food and a neighborhood vibe, Sun Wah BBQ for James Beard award-winning Peking Duck or Chinatown for Sunday Dim Sum, and then spend a glorious evening in the garden at Piccolo Sogno. Chef/Owner Tony Priolo runs an amazing operation!
And what would your personal perfect "food day" in the city be?
A perfect food day would be on a Wednesday or Saturday when Green City Market is open. I would go early and get something fresh for breakfast and enjoy it on the grass in the park. I would then cruise the often-overlooked boulevard system in Chicago and pick up fried "everything” from Calumet Fisheries. You can eat it right there or head to the secret Japanese Garden behind the Field Museum. Dinner would need to be light if we ate fried everything for lunch, so I would head somwhere with delicious small plates.
How have you seen the Chicago hospitality industry come together in the last year plus?
The Chicago hospitality industry is strong to begin with, yet what I have witnessed this year has been extraordinary! From the power of the people and neighborhoods, to the Illinois Restaurant Association, to both small and large restaurants and operators getting together to promote each other as well as various marginalized populations. I am continuously in awe.
And as a woman in the field, how do you see women supporting each other and growing their influence in hospitality?
Women owners, operators and chefs are coming together like never before and let me say… it's powerful. Powerful not only because we are strong minded, willed and creative, but also because our numbers are vast. The number of food and beverage-related operations that are driven by women is enormous!
via Huge Galdones Photography
What are some of your favorite women-run businesses in Chicago?
Bettie Bomb PR Agency, NaKorn Urban Thai in Evanston and Bien Assorti for nails!
What advice would you give to a woman looking to open her own business?
Go for it! Don’t wait :)
And what are you most looking forward to for summer in Chicago?
Warm sunny days and cool nights outside!
For more Movers and Shakers across Chicago, check out our other culinary interviews!
By Kaleigh Glaza | Market Editor