Christine Cikowski's Perfect Bite | The Story Behind Honey Butter Fried Chicken

In this episode of The Perfect Bite, host Sarah Perkins sits down with Christine Cikowski, co-founder and co-owner of Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Sunday Dinner Club, two Chicago dining institutions rooted in comfort, community, and care.Christine shares her unexpected journey from music business graduate to culinary entrepreneur, and how she built one of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhood restaurants. She opens up about the early days of Sunday Dinner Club, the magical accident that led to Honey Butter Fried Chicken’s signature dish, and how she and her partner Josh Kulp turned a humble idea into a phenomenon.From navigating expansion and closing a suburban location, to cultivating a workplace where mistakes are part of growth, Christine’s story is a masterclass in leadership, humility, and hospitality.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Honey Butter Fried Chicken was born from an accidental recipe twistWhat it takes to build a restaurant brand with purpose and personalityHow to lead with empathy — and learn to be “really good at being wrong”The lessons of failure, resilience, and community through COVID and beyondHow mentorship, creativity, and Zingerman’s philosophy shaped her approach to businessMake sure to visit Honey Butter Fried Chicken and TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. You can sign up for the Sunday Dinner Club tasting series at www.sundaydinnerclub.com. You can follow Honey Butter Fried chicken on Instagram at @honeybutterchi; Sunday Dinner Club @sundaydinnerchi; TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop @tribeccassandwichshop; and Christine @christinecikowski.Want to watch the entire episode? Head here to our YouTube! Make sure to subscribe, rate and review The Perfect Bite anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can follow us on social media @perfectbitepod and visit our site www.theperfectbitepod.com.