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Donnie Madia

@donniemadia

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One Off Hospitality Restaurateur - Husband - Father

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Years ago, when @samkassdc was a young cook in Chicago working at avec, my business partner @paulkahan took him on a walk through Green City Market. Paul asked Sam “What do you want to do with yourself?” Sam’s response was pretty profound. He said: “I want to change the world with food.” He wasn’t kidding.

Sam went on to become the White House chef for the Obama family, Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition in the Obama administration, Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign, and is now a Partner in Acre Venture Partners, a firm built around the powerful idea that innovation can help create a healthier, more sustainable and successful food system.

On Friday night at the Obama Presidential Center the @juliachildfoundation honored Sam as the 12th recipient of the Julia Child Award, given each year to one person who has changed the way America cooks, eats and thinks about food and nutrition. I was humbled and grateful to be a part of the ceremony. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in the world. This is a huge honor for my dear friend Sam, and for everyone who grew up with him along the way.

The night was a beautiful tribute to his family, his dad, and his roots here in Hyde Park, Chicago. Sam has always surrounded himself with people who love him, and on this special night, he was able give back to them too. Thank you to the Julia Child Foundation, Koren Grieveson, Tina Tchen, Deb Eschmeyer, Lucas Mann, Eric Spivey, Julia Child’s family…and many more who attended, and of course President and Mrs. Obama for their beautiful, heartfelt letter. by @donniemadia

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2 days ago

Back in New York! 🗽🍻

Chef Rob Levitt of The Publican and Chef Kyle Huff of Publican Quality Meats are coming together at Platform by JBF to create a beautiful menu celebrating Oktoberfest.

This will be a special evening, with wines thoughtfully selected by partner and owner Eduard Seitan and hospitality from yours truly!

Join us for a night of great food, great wine, and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit. Tickets are already on sale, please join us! Link in bio. Prost! by @donniemadia

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15 days ago

Honored. Humbled. Grateful. ❤️

I’m incredibly honored to be joining Chef Sam Kass on October 9 at the Obama Presidential Center as he is awarded the Julia Child Award.

It will be a special evening celebrating Julia Child’s incredible legacy and our dear friend @samkassdc , whose talent, passion, and contributions to food, hospitality, and the environment have made such an impact on the way we think about food and where it comes from.

There are still a limited number of tickets available, and we would love for you to join us as we celebrate this incredible honor with Sam.

DM us with any questions. We hope to see you there! by @donniemadia

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18 days ago

Today is National Food Service Worker Day, and we’re celebrating the people who make it all happen. ❤️

Good food doesn’t happen without good people. From the kitchen to the dining room and every role in between, our teams are the reason we get to do what we do. Their hard work, care, and attention to detail are felt in every plate that leaves the kitchen and every guest who walks through our doors.

To everyone who shows up, works hard, and helps make these places what they are, thank you. We’re so grateful for you today and every day. 🍽️ @givingkitchen #FSWDay by @donniemadia

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21 days ago

We’re thrilled to be joined by Donnie Madia, Managing Partner/Owner of Chicago’s One Off Hospitality Group for the upcoming Julia Child Award Presentation, taking place October 9 at the Obama Presidential Center. You may recognize Donnie—shown here (on the right) with Julia and Chef Paul Kahan, one of his partners in One Off Hospitality—from TV, as he played himself on FX’s award-winning show The Bear. Donnie has known Sam since his days working at avec, part of the One Off Hospitality family, making him the perfect emcee for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. Get your tickets via the link in our bio! (Photo courtesy Donnie Madia) by @donniemadia

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a month ago

Join @donniemadia and The Publican team on October 19th at 6pm for an intimate evening with legendary restaurateur @dhmeyer, founder of @ushgnyc and @shakeshack, celebrating his new book, What Could Possibly Go Right?

The evening begins with cocktails, followed by dinner and a conversation between Danny Meyer and Sam Kass. Hear stories and insights from Danny’s decades in the restaurant industry, exploring practical optimism, leadership, resilience, and building teams that thrive through change.

Your ticket includes dinner and a copy of Danny’s book! Link in bio. 📖🍽️ by @donniemadia

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a month ago

Thank you, Jim Byers, for stopping by The Publican and for the incredibly kind words! Hearing that it was one of the best meals you’ve ever had EVER means the world to our team.

