Become a Southernish Founding Supporter…

Southernish has always been about gathering around the table, and now we’re building a home for it!

We’d be honored to have you as a Founding Supporter in this next chapter.

A Home for Southernish

We recently signed a lease at 209 Stephen Street in Lemont! For those who know the community, it’s the former Just Hummus space. This space brings us one step closer to the full vision we have for Southernish.

From our early days in business, our goal has been to build something more than a personal chef service. We’ve been searching for a space that would allow us to maximize production for our private clients while also creating room for the experiences so many of you have asked for.

This space gives us exactly that.

What This Expansion Makes Possible

Our new brick-and-mortar home gives Southernish a true headquarters! A place to:

  • Expand and streamline our personal chef production

  • Launch hands-on cooking classes

  • Host intimate private events

Launching cooking classes is our first major step.

It allows us to move beyond our current operational constraints and begin building toward the larger vision, thoughtfully and sustainably.

The Bigger Vision

While our initial focus is classes and events, our long-term vision includes a curated wine program, guided tastings and wine education, a wine club with thoughtfully sourced retail offerings, and a selection of local and artisanal provisions (like cheese.)

We’re planting the seeds for Southernish to become a space rooted in hospitality, education, and community.

We’re Inviting You In

Rather than pursuing traditional financing, we’re choosing a path that feels more aligned with who we are.

We’re inviting our most loyal supporters to become Founding Supporters through a curated collection of exclusive, experience-based offerings.

These founder-only perks help us launch from a position of strength, equipping the space and building programming, while keeping Southernish independent, intentional, and rooted in community.

Below you’ll find our Founding Supporter levels. Each tier includes thoughtfully designed experiences and perks. Availability may be limited at certain levels.

All tiers from Silver up to Diamond will have access to the founders only Southernish House Apron program- A limited-edition apron stored on-site for your exclusive use during classes and events.


Founding Supporter Levels

Founding Supporter packages are pre-purchased hospitality experiences and are not gift certificates or stored value instruments. By purchasing a Founding Supporter package, you are pre-purchasing limited, defined future hospitality experiences and supporter benefits, subject to scheduling limitations, capacity constraints, operational contingencies, and the terms set forth below.

  • Bronze Supporter

    Commitment: $250
    Estimated Retail Value: $300

    • Invitation for two to Founding Preview Event (anticipated Spring 2026)

    • Early notification of public class schedule (anticipated Spring 2026)

    All benefits subject to Founding Supporter Terms & Conditions.

  • Commitment: $500
    Estimated Retail Value: $650

    • Two Complimentary Guest Seats for Public Cooking Classes (subject to launch-period usage limits)

    • Invitation for two to Founding Preview Event

    • Early notification of public class schedule

    • Southernish House Apron Program access

    All benefits subject to Founding Supporter Terms & Conditions.

  • Commitment: $750
    Estimated Retail Value: $1050

    • Six Complimentary Guest Seats for Public Cooking Classes (subject to ninety-day launch cap and usage limits)

    • Invitation for two to Founding Preview Event

    • Early notification of public class schedule

    • Southernish House Apron Program access

    All benefits subject to Founding Supporter Terms & Conditions.

  • Commitment: $1250
    Estimated Retail Value: $1450

    • Personal Chef Dinner Companion Benefit (two additional guests, subject to standard policies)

    • Six Complimentary Guest Seats for Public Cooking Classes (subject to usage limits)

    • Invitation for two to Founding Preview Event

    • Early notification of public class schedule

    • Southernish House Apron Program access

    All benefits subject to Founding Supporter Terms & Conditions.

  • Commitment: $2000
    Estimated Retail Value: $2850

    • Private Cooking Class for up to fourteen (14) guests (eligible beginning January 1, 2027; must be completed by June 30, 2028)

    • Personal Chef Dinner Companion Benefit (two additional guests, subject to standard policies)

    • Six Complimentary Guest Seats for Public Cooking Classes (subject to launch cap and usage limits)

    • Invitation for two to Founding Preview Event

    • Early notification of public class schedule

    • Southernish House Apron Program access

    All benefits subject to Founding Supporter Terms & Conditions.

We believe in clarity and transparency.

Please review the terms below before committing.

  • Thank you for supporting Southernish.

    By purchasing a Founding Supporter package, you are pre-purchasing limited, defined future hospitality experiences and supporter benefits, subject to scheduling limitations, capacity constraints, operational contingencies, and the terms set forth below.

    These packages:

    • Do not constitute charitable donations

    • Are not gift certificates

    • Are not stored value instruments

    • Do not represent a prepaid debit account or general-use purchasing instrument

    • Do not constitute general store credit

    • Do not represent a stored monetary balance

    Purchasers acknowledge that no alcohol is being pre-sold or guaranteed under these packages.

    Opening timeline (anticipated Spring 2026) is estimated and subject to construction progress, permitting, inspections, and regulatory approvals.


    Non-Refundability, Non-Transferability & Tax Treatment

    All Founding Supporter purchases:

    • Are non-refundable

    • Are non-transferable (unless expressly stated otherwise)

    • May not be resold, assigned, or transferred for commercial purposes

    • Are not tax-deductible

    • Have no cash value

    • May not be redeemed for cash, credit, or monetary reimbursement

    Benefits may not be combined with other promotions, discounts, or special offers unless expressly permitted by Southernish.

    Purchasers should consult their own tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of this purchase.

