The head chef of the popular Loop restaurant Saucy Porka was seriously injured in a brutal stabbing attack outside his home in October, forcing the business to permanently close its downtown location.
Chef M, who helped build Saucy Porka from a food truck into a multi-location business, was attacked by three men as he returned home from work on October 24 in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Surveillance video captured the moment the assault occurred. Chef M was stabbed three times in the back by one of the attackers, who was armed with a knife.
“One guy had a knife and stabbed me three times,” Chef M said. “And then I think, only, ‘he kill me.'”
He reports having no idea why he was targeted.
The injuries were severe and nearly took his life, requiring an eight-day hospital stay. Crucially, the attack also caused significant nerve damage to his hands, preventing him from returning to the kitchen and the job he loves.
“It takes the people that love you the most, to tell you that you need to take time for yourself,” said Saucy Porka owner Amy Le.
Le, who has worked with Chef M for over a decade, confirmed that without her head chef, who holds the knowledge of all the recipes and operations, the restaurant’s location on the corner of Franklin and Van Buren is forced to close.
“It’s the people you work with every day that become your family… and to watch it close after 13 years, even though we have the other location, it’s still an end to this chapter that you’ve built,” Le stated.
The announcement of the closing has led to an outpouring of support from the community.
Over $11,000 has been raised to go toward Chef M’s extensive medical expenses.
Saucy Porka is also selling the chef’s signature spices to help raise funds.
Chef M is grateful to be alive, stating, “Thank God, I’m still here.” However, he remains uncertain if he will ever be able to cook again.
Chicago police have stated there are no updates on the case as of yet.
