Art Wnorowski

About Chef/Owner Art Wnorowski: Blending his Polish heritage, passion for hospitality, and a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship, Artur “Art" Wnorowski's journey to becoming a chef and restaurateur spans two continents. Growing up, Art spent summers on his grandparents’ farm in southeastern Poland, where he gained an early appreciation for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the artistry of food preparation while harvesting grains and beans to helping his grandfather butcher pigs and smoke kielbasa in their basement smoker. After graduating from University of Illinois -Urbana Champaign in 2004 with a degree in finance, Art and his wife-turned-restaurant-partner Gosia Pieniazek pivoted to hospitality when the 2008 recession disrupted their careers. Their shared love for entertaining and a vision for creating memorable dining experiences led them to open their first restaurant, Lokal, in 2009. The pan-European concept allowed Art to explore and celebrate a variety of culinary traditions, encouraging the couple to open other concepts including Ella’s BBQ, Earl’s BBQ and Mas Tacos. In January 2024, Art & Gosia returned to their Polish roots when they launched Pierogi Kitchen, a Polish-American eatery that went viral for their delicious pierogis. While the pierogi drew diners in, it was the house-made kielbasa that quickly became the star of the menu. Recognizing an opportunity to revive the old-world butcher shop traditions that Chicago was known for in the 1950s, Art & Gosia introduced Wurst Behavior, a modern sausage-focused concept that pays homage to European heritage while embracing diverse culinary influences.