Ever since I can remember, I have loved being in the kitchen. I pulled all of the pots and pans out of the cupboard and pretended to cook like my Mom and Grandma. I even had a stool to stand on at my Grandma’s house so I could see her cook. Over the years, much to the dismay of old polish Grandfather, I cooked alongside my Mom and Grandma. We made Mushroom Spaghetti, Cabbage Rolls, Pork Roast and Sweet Cabbage, Pierogi, Beef Vermouth, Fried Chicken, Ham, Chicken Paprikash and on and on and on.
When I was 10, my parents opened a Coney Island restaurant in the mall my father managed in Toledo. I loved cooking and serving customers and sneaking footlongs. When I turned 15, my dad got me a job at the Naperville McDonalds in Market Meadows. I cooked alongside Gus Kapellas the famous franchise owner.
I met my wife, Patty Mines, in 1985…she was dating a guy down the block. I stole her away and we fell in love instantly. On our first romantic encounter, I made lobster bisque and she loved it. Over the years, she began calling by a nickname “Bubba.” It stuck with me….hence Chef Bubba.