Reserved by nature but a force in the kitchen, 69-year-old Rogers Park resident Mark Warnaar recently found himself in a fierce, neck-and-neck culinary competition with chefs from across the country.

Warnaar was a standout finalist in the James Beard Foundation’s national Favorite Chef competition—a celebration of top chefs, passionate home cooks, and food artists pushing boundaries with creativity and heart. While he didn’t take home the $25,000 prize or the Taste of Home magazine cover feature, his journey captured the hearts of hundreds across the country who voted for him over several weeks.

Originally from Beverly, Mark trained under world-class chefs and honed his craft in some of Chicago’s iconic kitchens—including Tango, Maxine’s, Restaurant, and Bastille. He even served as a recipe tester for a nationally distributed cookbook. But for over 20 years, Mark has dedicated his culinary talent to something far more personal: community.

Once a month—and for major Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Passover—Mark creates multi-course, globally inspired kosher-style dinners for Edgewater’s Emanuel Congregation, a reform synagogue. His themed menus have included everything from Mediterranean feasts and “April in Paris” nights to Korean spreads and Irish pub-style dishes. Each meal is made with love, precision, and purpose.

Whether he’s frying 700 latkes for Hanukkah or serving up Patagonian stew for Share Shabbat, Mark’s mission has always been simple: “I just want to cook and watch people have fun.”

For two decades, Mark has volunteered his time, energy, and skills—asking for nothing in return. While he may not seek the spotlight, his culinary contributions are worthy of celebration. He’s a true unsung hero of Chicago, using food to bring people together and build lasting bonds within his community.

As Mark approaches his 70th birthday this September, his legacy of service, flavor, and heart deserves to be shared with all of Chicago.