More Than Meats the Eye

Tired of TV's penchant for glossy studio kitchen shots? Then the Sky Full of Bacon videos will be like manna from gritty, real-life food heaven.

The man behind the camera is media veteran Michael Gebert. Since June of last year, he's been creating 20-minute documentaries about the most interesting and unusual characters in food.

With the exception of three field trips--for Texas brisket, Iowa's La Quercia prosciutto, and a Wisconsin raccoon dinner--the series is rooted in Chicago. You'll find the story behind the family-run Sun Wah Chinese restaurant (which works with an Indiana duck breeder to breed the perfect fowl), follow the path of a pig head from market to Mado, and learn about urban foraging.

Recently, Gebert has turned his lens toward the lake, creating a two-part piece on local, sustainable fish. In it, Gebert takes a trip on a whitefish boat in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, talks to Chicago Fish Dude Carl Galvan, and interviews Chicago chefs Paul Virant and Jean Joho about sourcing local fish.

Part one is available online now; part two will debut on August 31 at a private symposium Galvan organized for local chefs at Shedd Aquarium, and be online soon after.

To try a local fish today, head to Blackbird for their seared whitefish sandwich ($13)--one of Gebert's favorites.