New Executive Chef Robert Packer Brings

How can you improve on a beautiful, stylish pan-Asian restaurant with top-notch food and service? Add an energetic and charismatic chef ready to make it the hot spot in the northern and northwest Chicago suburbs. That is exactly what Karma in Mundelein is getting in its new executive chef Robert Packer.

A native Illinoisan from Harwood Heights, Packer brings more than 18 years experience to Karma (510 East Route 83, Mundelein, IL 847-970-6900). "Cooking is all I ever wanted to do. In fact, I recently attended a grade school reunion and received an award for being the only person who was actually doing what he said he set out to do. My older brother and sister taught me to fend for myself because both my parents worked double jobs. I can still remember when they taught me to make grilled cheese sandwiches. I couldn't have asked for a better childhood. My parents were very supportive."

After graduating from the Culinary School of Kendall College, Packer was hired as the sous chef at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Soon after, he was promoted to executive sous chef of the Prairie Restaurant in the Hyatt Printers Row Hotel. During this time he was awarded manager of the month and also served as the sous chef of food preparation for the U.S. Open. Chef Robert Lang was Packer's biggest culinary influence. "He was truly inspirational. He could pull off whatever he said he could while teaching you his techniques and cooking for 5,000 people, all at the same time."

After his experience with Hyatt Hotels, Packer was hired as the executive sous chef for Foodlife, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise's multifaceted eating emporium at The Water Tower Place. In 1996, he became the executive chef of Holiday Inn O'Hare International Hotel. He then became the executive chef at the Wyndham Glenview Suites Hotel in 1998 where he stayed for eight years. Prior to joining Karma, he was the executive banquet chef for The Q-Center in St. Charles.

"I realize I have big shoes to fill, but I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and do what I can to make Karma an everyday destination. I am confident that our customers will be pleased with our new menu and added emphasis on the Karma bar. I want Karma to be that wonderful restaurant people talk about when they crave excellent pan-Asian food and are looking for that special restaurant that they don't have to travel miles to reach. I am very excited about Karma's future."

A resident of Des Plaines, Packer is married to Gina and has two children, Alex (8) and Max (2) and a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Bear (13).

Karma is open seven days a week 6:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m for lunch; 5:00 p.m - 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for dinner; and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner. The lounge is open 5 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 5 p.m. - midnight Friday and Saturday. Karma is located adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore at 510 East Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060. For reservations, call Karma at 847-970-6900.