Your Cart is Empty
Greg Laketek quit his day job and booked a one-way ticket to Parma, Italy, the home of Prosciutto, seeking to train under the best salumiere in the world. By chance, he was able to directly learn the ins and outs of the protected secrets of Italian Salumi. Utilizing superior quality spices, meats and curing methods rooted in the old world, Salumi Chicago uniquely brings another level of Italian quality meats to the US.
Greg Laketek spent summers with family in Italy. His earliest memories are of his grandfather taking him to friends’ farms to eat cheese, salumi, bread, and wine. When Laketek took a brief off-ramp into the world of corporate consulting as an adult, it was just a technicality, a sideways route to a deeper culinary calling.
Back in the States, Laketek graduated from University of Kansas, using his business degree to start a consulting company. Warm Italian summer days still glowing in his heart, a restlessness kicked in, and Laketek found his daily office life less and less fulfilling. Laketek enrolled in culinary school, still unsure what his next step would be. It was only when he and a friend began discussing the lack of quality charcuterie in Chicago that the light bulb finally went off.
Once it went off, Laketek was all in—even seeking out the renowned Massimo Spigaroli for a never-been-done internship at his salumeria. Working alongside Spigaroli at Antica Corte Pallavicina (which also houses two Michelin-rated restaurants), Laketek learned the art of salumi. Four years later, in April of 2013, Laketek was back in Chicago, ready to open the doors of West Loop Salumi—the first USDA-certified salumeria in the city, serving clients, including Grant Achatz, Jose Garces, Tom Colicchio, and Eataly.
After gaining much notoriety for his work, including placements on the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Zagat 30 Under 30 among others, his business suffered a disastrous water leak that destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of meats and inventory. While unfortunate at the time, it opened the door for a new business partner.
Chef Greg was introduced to entrepreneur, and owner of Chicago-based Moesle Meat Company, Joel Janecek. Logistically, a partnership provided them both with an exciting opportunity. Joel with an opportunity to grow his current offerings, and Greg with the chance to get back to doing what he loves with improved sourcing. Together, they formed Salumi Chicago
While producing under a new brand label, Master Salumiere Greg is still producing the same high quality meats that have been winning awards for years. Individuals who seek out the finest quality salumi, including Grant Achatz (Alinea Group, Next Restaurant), Giada De Laurentiis(giadadelaurentiis.com), and John Coletta (Gibson’s Restaurant group), have been quick to note that Greg is back at it.
Now that Salumi Chicago has grown, Salumi Chicago has separated from Moesle meats and has continued to rapidly grow.
Our salami is special. We start with heritage pork, trapani sicilian sea salt, telicherry black pepper and cleto chiarli lambrusco (with the exception of barolo red wine in our barolo salami).
Unlike most traditional products, ours are made without additional sugars or nitrates. The results are truly amazing products which our customers love and rave about.
Chef Greg doesn't just specialize in Salami, he's also drawn acclaim and awards for his other salumi products. You won't want to miss these.
Selecting fine meats isn't always easy.
We've created a FAQ page to help with many of the common questions, but if you don't see what you're looking for, please reach out to us. We want to make sure you're satisfied with your purchase.
We typically respond within 1-hour on the weekdays within working hours and within 24-hours on the weekend.
Have a suggestion? We're always open to feedback.
