We caught up with Chicago's own Billy Dec, CEO and founder of Sunda New Asian Restaurants and COACT Agency, for his full download. See what he had to say about his favorite spots in Chicago, his best advice and more.
Favorite breakfast spot? Does Dim Sum count?
Favorite clothing store? Does the thrift store count?
Favorite workout class? I do Corepower Yoga C2, but I love this Kali, Eskrima, Filipino martial arts stick fighting class.
Favorite cocktail? I don’t want to sound like everyone else because of the espresso martini little fad situation, but I’ve been drinking those since back in the day, but with tequila, blanco.
Favorite Chicago neighborhood? Fulton Market where we’re opening Sunda Fulton.
Favorite food memory? Making this Chinese inspired egg roll called Lumpia with my Lola. We would cut up all the vegetables and do all these things early in the morning, and by the time that I got back from school we would be able to cook them as after school snacks.
Skincare routine? I am a new fan of red light saunas for inflammation, but I hear it’s good for your face.
Favorite food city? Chicago!
Recipe for success? Passion, super hard work. I’ve gotta give a shout out to relationship building; you have to have a huge community. It takes a village and relentlessness, tenacity—never giving up.
Best piece of advice? Take care of your body, your mind, your spirit and your name—you only get one.
Current obsession? Current obsession is our documentary Food Roots. Travel back in time to the isles of the Philippines to learn the recipes of my ancestors.
Favorite quote? It’s actually in the documentary, and it’s from my Lolo Monico, my grandfather, that says "You don’t know where you’re going unless you know where you’re from."
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Photography by: PHOTO BY KATRINA WITTKAMP
