About Carlyn!
Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007
As a fourth-generation member of one of Chicago’s most prominent restaurant families, Carlyn Berghoff had a passion for food that was nurtured from the womb. Over the past 22 years she has established herself as a successful entrepreneur and restaurateur, and has gained the respect of the dining industry, media and public. She serves as founder of Artistic Events, owner of the Berghoff, owner of the Berghoff Café downtown location, and partner in the Berghoff Café O’Hare location. Carlyn Berghoff opened the doors to the new Berghoff on September 17th. The menu comprises European cuisine and German favorites, ranging from Escargot Stuffed Mushrooms to Wiener Schnitzel.
Berghoff follows the theme of “tradition with a twist” by serving a wide range of fare in one of three comfortable dining rooms. In 1986, she founded Carlyn Berghoff Catering, now Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group, which ranks among Chicago’s premier event planning companies. Berghoff Catering has been featured in both national magazines and newspapers alike. She received a prestigious Augie award for the “Outstanding Corporate Event” from the Culinary Institute of America. She has been named “Woman of the Year” by Chicago Women in Hospitality, and “New Entrepreneur of the Decade” by Meeting Planners International, Chicago Chapter.
Carlyn is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Business from Florida International University. Her many endeavors have garnered positive media coverage in Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Today’s Chicago Woman, and North Shore Magazine. Carlyn and her mother, Jan, are writing The Berghoff Family Cookbook, which will include 150 recipes of the best-loved, traditional Berghoff recipes as well as popular favorites from Berghoff Catering. Readers will find first-time published recipes, entertaining tips, event menus, beautiful photography and four generations of Berghoff family history when it is released in September 2007.
As Carlyn Berghoff McClure, she is the mother of three small children and is using her culinary expertise for her favorite project: raising healthy children and teaching them to love food and develop nutritious eating habits. Carlyn is also a permanent online consultant for iParenting.com, the leading resource website for parents with young children, which boasts 1.5 million unique visitors per month. She is also a certified Spin instructor.