New Orleans has Emeril. Georgia has Alton Brown. California has Guy Fieri. There’s something about the hometown local chef made good. They feel like they could be your brother or your father, but they’re also making America happy by serving up good eats and humor. A few years ago, Chicago got their own guy, Jeff Mauro, when he won season 7 of The Next Food Network Star. Mauro went on to host The Sandwich King where he brought mom and pop spots like Mickey’s in Oak Park to the national stage. Mauro starred in a few other vehicles, but he’s found great success as part of a team on The Kitchen which is now in its 24th season on Food Network.