Jason Hammel is the self-taught executive chef/owner of Lula Cafe, which opened in Chicago's Logan Square in 1999. He has also opened Marisol at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. He has received numerous awards and presented widely, including at MAD, the pioneering biannual food festival and organization. He graduated from Brown University and received a master's degree in writing. He is a mentor for cooks in the Midwest and founded the nonprofit food education program Pilot Light.