U. of Chicago Culinary Arts Classes

Apparently somebody took a walk down Illnois St. and chatted up the neigbors. The Complete Gargoyle, University of Chicago's revenue enhancement - um, I mean adult ed - division, is offering Culinary Arts Classes in cooperation with Fox & Obel. Titles are: Coffee Makes You Think, The Art of Love and Chocolate, This Is Not a Baguette [my favorite title], and Wine Odyssey. All except the wine one are $45, cheap for U. of C.

BTW, does one pronounce the store's name o BELL or OH bell?

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:This Is Not a Baguette [my favorite title]

As in Ce n'est pas un pipe?

Hammond

Giovanna wrote:BTW, does one pronounce the store's name o BELL or OH bell?

Giovanna

the former.

gleam wrote:

Giovanna wrote:BTW, does one pronounce the store's name o BELL or OH bell?

Giovanna

the former.

Just curious, is this their preferred pronunciation (the family 'Obel')? It certainly doesn't look to be obviously French in origin, and perhaps rather something a wee bit more eastern, where final stress is unusual. Or is this another instance of pseudo-French pronunciation being felt to be more sophisticated (e.g. 'dezhorno' pizza)? That would fit the store's 'personality'. (But, of course, they do have damn good bread, especially the things I thought were baguettes. Are they actually French, the Obels?)

For what's it's worth, everyone I have heard refer to this place says 'Obel' with the accent on the first syllable. That surely must be the right pronunciation, just as are Go-EE-thee and De-VON...*

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Well, I guess they've caught my interest... What is not a baguette?

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The UofC has this little made-up, after-the-fact story concerning why they don't have certain fields represented within the university, such as architecture. How will they explain this marketing move away?

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Antonius


* Not a scientific survey... In fact, I've only heard about three people say the name of the place... They did, however, all say it as this writer does, with the first syllable receiving the prominence.

I though that Fox & Obel is a made up name, much like Haggen Das. I saw an interview with the two guys who opened the store back when it was brand new and I coud swear that they both had non sexy sounding Jewish names (Schwartz and Levin or some such), so they made up the name for the store.

stevez wrote:I though that Fox & Obel is a made up name, much like Haggen Das. I saw an interview with the two guys who opened the store back when it was brand new and I coud swear that they both had non sexy sounding Jewish names (Schwartz and Levin or some such), so they made up the name for the store.

Now that you say that, Steve, I vaguely remember the same... In which case, I would guess that Ed is right (o-BEL) and I perhaps too, insofar as the choice of an invented name with final stress may well be inspired by Francophilic pretension. This bipartite name calls to mind the two ethnicities/cultures/accents most often used in marketing in the US to lend 'class' to a product, the English and the French.

All the more reason to say o-bel, n'est-ce pas?

A

I just looked at their website, and they claim that the two guys are named Ari Fox and Ken Obel. Is this revisionist history or was I mistaken about the name being made up? (I think the former)

DB,

I believe Ken Obel used to contribute to CH. To the best of my knowledge, they're real guys.

Hammond

Well, in that case they're lucky fellows with regard to onomastic and marketing matters... Fox, though hardly an aristocratic name in England, conjures up visions of gentlemen and ladies on horseback with a pack of dogs chasing down small red renards before having some tea and clotted cream and cucumber sandwiches... And o-Bel, sounds like Aubel...

It is a swell store, though many items are shamelessly overpriced... I guess their rent is pretty high, though...

A

Antonius wrote:The UofC has this little made-up, after-the-fact story concerning why they don't have certain fields represented within the university, such as architecture. How will they explain this marketing move away?

It has always been my belief that the University has strenuously avoided teaching anything that actually allow someone to earn a living [as witnessed by my degree in sociology and my career in video]. They're an academic institution, not a trade school. But since this is the adult extension, I think that all's fair in love, marketing, and revenue enhancement.

I just find it touching that they're talking to the neighbors.

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:

Antonius wrote:The UofC has this little made-up, after-the-fact story concerning why they don't have certain fields represented within the university, such as architecture. How will they explain this marketing move away?

