Our next Chef Spotlight introduces Comfort Station, which exists as a community driven creative platform. Comfort Film Programmers, Raul Benitez took a moment to answer a few questions leading up to this year’s Hashbrown Chili Cook-off. Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to help determine their fate!
Organization: Comfort Station
Guest Chef: Raul Benitez, Comfort Film Programmers
Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): What is Comfort Station?
Raul: Comfort Station is a multidisciplinary art space whose mission is to present challenging and stimulating programming that is open and accessible to everyone. We are a community-centric organization offering a wide variety of programs: art exhibitions, concerts, film, workshops, lectures, participatory events, and more. As a historic building in the heart of Logan Square, we aim to create an active intersection of diverse Chicago communities and promote new connections between them. Comfort Station is all ages, wheel chair accessible, and gender inclusive.
SPC: What is your role at Comfort Station?
Raul: Outside of getting to choose the movies screened at Comfort Station the best part is getting to meet all the amazing film makers and artist that come through.
SPC: How did you get involved with this organization?
Raul: I joined Comfort Station in 2013 when there was a shout out for a new programmer for film. Since I have been part of the Chicago Film Community for years I decided it would be great to help Comfort Station with their film programming and a great way to meet new people in the neighborhood.
SPC: If people take away just one thing about Comfort Station, what should it be?
Raul: I think people need to know how diverse and eccentric the programming is at Comfort Station. Not only do we have the art and the music and film but we also have talks, workshops and exhibitions. We try to be as broad based as possible to reflect the Logan Square neighborhood.
SPC: What is a tagline that could work for BOTH your organization AND your chili?
Raul: Diverse, exciting and smoky hot!
SPC: If your organization had a spirit animal, what would it be?
Raul: Definitely an Owl. I feel we are becoming the wise old art space in Logan Square were people come to us for advice and help etc.
SPC: Finally, can we leak any details about what our guests can expect to find in your crockpot on March 19?
Raul: My chili will have an interesting smoky twist!
Raul’s Favorites:
Favorite Restaurant: Smoque BBQ
Best Cookbook: A Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent Price.
Best soup you’ve ever had: Berria Consume at Lindo Michoacan
Favorite Type of Bean: Lentil