Chef Eric Gillish of the Union

Chef Eric Gillish has been at the helm of the Union's kitchen since it's opening in August of 2002, pioneering and perfecting his signature menu of "Classic American Meals-With a Twist!" Some favorites include his famous Portabella Fries and the Thai Flank Steak. Chef Eric and his Wife Cecilia are parents of three, Zachry, Deric, Caitlin, and expecting their 4th in February 2009. He currently manages the kitchen upstairs in Cityscape as well, catering up to 300 people at a time.

Annually, Chef Eric organizes a gingerbread house building extravaganza at the Union in December. Chef Eric and his staff prepare and build 250-300 gingerbread houses (which they bake in house) in a one week span for familes all around the Kalamazoo area to decorate with candy. He also prepares a highly detailed gingerbread house for the festival of trees each year (some of the houses include gingerbread replicas of the Portland Head Lighthouse and Henderson Castle).

Chef Eric works as passionately in the kitchen as he does in the community. Chef Eric currently serves on the volunteer Board of Directors of the March of Dimes, which he has been active in since 2005. Since 2001, he has participated annually in the March of Dimes "Signature Chef's Auction," a local auction which features over 10 chefs, whose proceeds benefit our local chapter of the March of Dimes. He has won various honors in this event including "Best Tasting Food" in 2005, and "Best Entree" in 2008. Since 2004 he has been the chairperson and lead chef for the event. He has also won the Ministry with Community Chef competition, and the annual Gumbo Cook Off (his February 2008 gumbo win came from a special cuisine fusion of American and Australian styles).
 

He has done volunteer work around the community, including ice carving demonstrations and sugar sculpting (pictured left) for various downtown events, as well as participating as a guest chef for the local hospitals.

Chef Eric made Tom Knific, Director of Jazz Studies at WMU, a special Bass Guitar cake for this Surprise 50th birthday party at The Union!