It has always been my belief that the University has strenuously avoided teaching anything that actually allow someone to earn a living [as witnessed by my degree in sociology and my career in video]. They're an academic institution, not a trade school. But since this is the adult extension, I think that all's fair in love, marketing, and revenue enhancement.

I just find it touching that they're talking to the neighbors.

Giovanna

Exactly, and isn't that the height of hypocrisy when the UofC has not only a law school and a medical school (or do UofC grads in law and medicine work for free?) but the University's real money maker is the business school? What do the b-school grads do after they graduate? Are they all charity workers? Performance artists?

I have nothing against the UofC b-school but how is what they do more academic and noble than architecture?

Anyway, it's a fine university (in parts) but this nonsense about what an academic institution should offer without sullying itself is pretentious rot. Bring on the cooking classes... Maybe I could sit in on Butchery 101...

A

stevez wrote:I just looked at their website, and they claim that the two guys are named Ari Fox and Ken Obel. Is this revisionist history or was I mistaken about the name being made up? (I think the former)

I'm pretty sure it's revisionist history, and I'm pretty sure he pronounces it "oBEL".

Not positive, of course, but that's my memory. I think my mom actually met him once at a fundraiser, which may be why I have this so firmly ingrained.

But she's in hawaii for two weeks, and so can't directly contradict me.

yay.

-ed

I have nothing against the UofC b-school but how is what they do more academic and noble than architecture?

Go ahead. Have a prejudice against the b-school. Here...I have extra if you want some of mine.

The attitude against things practical has to do with the core of the University...they have a different attitude about the professional schools.

And I haven't a clue what their prejudice is against architecture. Perhaps, historically, they felt they didn't want to compete with IIT and/or the Art Institute? [Haven't a clue whether AIC ever had any architecture programs....]

Giovanna

Along the same lines: the U of C closed down their library school and school of education in recent years. Too "applied".

Giovanna wrote:Go ahead. Have a prejudice against the b-school. Here...I have extra if you want some of mine.

Well, at least some of their faculty members know how to play darts and drink beer...

The attitude against things practical has to do with the core of the University...they have a different attitude about the professional schools.

Jealousy?

A

gleam wrote:I'm pretty sure it's revisionist history, and I'm pretty sure he pronounces it "oBEL".

You mean NOT revisionist history, right? If so, I agree. They pronounce it oh BEL on the in-store intercom. And I believe one of the framed articles on the wall in the store has a picture and story about the two proprietors.

And to tie this back to business schools, if we are dealing with two characters created by a pernicious marketing department, theyapparently have managed to infiltrate Michigan's Ross School of Business:

In the 2002 Alumni Club newsletter, someone wrote:The University of Michigan Business School Alumni Club of Chicago invites you to attend a Wine & Cheese Tasting and Reception at the Fox & Obel Market and Cafe 401 East Illinois St. (at River East Plaza), Chicago, IL 60611) on Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

The Evening's Program: Ari Fox, co-founder of Fox & Obel and a UM alumnus, will speak to the group about his decision to move out of the corporate world and on to the entrepreneurial endeavor of opening a gourmet market and cafe. Prior to co-founding Fox & Obel with his partner, Ken Obel, Ari was a corporate lawyer in New York City.

In addition to hearing Ari speak, we will have a wine expert from Fox & Obel give a wine-tasting session. Three wines will be presented and paired with two cheeses each. Wines and cheeses will be representative

Yup, i mistyped. clearly not revisionist history!

gleam wrote:Yup, i mistyped. clearly not revisionist history!

Thanks for clarifying. My world was turned upside down by what seemed to be the first time I can remember that you've ever been wrong. Really. No kidding.

Hammond

David Hammond wrote:

gleam wrote:Yup, i mistyped. clearly not revisionist history!

Thanks for clarifying. My world was turned upside down by what seemed to be the first time I can remember that you've ever been wrong. Really. No kidding.

