Marcus Bennett
Marcus Bennett
Founder & Executive Chef, Fire & Grain Hospitality Group
“Food is the most universal language — and I want mine to speak of connection, not just consumption.”
Marcus Bennett is the Founder & Executive Chef of Fire & Grain Hospitality Group, a collection of five farm-to-table restaurants across the Midwest. Since opening his first location in 2010, Marcus has grown Fire & Grain into a $45 million brand known for sustainability, authentic flavors, and community partnerships.
His journey began in culinary school in Chicago, but his true education came from the farmers’ markets he visited every weekend. He became obsessed with sourcing ingredients locally and understanding the stories behind them.
After years as a sous chef in Michelin-starred kitchens, Marcus left fine dining to build something more personal. His mission: create restaurants where food wasn’t about pretension but about people.
Recognition & Media
- James Beard Award Semi-Finalist, Best Chef: Midwest (2018)
- Featured in Food & Wine’s “Chefs to Watch” list (2019)
- Guest judge on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters (2022)
Personal Bio
After years as a sous chef in Michelin-starred kitchens, Marcus left fine dining to build something more personal. His mission: create restaurants where food wasn’t about pretension but about people.
Why I Do What I Do
“My why is rooted in family dinners. I grew up in a house where food was scarce but sacred. My mom could stretch a single pot of beans into a feast because she added love and laughter to it. That memory fuels me — I want to create spaces where every meal feels like it matters.”
How I Overcame My Greatest Challenge
In 2015, a devastating fire destroyed Marcus’s flagship restaurant. Insurance covered little, and he nearly declared bankruptcy. “I was standing in ashes, literally, wondering if my dream was over.”
Instead, Marcus called his community together. Former employees, local farmers, and loyal customers organized fundraisers to help him rebuild. Within nine months, Fire & Grain reopened — stronger, with a renewed focus on community ownership.
“The fire almost ended me, but it also lit the flame that defines everything I do today.”
Quick Facts
- HQ: Chicago, IL
- Founded: 2010
- Employees: 300+
- Favorite motto: “Break bread, build bridges.
Message to Future Entrepreneurs
“Don’t chase applause — chase authenticity. People know when you’re building for headlines versus when you’re building for heart. The applause fades, but authenticity lasts.”
Legacy Statement
Marcus’s dream is to see every city neighborhood anchored by a restaurant that feeds both body and soul. He wants Fire & Grain to be remembered as more than a brand — as a proof that hospitality and humanity belong at the same table.