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Williams will lead menu development for and oversee the kitchen of the new, full-service restaurant. A former Pastoral cheesemonger, she joins Appellation from Birchwood Kitchen in Wicker Park, where she served as Head Chef for nearly four years. Her previous culinary experience includes Lula Café, where she trained under Jason Hammel; Floriole Bakery; and Uncommon Ground. She also attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

Pastoral's newest culinary adventure, Appellation, is inspired by the many locations from which its ingredients and products are sourced. A common term used to identify where wine, cheese and other kinds of food are produced, the word "appellation" also reflects a "sense of place." Pastoral finds the finest cheeses, wines, olive oils and other products from around the world and around the block. Like Pastoral's retail stores and first restaurant location, Bar Pastoral, which opened in 2012, Appellation draws together those places where food and wine come together naturally, and brings to Chicagoans that sense of place for the palate.

The new hybrid retail and 75-seat wine bar and restaurant created by Chicago's hometown cheese shop since 2004, is Pastoral's largest project to-date. The 3,800 square foot space will feature a full-service kitchen and offer an exciting extension of the European-inspired neighborhood concept. The larger space will be arranged into sections to allow for an intimate environment with attentive and thoughtful service, and afford Appellation the ability to broaden Pastoral's offerings. Diners can expect a consistent culinary vision and inspiration across both of the company's concepts, bringing together wine, craft beer, and craft cocktails designed to pair perfectly with the cheese, charcuterie and dinner cuisine. Mark Wrobel, who heads up Pastoral's beverage program, will work closely with Chef Williams to create a well-paired synergy. The venue will also continue to do what Pastoral does best - educate and make shopping for and enjoying artisan food and wine enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious.

"Jesse's style of cooking perfectly aligns with Pastoral's culinary vision," said Greg O'Neill, Pastoral co-owner/co-founder, along with Ken Miller. "She believes in celebrating the origins of the food we serve and the families and farmers who produce them. Her approach is our approach; highest quality seasonal ingredients prepared simply yet wonderfully to highlight their flavors. As with Bar Pastoral, Appellation will serve as an extension of the Pastoral retail store, presenting dinner cuisine that highlights artisan cheese, charcuterie, bread, and pairs them with wine, craft beer and cocktails."

"I'm excited to return to work with the passionate team at Pastoral in this new role as Chef of Appellation," said Williams. "My approach to the menu is simple and straight-forward, focusing on rustic, seasonally driven and delicious dishes where I let the ingredients — and, of course, the cheese — do the talking."

Additional details about Appellation and the new Pastoral Andersonville location will be announced in the coming months. Pastoral's current retail locations allow patrons to purchase high quality, handcrafted products, including cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, freshly baked breads, small production wines, gourmet sandwiches, custom gift baskets and artisan catering. They include: 2945 North Broadway; 53 East Lake Street; and Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street. In 2012, the Company also opened Bar Pastoral, an award winning, Michelin Guide recommended cheese & wine bistro located at 2947 North Broadway.

For more information about Pastoral, visit pastoralartisan.com .