Brenton Balika: The big cheese

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Turns out pastry chef Brenton Balika at Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons Hotel also has become something of a master cheesemaker. When you order dessert or a cheese course, know that Balika, somewhere deep in the interior recesses of the hotel has crafted an artisanal cheese that may well startle you with its genuine flavor and character.

A native of Chicago, Balika was destined to become an artisan. “I grew up in a family of artisans, who were into sewing, making pottery, and cooking six nights a week,” he said. “We also had gardens all the time. I had a love for food growing up.” And, it turns out, he developed an early passion for eating cheese.

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