The glass façade outside of the Gaggenau showroom, depicting logos for Gaggenau, Thermador, and Bosch.

Design Chicago , the Midwest’s largest residential design conference, held at the iconic Chicago Merchandise Mart featured two days of educational programming, product introductions and networking events. The Gaggenau showroom at The MART was the venue for an intimate “Taste for Design” event headlined by Gaggenau Club 1683 member Pilar Guzman of Patina Modern , a boutique design and construction firm specializing in restoration of historic properties in New York City and Long Island’s East End, with Chef Noah Sandoval, a member of the Gaggenau Black Jacket Society and of two MICHELIN starred restaurant Oriole located in Chicago’s West Loop.

Guzman, a former Editor-in-chief of Conde Nast Traveler and numerous other travel and design related media outlets, collaborated with Chef Noah to create a special tasting menu, exploring the idea that great design and exceptional food follow similar “recipes” for success.

Chef Noah Sandoval speaking to guests seated in the brightly-lit Gaggenau showroom.

Stay True

Guzman and Chef Noah share a similar ideology — “Stick to your core philosophy of the ingredients you work with and the core people you have with you. Any art-focused profession is to stay art-focused and to stay true to yourself,” says Sandoval. Guzman agrees. “Ours is a simple formula. It’s one that lies in mixing modern design with timeworn materials — ones that mellow with age but are true to their origins — all a reflection of who we are and how we think and live.”

Working together, Chef and Guzman found their moment.

Collage featuring Pilar Guzman's book, Patina Modern, and featured guests.
Chef Sandoval carefully arranges huckleberries.

Impeccable Taste

For Chef, it was the making of the three small tasing dishes: Wagyu Tartare with Shiso Tempura, a Delice De Bourgogne Agnolotti with Black Truffles, and a Foie Gras Mousse with Huckleberry and Anise Hyssop — all true to their heritage and completely in line with the season. For Guzman, it was connecting with the pages of her book where her nine-point manifesto reminds that “decorating by mood and borrowing from the best” include connections with authentic ingredients and materials.

Collage featuring close-ups of the day's dishes, as well as champagne being prepared for guests.
Pilar Guzman and Chef Noah Sandoval having an animated discussion.

The menu demonstrated a shared love of ingredients that “pack a punch…are flawless in execution but now showy,” Chef Sandoval noted. Guzman said for her — those same tenets are the driving design force behind her and husband Chris Mitchell’s new book, Patina Modern and their design and remodelling firm of the same name.

For both there is an intentionality to create uniquely inspired experiences that leave friends and guests wishing for more.