Paul Kahan

Executive Chef & Partner of One Off Hospitality Group

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Chicago, IL, USA
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Paul Kahan Biography

Paul Kahan is the Executive Chef & Partner of One Off Hospitality Group. Two decades after opening One Off Hospitality Group’s flagship restaurant, Blackbird, Kahan has become the nationally recognizable face of Chicago chefs.

Passionately seasonal, unconventionally creative and dedicated to the inspiration of classical cuisine, Kahan has received international acclaim for Blackbird, avec, The Publican, Big Star, Publican Quality Meats, Nico Osteria, Dove’s Luncheonette, Publican Quality Bread, Publican Tavern O’Hare and most recently, Publican Anker.

Awarded Outstanding Chef in America by the James Beard Foundation in 2013 and Best Chef of the Midwest in 2004, Kahan has earned the praise of many who claim him to be one of America’s most influential culinary minds.

A Chicagoan through and through, Kahan grew up around food. His father owned a delicatessen and a smokehouse, and “when I wanted to make a buck,” says Kahan. “I would help my dad take the fish out of the brine, hang them on the racks and wheel them into the smokehouse.”

After a brief post-college stint as a computer scientist, Kahan took a job in the kitchen of Erwin Drechsler’s Metropolis. It was in Dreschler’s kitchen where Kahan realized his true calling. Over the course of 15 years at Metropolis and Erwin, Kahan developed relationships with Midwestern farmers—leaving a permanent mark on his culinary outlook. He further honed his craft at Topolobampo under the tutelage of the award-winning chef Rick Bayless.

In 1999, shortly after Blackbird opened, Food & Wine placed Kahan on their Best New Chefs list, recognizing his highly individual approach to cooking and the talent that Chicago diners have celebrated for years. Despite accolades and adoration, Kahan’s biggest accomplishment remains his work as a mentor for young chefs. As Kahan puts it, “I have won my awards, what I love is cooking and teaching. If somebody has a great creative vision or a great mind for food, I want to learn from them.” He works to foster empowerment, providing the resources necessary to grow, both as a chef and person. In 2017, Kahan released his debut cookbook, Cheers to The Publican: Repast and Present, inspired by the many individuals, purveyors and farmers with whom he and his culinary team have worked over their careers. In 2018, Cheers to The Publican was recognized nationally with a coveted book award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).

Kahan is an ardent supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for pediatric cancer research, as well as a founding member of Pilot Light, an organization dedicated to enhancing school children’s perception of food through hands-on education.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 12/27/2023.

Paul Kahan Videos

  • Paul Kahan, Executive Chef and Partner, The Publican
  • Munchies: Paul Kahan
  • The Dish: Chef Paul Kahan

Paul Kahan Books

  • Cheers to the Publican, Repast and Present: Recipes and Ramblings from an American Beer Hall
    Cheers to the Publican, Repast and Present: Recipes and Ramblings from an American Beer Hall

Speaker Lists Featuring Paul Kahan

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  • What topics does Paul Kahan speak about?

    Paul Kahan is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Celebrity Chef, Food & Beverage, Lifestyle.
  • Where does Paul Kahan travel from?

    Paul Kahan generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Paul Kahan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Paul Kahan for your event is available upon request. Paul Kahan generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Art Smith, Beverly Kim, Stephanie Izard, Michael Schwartz and Michael Solomonov. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Paul Kahan for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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