Catherine DeOrio

Catherine De Orio grew up in a large Italian family in a suburb of Chicago where she learned to cook at the foot of a true master: her Nana Kay. It was then that she developed a deep appreciation of the power and pleasure of great meals. She is a “recovering attorney” who left her burgeoning career in the courtroom to follow her true passion in the kitchen. Catherine attended the prestigious culinary school of Kendall College in Chicago, spent years in both France and Italy and staged in the award winning restaurant kitchens of Spiaggia and Japonais. She has also worked as a media spokesperson handling national culinary campaigns for international brands such as Sara Lee/Hillshire Brands, Godiva, Disney, Revolution Tea, and others. In that capacity Catherine has made numerous appearances on national television shows including Today, Good Day from the Bay, and many others. Currently, she is a food/travel writer and dining trends consultant in Chicago and her regular columns can be found on Eater.com – Chicago Edition, Vegas Magazine and Z-Life Fitness Magazine, amongst others.

Visit the Check, Please! website for more information about Catherine, video from all seasons, a map and detailed information about all of the restaurants featured on the show, chef recipes, and the new Talk & Eatblog, the Check, Please! Planner event calendar, and the Foodie in Residence blog.