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President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026
President Obama visited Chicago for the past couple of days to discuss planning and details for the Obama Presidential Center, ranging from the dining experience to testing various museum exhibits to touring the museum site.
As part of his trip, he stopped by Peach’s Restaurant in Bronzeville to meet with restaurant owner Chef Cliff Rome, greet restaurant patrons and ordered shrimp and grits, salmon croquette and peach cobbler to go, on Chef Rome’s recommendation.
Chef Rome is the founder of Rome’s Joy Companies, which includes Peach’s Restaurant, Rome’s Joy Companies Catering, and the historic Parkway Ballroom.
He is partnering with Bon Appétit Management Company to run the Obama Presidential Center’s restaurant and café, as well as catering on the campus.
Bon Appétit and Rome’s Joy Companies – working together as “BAMJoy” – will offer a mix of deep community roots with the experience of large-scale cultural institutions to meet the Center’s vision and practical needs.
WGN pool footage from today is available for use here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vufo0apm4f39l5m6osfwj/AFPvJ_AoSe5RXVz2G2SEb-E?rlkey=iwzzvy4ffg3bvw90151smh8e8&st=lla9habr&dl=0
- Access more information on the Obama Presidential Center HERE.
- For more information on the partnership between the Obama Presidential Center and Chef Rome visit HERE.
- A video introducing the world to Rome’s Joy Catering and an interview with Chef Rome HERE.
About Chef Cliff Rome: Chef Cliff Rome grew up in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood and built his career in the city. With over 30 years in food service, he has earned worldwide recognition and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of young chefs at home in Chicago and around the world.
About the Obama Presidential Center: The Obama Presidential Center campus spans 19 acres in Chicago’s Jackson Park and will feature an athletic center with programs and event space, a fruit and vegetable garden, a world-class museum, an auditorium, a Chicago Public Library branch, and programming for both visitors and the local community to enjoy.
The vast majority of the Center’s campus is free and open to the public, including the restaurant and café where visitors will enjoy culinary offerings from BAMJoy. The Center is scheduled to open in 2026.
Howard Kurtz is a biased reporter
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