Jim is one of Canada’s most respected travel journalists, a Toronto-based freelance travel writer and former Toronto Star Travel Editor. Toronto also happens to be where my beautiful wife, Estelle, hails from—a city with an incredible food and hospitality scene of its own. It's no wonder these two cities have been touted as sister cities.

We’re always honored to welcome fellow food and travel lovers through our doors, and even more grateful when they take the time to share their experience. Thanks again for joining us, Jim. We hope to see you back in Chicago soon! by @donniemadia

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2 months ago

Wow. What an absolute honor it was to host the industry night screening of Tony here in Chicago.

A special thank you to the incredible team at @a24 for the opportunity and for creating such a beautiful film, and to @opentable for bringing so many people from the Chicago hospitality community together for such a special night.

I had the chance to share a beautiful story about Anthony Bourdain that I still hold very close to my heart. For so many of us in this industry, Tony was more than a chef or a writer. He was a voice, a storyteller, a troublemaker, and someone who made the world of restaurants feel bigger, more human, and infinitely more interesting.

What I love about this film is that it brings you back to the person behind the legend. It beautifully captures Tony’s personality, his curiosity, his humor, his complicated relationship with the kitchen, and ultimately, his deep love for restaurants and the people who make them what they are.
Restaurants have always been about more than what’s on the plate. They’re about the people standing beside you, the stories shared across a table, the cooks working late into the night, the friendships made over a meal, and all of the beautiful chaos that comes with this industry. Tony understood that better than most.

He remains a forever icon and a true legend, and it was incredibly meaningful to celebrate his life, his work, and his lasting impact alongside so many people who continue to carry that spirit forward every day.

Everyone who works in the front or back of house needs to see this film. Everyone should see this film. And then go sit at a bar, order a long neck, perhaps have a smoke, and talk to the person next to you. I think Tony would have liked that.

Swipe to page 2 & 3 for the full story! by @donniemadia

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2 months ago

🚨The Chicago Dog Crunch Star is at Big Star Wrigleyville right now on Cubs home game days!🚨

A Chicago Hot Dog wrapped inside a tortilla with
queso Chihuahua, hot dog, tostadas, pico de gallo, sport peppers, relish, burger sauce, and shredded lettuce, and served with mustard.

The first 25 Crunch Stars ordered on July 17th will get a free bag of Local Style Chips! taken in Chicago, Illinois by @donniemadia

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3 months ago

the wait is almost over 🥂 west loop, we’ve been busy behind the scenes giving avec a little refresh — thank you for your patience while we made some magic happen. we cannot wait to welcome you back through our doors tomorrow! make a reservation or walk in! see you there ✨ taken in Chicago, Illinois by @donniemadia

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4 months ago

Yes, Chef! What an incredible day February 27th was at The Publican.

As we celebrate the premiere of the final season of @thebearfx, Rob, the entire Publican team, and I are reflecting on how honored we were to be a small part of it alongside so many incredible restaurant workers, actors, and industry professionals. What made that day so special wasn’t just the cameras or the production—it was seeing so many people who dedicate their lives to hospitality come together to showcase the craft, passion, and teamwork that make restaurants what they are.

A huge thank you to Chris Storer and the entire The Bear team for creating such a beautiful love letter to our industry and, most importantly, to Chicago. The show captures the neighborhoods, the people, and the spirit that make this city so special. It shines a light on the cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, managers, and countless others who work tirelessly every day to make Chicago one of the greatest hospitality cities in America.

I’m deeply grateful to the brothers, Andrew and Cooper, Chris Zucchero, Coco, Duccio, Tyson, the producers, writers, production assistants, camera operators, cinematographers, crew members, the craft services team, and the more than 150 people working behind the scenes whose talent and dedication brought this story to life.

Humbled. Grateful. Immensely thankful to have witnessed the magic and care that went into making The Bear.

With gratitude, the entire team at The Publican ❤️ taken in Chicago, Illinois by @donniemadia

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4 months ago

Save the date!

We are so honored to be teaming up with the @beardfoundation over James Beard awards weekend to host a very special JBF Greens Chicago x The Publican collaboration on Sunday, June 14 at 11:30am. Chef Rob will be serving up a celebratory brunch to kick off the James Beard Awards® weekend!

A ticket gets you a seat at this three-course feast, inclusive of wine offerings and gratuity. Tickets available through the link in bio! by @donniemadia

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5 months ago