Englewood native and chef Clifford Rome has partnered with UChicago Dining to open Peach’s at University on the first floor of Crerar Library.
Rome is a founding partner of Rome’s Joy Catering, Peach’s Restaurant, Blanc Gallery, and Parkway Ballroom, all located between 44th and 47th streets on King Drive. He recently became the head chef and owner of the Currency Exchange Café, located opposite the Garfield CTA Green Line Station, which re-opened in November as Peach’s at Currency Exchange Cafe. The Peach’s flagship diner is located on East 47th Street and South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Peach’s restaurants offer specialty coffee, baked goods, and breakfast and lunch options. Peach’s focuses on Southern comfort food with entrées including shrimp and grits, duck bacon, biscuits and gravy, and fried chicken. Students can expect the café in Crerar to offer baked goods, coffee, and light lunch offerings, according to a UChicago Dining newsletter.
Rome studied culinary arts in Paris and has worked alongside world-famous chefs Wolfgang Puck, Roger Verge, Bobby Flay, and Todd English. Rome returned to Englewood to found Rome’s Joy Catering.
Rome is committed to promoting Black participation in the culinary industry, and aims to hire and train people in the culinary arts and hospitality services who may be seen by others as unemployable. Rome partners with numerous programs, including Careers Through Culinary Arts Program, After School Matters, and Healthy Schools Campaign, to increase interest from Black youth in the culinary field.
