About Us
Benjamin Smock
Owner & President, Toque & Bottle Advisory
Benjamin Smock is owner and president of Toque & Bottle Advisory, a convention and hospitality consultation company headquartered in Chicago.
Smock brings over 12 years of experience to the industry, having launched his career with the nationally renowned Levy Restaurants. He worked his way through the ranks at a variety of Levy's sports and entertainment properties including Ravinia Music Festival, Conseco Fieldhouse, and Arlington International Race Course, where he managed fine dining restaurants, a courtside sports bar, and a variety of catering events for 20 - 2000 guests.
In 1999, Smock earned the coveted "Levy Legends" Manager of the Year title for his performance at two properties (Ravinia & Conseco Fieldhouse during the same season) and his role in Levy's college recruiting efforts. He returned to Chicago in 2001 to serve as Director of Banquets and then Director of Restaurants at North America's premier convention facility, McCormick Place.
In January 2006, Smock founded Toque & Bottle Advisory, where his client roster includes Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Chicago Auto Show, National Restaurant Association, American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Urological Association (AUA), and HIMSS. Smock has successfully developed methods for his clients to improve the hospitality experience for exhibitors and attendees, as well as leverage their attendees for outside vendor opportunities.
SSmock's professional affiliations include active membership of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau; active membership of the National Restaurant Association; and serving as a Burnham Bash committee member since 2008.
Smock contributes to great charitable causes as a committee member for Share our Strength "Taste of the Nation" and for the Holiday Meals on Wheels Annual Brunch. He also is a longtime supporter of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
Smock is a graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State, where he is an active member of the Alumni Association. He currently resides in Chicago.
Contact:Ben@ToqueandBottle.com
Dino Simon is Toque + Bottle Advisory’s culinary consultant.
He currently serves as executive chef of Wynstone Golf Club, one of the most prestigious private clubs in Illinois. Simon’s past experience includes executive chef for Chicago Signature Service at Navy Pier, with annual food and beverage revenue of $15 million. While there, Simon was charged with the operation for the banquet and convention hall, overseeing a staff of 75 and serving up to 12,000 people at once while holding the lowest food cost in Navy Pier history.
Prior to his tenure at Navy Pier, Simon worked as executive chef for Levy Restaurants’ Arlington Race Track; and as corporate opening chef for the Staples Center Los Angeles, Conseco Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Pepsi Center Denver, American Airlines Arena Miami, NASCAR, Kentucky Derby, Breeders Cup and Arlington Race Track. His responsibilities included designing menus for restaurant outlets, ordering equipment, designing kitchens, and all culinary production. He also designed core recipes for these major sports and entertainment venues, and served food for over 125,000 people at a single event.
Simon experience also extends to Medinah Country Club in Ill., as well as Trattoria Paradiso in Almaty, Russia; The Springs Resort in Spring Green, Wis.; Widow Newton’s Restaurant in Chicago; Restaura, Inc. – Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier Park, Mont.; and Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.
Simon is a graduate of Culinary Institute of America where he graduated with high honors
Contact: dino@toqueandbottle.com
Stephanie Lu Jokich serves as Toque & Bottle Advisory's Sales & Marketing correspondent.
Specializing in creative thinking and promotional development, Stephanie Lu Jokich has combined her love of communications, hospitality and creative writing to establish a career that is both exciting and diverse. She serves as Director of Sales & Marketing for Chicago's premiere local food website, dishesanddirt.com and contributes to Chicago's community as a volunteer for 826CHI and Purple Asparagus.
Stephanie participates in Chicago's Clandestino Community Dining Project and loves to read, write, and cook.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing Communication with an emphasis on Public Relations and a minor in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago.
Contact: Steph@toqueandbottle.com