Campfire Jamboree at Camp Wandawega
At the end of August, we hosted our first Campfire Jamboree at Camp Wandawega. Born from a collaboration with Stock friend and customer John Manion, chef and owner of La Sirena Clandestina and El Che Bar, the idea was pretty simple: get a bunch of industry friends out of the city and into the woods for a few days to relax, play, and eat like royalty.
Manion assembled an all-star lineup of chefs to tackle the meals, all cooked in true camp style over open-fire. This included Christine Cikowski of Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya, and Andrew Brochu, an Alinea Group alum currently working on a new culinary concept.
We also had amazing sponsors including Fat Tire, who helped coordinate the event and provided all the beer, which ended up being more than anticipated. After we drank the entire supply the first day, Steve from New Belgium had to run out to the local grocery store and buy out their inventory as well.
Each morning and evening, our buddy Harrison from Metric Coffee provided our caffeine fix with fresh-brewed coffee and cold brew, not to mention late-night campfire banjo tunes!
Liquor was provided by Maker’s Mark in the form of cocktails (batched by our friends Jeff and Wade of Leisure Activities), custom flasks filled with whiskey, and bottles strategically hidden around camp for anyone lucky enough to happen upon them.
Guests arrived at camp Monday evening and were greeted with a welcome cocktail from Sportsman’s Club and a swag bag before being shown to their bunks. Each custom-made bag was equipped with an array of Stock-made goods:
-leather beer koozie
-special bamboo utensil kit (sustainable!)
-corduroy camp hat
-a bag of Stock x Metric Coffee Fulton Friend Blend
-Camp Wandawega welcome kit (complete with soap, matches, postcards, and authentic car sticker)
Once settled in, guests were corralled into the meal tent for John Manion’s Wisco-themed dinner consisting of a Wisconsin cheese plate, napa cabbage slaw, chimichurri potato salad, charcuterie, smoked wings, and beer brats.
Tuesday morning, campers made their way back to the tent where Christine Cikowski and the Honey Butter Fried Chicken crew were preparing fried chicken breakfast burritos with sweet corn salsa, pimento cheese, and potatoes stuffed inside, grilled peach and goat cheese salad, blueberry corn muffins, and chocolate banana baked donuts for a sugar fix.
The group reconvened a couple hours later at the Camp Chapel where Rushing Waters Fisheries, local farmers of high-quality rainbow trout, demonstrated how to properly clean a fish.
The trout filets made their way over to the prep station where Diana Dávila turned them into “trucha frita tacos” with hand-pressed fresh tortillas, homemade salsa, embarrada de frijol (beans), and vegetales.
Campers burned off lunch with a variety of camp activities, including fishing, swimming, tennis, bocce, horseshoes, archery, and croquet.
With the crew dispersed across the campground, Andrew Brochu and team started prepping an absolutely epic dinner inspired by the meals eaten in the classic John Hughes camp film The Great Outdoors.
This included: smoked fish dip, caramelized apple and onion dip, grilled lobster tails served over rolls with smoked chili butter, “Old 96er” grilled ribeye with parsley salsa verde, BBQ butter popcorn, beef and barley soup, umami-spiced roasted potatoes, and a bucket ‘o salad.
With stomachs stuffed, campers strolled over to the fire pit for a massive bonfire and acoustic tunes.
Wednesday morning, campers headed back to reality with a pastry and coffee sendoff.
Photos provided by:
@FatTire
@NewBelgium_Chicago
@hiraethdiaries
@johntereick
@jakenokovic
At Work With David Posey
Since opening in December of 2016, Elske has been a critical and commercial darling of the Chicago culinary scene. Elske earned Michelin stars in 2017 and 2018, as well as back to back James Beard nominations for head chef and co-owner David Posey (and a nod in 2018 for his wife/co-owner/pastry chef Anna). With a focus on modern cuisine with a Danish influence, Elske is one of the biggest success stories in Chicago dining the last few years. This is our conversation with David.
CB2 x Stock Collaboration
This past fall, we were fortunate enough to collaborate with CB2 on a small collection, which was featured in their November catalogue, online, and in stores nationwide. The collection included a waxed cotton apron with Horween leather pockets, as well as genuine leather zebra debossed coasters.
At Work with Aaron Lirette of Free Rein
For our most recent edition of At Work, we sat down with Aaron Lirette of the new Free Rein restaurant in the St. Jane Hotel on Michigan Ave. Aaron made his name at the dearly departed Green River, earning numerous accolades including a Michelin Star.
Industry Outfitters Video
Since 2013, we've leveraged our world class design and manufacturing capabilities to become the outfitter of choice for some of the finest hospitality establishments in the country. We filmed this video at some our favorite partner spots - take a look, and give us a shout if you're looking to outfit your staff or team.
At Work With John Manion
Our latest installment of At Work features a luminary of the Chicago restaurant scene, John Manion. A trailblazing chef bringing Brazilian and Argentinian flavors to Chicago, while also serving as a pioneer in the now-scorching hot Fulton Market district. John's story is interesting, his experiences well rounded, and his answers insightful and entertaining. It was truly a pleasure speaking with him, and we hope you enjoy.
Vintage Collector: Watches and Porsches With Clayton Beck
At Stock, we like to see ourselves as bridge from the past to present, and often reference vintage garments to get a better understanding of construction and, most importantly, quality. We're also avid collectors of classic design, whether it's watches, cars, records or furniture.
Many of our like-minded friends and customers find themselves scouring for the best vintage out there, so we’re starting a new series to highlight some individuals who have successfully completed the deep dives and come to surface with a grail. Or two. For our first installment we went sailing, cruised around, and sat down with our pal Clayton Beck to talk Porsche, Rolex, and birth-year collecting.
At Work With Shelby Allison
At Stock we use time-tested methods of production and appreciate the fine details that make a garment built to last. For our At Work series, we focus on like-minded businesses and individuals who don’t do things the expedient way, but the right way. For our newest installment, we’re featuring the sublime Lost Lake. Drawing from 80 years of cocktail history, the Logan Square oasis delivers an authentic tiki experience in a setting fit for a Hemingway novel. For those of us who clamor for tropical vibes but are too impatient--or broke--to fly out to Maui, fear not. This place serves up libations good enough to make you believe you are the old man in the sea.
At Work With Metric Coffee
At Stock we use time-tested methods of production and appreciate the fine details that make a garment built to last. For our At Work series, we focus on like-minded companies and individuals who don’t do things the expedient way, but the right way.
This time, we’re featuring a business down the street from our store, Metric Coffee. Started in 2013, the company quickly gained acclaim for their delicious coffee--Chicago Magazine’s “Best Espresso” in 2017--and shop, which ZAGAT, Eater and Roast Magazine have featured.
We sat down with owners Darko and Xavier to hear more about where they’ve been and where they’re headed.
Stock ✕ Kiriko Made
Heading into this spring, we wanted to take two of our most popular styles, the denim work shirt and the banded collar popover, and create a truly unique collection. Our very first choice was to partner with our friends Kiriko in Portland to help us find rare Japanese textiles to implement into our garments. Kiriko is a lifestlye brand that specializes in the sourcing and re-interpretation of rare and vintage Japanese fabrics.
At Work With Hopewell Brewing
Recently, we stopped by one of our favorite spots in town, Hopewell Brewing Company, to shoot some photos and chat with the founders. Jonathan Fritz, co-founder, distribution dynamo, and sometime star of Netflix's "Easy" was kind enough to hang out and give us a peek behind the curtain.