John Kinder

Michael Sanson

There's been a buzz in Chicago about this mixologist dude who's been creating a scene at MK, which has long been known for its food because of chef/owner Michael Kornick. But now John Kinder is behind the bar and MK is delivering a one-two punch like never before. So we track down his picture and the guy's a major Melvin who looks like he's been rejected on Match.com a couple hundred times. Later, Kinder explains we got our hands on his “buy an annuity from me picture,” which he had taken years ago at Sears.

The 32-year-old once had another career (he has an MBA in finance and real estate), but he eventually ditched that car along the side of the road in favor of a sexier model. New career … new picture.

Kinder made a name for himself as a mixologist at the legendary Pump Room, where the cocktail is king and legends have held court. But Frank Sinatra could never get his mind around what Kinder is mixing at MK (see his drink recipe on p. 64). Yup, he's doing it his way, and the media is diggin' it. Starchefs.com named him a 2008 Rising Star Bar Chef and Beverage Media Guide named him one of 10 national “Up & Coming Mixologists.” This should give hope to all the dorks out there.