Hammond

OTOH, this will not be the last time I will be wrong. I could have sworn I saw that story on the news, though.

stevez wrote:I just looked at their website, and they claim that the two guys are named Ari Fox and Ken Obel. Is this revisionist history or was I mistaken about the name being made up? (I think the former)

Not to belabor this point, but I'm usually not so horribly wrong about such things. The December 2004 issue of Chicago Magazine has the following quote on page 108 as part of the Fox & Obel catering section.

"Our prosciutto di Parma is made in Parma by a family that's been making hams for hundreds of years," says Cary Attar, president and chief executive officer, and cofounder.

Now, which one is he, Fox or Obel?...or do thay have a silent partner running the show?

stevez wrote:Now, which one is he, Fox or Obel?...or do thay have a silent partner running the show?

Did you ever think to read Ari and Ken's bios, which are prominently displayed on their website?

At any rate, I heard that Ari and Ken had a falling out of some sort. Ages ago. From what little else I gathered, one of them is no longer involved, at all.

So, your point, Steve...

Erik M.

Erik M. wrote:

stevez wrote:Now, which one is he, Fox or Obel?...or do thay have a silent partner running the show?

Did you ever think to read Ari and Ken's bios, which are prominently displayed on their website?

At any rate, I heard that Ari and Ken had a falling out of some sort. Ages ago. From what little else I gathered, one of them is no longer involved, at all.

So, your point, Steve...

Erik M.

Yes, I did read their bios. That's what originally made me think that my memory of the made up name of the store was flawed. Then I saw this in Chicago Mag and it made me think that perhaps I was correct in the first place and that "Fox & Obel" are pseudonyms. Maybe they took the real guys' bios and just put the phony names on them.

My point (or more correctly, my question) is, "Is there really a Fox and an Obel, or did they make up those names for marketing purposes as I recall from the news story when the store first opened?"

stevez wrote:Yes, I did read their bios. [...] My point (or more correctly, my question) is, "Is there really a Fox and an Obel, or did they make up those names for marketing purposes as I recall from the news story when the store first opened?"

I failed to mention that during one of my first visits, a few years back, I was introduced to two individuals by the names of Ari Fox and Ken Obel, but whatever, as it would seem that you may not be swayed.

So, for the edification of others that might be reading along, I will say that I just called the office, and I was informed that neither Ken nor Ari are involved with the business any longer.

Erik M.

Erik M. wrote:

stevez wrote:Yes, I did read their bios. [...] My point (or more correctly, my question) is, "Is there really a Fox and an Obel, or did they make up those names for marketing purposes as I recall from the news story when the store first opened?"

I failed to mention that during one of my first visits, a few years back, I was introduced to two individuals by the names of Ari Fox and Ken Obel, but whatever, as it would seem that you may not be swayed.

So, for the edification of others that might be reading along, I will say that I just called the office, and I was informed that neither Ken nor Ari are involved with the business any longer.

Erik M.

Ah,

So that could explain who Cary Attar is, although the title of "founder" is still puzzling.

stevez wrote:So that could explain who Cary Attar is, although the title of "founder" is still puzzling.

The woman that answered the phone in the office said that Cary was the new CEO, and she also named the CFO, but I already forgot his name.

Steve, you know, I haven't slept in two days, so I apologize if I am not coming across crystal clear. You see, the mystery of the "Foot Long Gyro" has kept me awake. Can't you offer me any clues?

Erik M.

Erik M. wrote:

stevez wrote:So that could explain who Cary Attar is, although the title of "founder" is still puzzling.

The woman that answered the phone in the office said that Cary was the new CEO, and she also named the CFO, but I already forgot his name.

Steve, you know, I haven't slept in two days, so I apologize if I am not coming across crystal clear. You see, the mystery of the "Foot Long Gyro" has kept me awake. Can't you offer me any clues?

Erik M.

The Foot Long Gyro is a rare specimen rarely seen in public. Even I, a professional gyro observer, have not actually seen one in the flesh, so to speak. Are they real? Like the Yetti of the Himalayas, folklore abounds, but an actual sighting...ah, now that would be something to post about!