    Benefit Activation & Eligibility

    Upon official opening of the Southernish culinary space (anticipated Spring 2026), the following benefits become redeemable:

    • Founding Supporter Preview Event

    • Early notification and a one-time priority enrollment window for the initial public class schedule released at opening. This benefit applies only to the first published class schedule and does not extend to future class releases.

    • Southernish House Apron Program

    • Complimentary Guest Seats for Public Cooking Classes

    • Personal Chef Dinner Companion Benefit

    Private Cooking Class Benefit (Diamond Tier Only)

    Booking eligibility begins January 1, 2027.

    Redemption Period & Expiration

    Unless otherwise specified:

    • Complimentary Guest Seats and Personal Chef Dinner Companion benefits expire eighteen (18) months from the official opening date.

    • Private Cooking Class benefits must be booked and completed no later than June 30, 2028 (18 months from January 1, 2027).

    • Benefits not redeemed within the applicable redemption period expire and are forfeited without refund.

    Redemption periods reflect the limited-capacity, event-based nature of these hospitality experiences and are not intended to function as general retail credit or stored monetary value.

    No benefit has cash value and may not be exchanged for monetary credit.

    Complimentary Guest Seat Policy (Public Cooking Classes)

    Complimentary Guest Seats allow a supporter to bring one guest to a public cooking class at no additional class fee, provided:

    • The supporter is enrolled and attends

    • The class is not sold out

    • Standard booking policies are satisfied

    Guest seats:

    • May not be used independently of the supporter

    • Are not transferable

    • Have no cash value

    • Are subject to availability

    Launch Capacity Protection (Tiers with More Than Two Seats)

    To preserve availability during opening months:

    • A maximum of two (2) guest seats may be redeemed within the first ninety (90) days following official opening.

    • Remaining guest seats may be used during the applicable redemption period, subject to availability.

    • Southernish reserves the right to limit Founding Supporter redemptions in any individual class to protect general enrollment capacity.

    Personal Chef Dinner Companion Benefit

    When a supporter books a qualifying Southernish Personal Chef Dinner and satisfies all applicable minimums and booking policies:

    • The supporter may include up to two additional guests at no additional event fee.

    • Valid for one qualifying event only.

    • All food costs, staffing minimums, travel requirements, and event policies remain applicable.

    This benefit:

    • Has no cash value

    • May not be redeemed independently of a qualifying booked event

    • Is subject to the standard redemption period outlined above

    Private Cooking Class Benefit (Diamond Tier)

    • Valid for one private cooking class for up to fourteen (14) guests.

    • Booking eligibility begins January 1, 2027.

    • Must be completed by June 30, 2028.

    • Not available on Fridays, Saturdays, or during November or December.

    • Additional blackout dates may apply.

    • Subject to availability and standard booking restrictions.

    • Date is secured only upon execution of a written event agreement and receipt of any required deposit.

    Shared / Couple Purchases

    Founding Supporter benefits extend to both individuals listed on a shared package.

    However:

    • Redemption limits apply collectively to the package.

    • Guest seat quantities reflect the total allotment for the tier purchased.

    • Benefits are not duplicated per individual.

    • All benefits remain non-transferable beyond the named purchasers.

    Booking & Availability

    Personal Chef Experiences, Private Cooking Classes, and Private Events:

    • Are not redeemable on Fridays or Saturdays.

    • Are not redeemable during November or December.

    • Are subject to availability.

    • May be subject to additional blackout dates.

    Advanced booking is required.

    All experiences must be scheduled and completed within the applicable redemption period.

    Travel beyond a one-hour radius from:

    209 Stephen Street, Lemont, Illinois

    may require travel accommodations at purchaser expense unless otherwise agreed in writing.

    Southernish reserves the right to make reasonable modifications to instructors, menus, venues, scheduling formats, or experience structure, provided materially comparable value is maintained.

    Alcohol & Beverage Service

    Alcohol and beverage service are not included in any package.

    Any future alcohol service is contingent upon applicable licensing approvals under Illinois law.

    No alcohol is being pre-sold, prepaid, or guaranteed.

    Estimated Retail Value Disclosure

    Each tier includes an estimated retail value provided for transparency purposes only.

    Actual value may vary based on scheduling, seasonality, availability, ingredient costs, staffing requirements, and other operational factors.

    Force Majeure & Opening Contingency

    Southernish intends to open and operate as planned and will make good faith, commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill all Founding Supporter benefits.

    If Southernish:

    • Does not open,

    • Permanently ceases operations prior to redemption, or

    • Is legally unable to provide experiences due to circumstances beyond its control (including but not limited to governmental action, public health restrictions, natural disasters, labor shortages, supply disruptions, or regulatory delays),

    Southernish’s liability shall be limited to:

    (a) substitution of comparable value experiences, if available, or
    (b) refund of the unused portion of the purchase price, determined in a commercially reasonable manner.

    If performance is temporarily prevented due to force majeure, the redemption period shall be extended for a commercially reasonable period following resumption of operations.

    Limitation of Liability

    To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, Southernish shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential, special, indirect, or punitive damages arising out of or related to participation in the Founding Supporter Program.

    Governing Law

    These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

    Any disputes arising from or relating to the Founding Supporter Program shall be resolved individually and not as part of a class action proceeding.


Commitment form

If you’re ready to join us, please complete the form below. We will follow up with confirmation details and next steps including options for payment.