Billy Dec (left) and Graham Elliot Bowles
Marketing Geniuses? Chicago Ambassadors? Or Media Whores?!
Graham Elliot Bowles and Billy Dec are certainly two of Chicago's larger-than-life personalities we just cannot seem to get enough of.
One's a star chef and the other's an old-school clubhead turned successful restaurateur. And what they have in common is that they've both mastered the art of keeping themselves newsworthy through various ventures as well as outrageous stunts . . .
Who The Hell Are They?!
Bowles: Executive Chef/Owner at graham elliot, grahamwich
Dec: Managing Partner at Rockit Bar & Grill River North, Rockit Bar & Grill Wrigleyville, Sunda, Underground
Famous Friends
Bowles: Anthony Bourdain, Perry Farrell, Gordon Ramsay
Dec: Jeremy Piven, David Schwimmer, Mayor Daley
Television Credits
Bowles: "Top Chef Masters," "Iron Chef America," FOX's "MasterChef" (debuts in July)
Dec: "Friends," "Entourage," "The Hills," "Metromix: The TV Show"
Twitter Stats (as of June 30, 2010)
Bowles: Followers, 3,192; Following, 0.
Dec: Followers, 8,015; Following, 3,101.
Most Outrageous Media Stunt
Bowles: Served as a "Chippendales" Bartender at Pops for Champagne
Dec: Infamously chowed down on human breast milk cheese on the "Today" show
Most Publicly Unselfish Moment
Bowles: The first-ever Culinary Director for Lollapalooza, he's charged with bringing a number of local restos to the three-day fest, including Big Star, Blue 13, Kuma's, Sunda and Trotter's to Go.
Dec: Served as one of the tireless ambassadors for the failed 2016 Chicago Olympics campaign.
So which one of these wild and craaaaazy guys runs this town?!
Cast your vote now at the bottom of the page . . .
I vote for Billy Dec, based on those Twitter stats alone! It proves that he gets how social media - and BEING SOCIAL - works. He is accessible to friends and fans, and is a true ambassador for Chicago!
ReplyDeleteI vote for GE, he is much more mainstream and how can you resist the white framed eye glasses?
ReplyDeleteLOVES ME SOME BILLY DEC AND I'M FROM CALI!!!
ReplyDeleteGE, ALL DAY! Chefs gotta stick together
ReplyDeleteI vote for Paul Kahan.
ReplyDelete@Anon 12:21pm
ReplyDeleteYeah, but does PK hang with David Schwimmer?! ;)
I voted for Bowles because he's not a douche
ReplyDeleteBilly Dec is a self serving promoter who talks about himself more than adds any value to twitter or Chicago. I miss @fakebillydec! My vote is for GE!!!!
ReplyDeleteI vote for Billy
ReplyDeleteI vote for Billy Dec!
ReplyDeleteHello - Billy!
ReplyDeleteI vote Billy Dec!!!
ReplyDeleteBilly Dec!
ReplyDelete!!! BILLY DEC !!!
ReplyDeleteBilly is Mr Chicago - he is a fantastic promoter of his brands and he is purely a fascinating person! Dec has my vote!!
ReplyDeleteDec by far!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally Billy!! Great guy, very big friend of the social media community. I've hosted several events at his venues and his staff is outstanding!
ReplyDeleteAll I know about Grahm is his rant about the Chicago Magazine article. I don't like people who use the social space to air their dirty laundry. Nuf said.
I Vote for Billy Dec, Hands down. What a great Guy. He has so much passion for what he does, whether its the city of Chicago, his restaurants or giving back to the Community. Ive met both of these men and Billy deserves it due to his commitment to excellence in all he focuses on. You want something done well give it to Billy!
ReplyDeleteHow is this even a contest. I've never even heard of Billy Dec's opponent. My vote is for Billy Dec, the most humble person I've ever known. He is Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI vote Billy Dec. He's an all around great guy, has the best restaurants in the city, he's passionate about food and Chicago, works non stop, gives back to the community...so many good things to say about him!
ReplyDeleteBilly Dec FOR SURE! Talk about a generous guy, and the hardest working man in Chicago! He uses his status in this city to help others, and works round the clock to make it all happen. Billy helped make my 20+ year dream come true, and this was before I even got the chance to meet him face-to-face. Once I got the opportunity to meet him in person, he is every bit as gracious and humble as can be. This man takes care of Chicago. I mean, look at how many Chicagoans he's following on Twitter? Is this other guy following anybody? NO!
ReplyDeletePeople may not like Billy cuz he's everywhere BUT that's why he should win. He is his own best PR and knows how to work it. Great interaction with his followers! Besides his clubs & restaurants are always tight- and draw the celebs in. Mr/ Chicago he is!
ReplyDeleteI vote for Billy Dec! Lets Go!
ReplyDeleteBilly Dec- No Contest!
ReplyDeleteGraham is more well known outside Chicago. Ask someone in Nebraska who Billy is and then ask them who Graham is.
ReplyDeleteA true foodie would vote Graham
People from Schuamburg vote Billy
I've never even heard of Bowles. Billy Dec gets my vote all the way!
ReplyDeleteDuh, BD!!
ReplyDeleteDec for President!
ReplyDeleteBilly Dec for sure. I leave Rockit feeling full and happy. I left Graham Elliot feeling hungry and ripped off.
ReplyDeleteDec for President!
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for BILLY DEC Hands Down!! He is nice, accommodating, and a true entrepreneur. Seems like he works hard for what he has accomplished and I truly don't know why people don't like him.
ReplyDeleteBilly Dec all the way!! I have not seen any other person on twitter like him! So sharing with his follwers! It seems like this is what he was born to do!! Also i love the food pics he put on twitter! He's one of a kind!
ReplyDeleteThe question is Who Runs This Town?, and based on everyone's answer it seems that the winner is Billy Dec. I love that guy and whether you love him (me, me, me!) or hate him, he promotes himself, his businesses and the city very well. He is super sweet; he answers tweets; and he represents Chicago well. It really doesn't hurt that he is very... visually pleasing and despite his three setbacks (I heard he is engaged, he actually likes the cubs and Rockit is 'technically' a michigan bar during football season) he definitely gets my vote! Can't wait to meet him in person!
ReplyDeleteMiss Mox
Graham!
ReplyDeleteDec of course.
ReplyDelete