Open the ever-changing dessert menu at Mindy’s HotChocolate in Chicago and you’ll currently find a Carrot Icebox Cake with cream cheese-chamomile ice cream, warm pineapple, macadamia nut cream, and dulce de leche. Cue a collective gasp. The brainchild behind this creation and a laundry list of other delicious delectables is Mindy Segal, a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef, restaurant owner, and cookbook author of Cookie Love.
This spring, Chef Mindy made the leap from delectables into edibles with her trial line of marijuana-laced desserts called Mindy’s First Batch. Her THC treats were available in Illinois medical marijuana dispensaries in April with national markets to follow later this spring.
We put the renowned Chicago pastry chef, through our 18-question ringer to see where her Midwest roots (and tastes) lie.
Favorite place in the Midwest?
What temperature is considered warm enough for no coat?
70 degrees
Favorite meal to cook?
Breakfast
What’s a hidden gem in your city?
My backyard
Local coffee shop of choice?
Go-to pizza toppings?
Pickled Banana Peppers & Bacon
Soda or Pop?
Soda
Duck Duck Goose or Duck Duck Grey Duck?
Duck Duck Goose
Favorite condiment?
Giardinara
Favorite local brewery?
Can you name all the ingredients in puppy chow?
Nope
How many shovels do you own?
2
Favorite food on a stick?
Corn Dog
Skiing or wakeboarding?
Wakeboarding
Signature drink order?
Whiskey Sour
Mississippi River or Great Lakes?
Great Lakes
Favorite Midwestern artist?
Favorite building in the Midwest?
Images compliments of Chocolate