Dominique Leach

The Lexington Betty x Mahari x Love Cork Screw Southside + Friends menu has officially dropped, and we cannot contain our excitement (or the drool)🤤 Take a peek at what we’re serving up THIS FRIDAY, and grab your tickets to experience a line-up of truly unique dishes blending the cultural flavors and culinary styles of Chef Dominique and Chef Rah. Each course will also feature a special wine pairing from Love Cork Screw’s elevated “Lampley Series” varietal collection from Lodi, CA 🍷 Talk about a night to remember. Last chance to purchase your ticket, link in bio!

If pairing up two incredible South Side restaurants wasn’t enough for the next Southside + Friends dinner, which features @chef.rah of Hyde Park’s multi-award-winning @mahari_restaurant , Dominique is also welcoming @lovecorkscrew as the exclusive wine pairing partner. Founded by @chrishonyvette , the unapologetically Black-owned, woman-owned wine brand is redefining what wine looks like for this generation, gaining recognition from national publications including Forbes, People Magazine, Wine Enthusiast and more. For the dinner, Chrishon will be pouring exclusively from The Lampley series, their elevated varietal collection from Lodi, CA. Created in honor of her late father, these elegant bottles support organizations focused on encephalopathy and thyroid disease. The Lampley 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon recently earned West Coast King status and is now exclusively available in Vino Volo airport wine bars across the country, you’ll be able to enjoy this exclusive wine on your next journey through the airport. Together, the three pros will bring their signature styles to a special, one-night-only menu designed for a communal dining experience that has already caught the attention of the @chicagotribune .

In just over ONE WEEK, Dominique will be joined by @chef.rah of @mahari_restaurant for the Southside + Friends Guest Chef Dinner Series, bringing recipes from throughout the African diaspora to the table. Recognized by @chicagomag as one of the Best New Restaurants in 2026, Mahari has quickly become a true destination in Hyde Park, with a busy & buzzy first year. Take this as your chance to experience the coming together of two distinct South Side culinary voices with a front-row seat at an intimate one-night-only collaboration dinner. Hyde Park hasn’t been the same since Mahari opened, shaped by Chef Rah’s roots, his time cooking at the University of Chicago, and a deep connection to the diversity of the surrounding community. Chef Rah brings a personal approach to cooking, treating each dish as a “gift”, a philosophy reflected in the name ”Mahari”, which means exactly that in Swahili. Seats are limited, and this series doesn’t come around often, secure your spot before it’s gone! 📅 Friday, May 15th at 6 PM 📍 @House.of.GAZ | Bridgeport 🎟️ Tickets available via Eventbrite, link in bio.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a whole lot of BBQ! Chicago Bears Cornerback Joshua Blackwell and Chef Dominique Leach are back in the kitchen for another episode of Cooking Sessions. This time, they’re taking a street-style favorite and turning it into something more…just in time for taco Tuesday! These aren’t just tacos, they’re SUPER tacos. 🌮Loaded with all the fixings and Chicago Bears approved. ✅ Be sure to tap back in to see what they’re whipping up in the next sesh.

Chef Dominique shares her GTCO Food and Drink Festival adventure and collaborating with the talented Red Dish Chefs.

I cried after recording this video. I'm all wrapped up in my feelings. Overwhelmed from the love I received from this amazing team of Chefs. Thank you all for taking a moment to help me celebrate my Granny. Please help me wish my Grandmother a beautiful 90th Birthday! #blessed #granny #birthdaycelebration

Pitmaster Dominique Leach brought the heat with a masterclass on American Soul Food & BBQ you could taste through the screen. Attendance is FREE — Date: May 1–3, 2026 Time: 10am – 10pm daily Venue: GTCenter Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos #PromotingEnterprise #GTCOfoodanddrink #GTCOfoodanddrinkfestival #GTCOfoodanddrinkfestival2026

Chicago-native Dominique Leach is a classically trained chef turned award-winning pitmaster, redefining American BBQ with a style rooted in her Mississippi heritage. From top Chicago kitchens to founding Lexington Betty Smokehouse, her journey reflects both precision and passion. Winner of BBQ Brawl with Bobby Flay and recognised as one of the leading voices in BBQ today, her work continues to push the culture forward. Join her for a masterclass on “American Soul Food & BBQ” and experience bold, soulful flavours brought to life through fire and craft. Spots are limited. Register now via the link in bio. #GTCOfoodanddrink #GTCOfoodanddrinkfestival2026 #DominiqueLeach #PitMaster

If your friends don't inspire you, you need some new ones. #bighomie #beardown #inspiration 📷 @gazpho

Shout out to the Chefs who show up and give it their all in the middle of storms. The chefs that remain optimistic after a door has been closed on you. The chefs who are legit in love with the ride despite it being a roller-coaster at times. Keep loving food and it will love you back! Not in the literal since, but you get the picture 🤣💪🏾❤️ #chicagochef #foodlovers #passion

DID YOU THINK WE WERE DONE? THINK AGAIN. 👀 The South Side + Friends Guest Chef Series continues as Chef Dominique Leach of Lexington Betty Smokehouse welcomes @chef.rah of @mahari_restaurant (Hyde Park) and special guest @chrishonyvette of @lovecorkscrew for the next dinner. An executive chef known for pushing boundaries, Chef Rah blends Creole, African, Latin, and Caribbean influences into an experience like no other. Rooted in the traditions of Louisiana, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, his cooking is a vibrant expression of culture where heritage flavors meet those head-turning techniques. 🌶️ And they’ve been getting some big Chicago praise – they were named ‘Best Neighborhood Restaurant’ at the @thebanchetawards in 2026. We're not stopping there! We're also bringing in Chrishon Lampley of Black-owned, woman-owned wine brand Love Cork Screw (as seen in Forbes, People Magazine, Wine Enthusiast and more). She'll be working with the chefs to expertly pair each dish with selections from her award-winning portfolio, including pours from The Lampley, her premium wine collection created in honor of her late father, which spans red, white, and rosé varietals.🍷 📅 Friday, May 15th at 6 PM 📍@House.of.GAZ | Bridgeport 🎟️ Available via Eventbrite

If you don’t know, now you know: new talent for our Cooking Sessions here 👀and we’re kicking things off with some queso brisket nachossss. What happens when good food and great people come together in the kitchen? This. Huge thank you to Chicago Bears Cornerback Joshua Blackwell (@joshua_blackwell ) for joining acclaimed BBQ Chef Dominique Leach (@chefdominiqueleach ) at House of GAZ to chef it up Chicago-style. For this recipe, brisket from @lexingtonbettysmokehouse is paired with a rich, creamy cheese sauce featuring just a little kick, all poured over your favorite tortilla chips. The perfect game day combo served up by a duo that is turning collaboration into something delicious 🤌 Stay tuned to see what these two will be cooking up next… we’ll save you a seat.