Gay in the Life: Matthew Sheridan - 5837 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News

Matthew Sheridan gets his greatest job satisfaction from guest satisfaction.

"Anyone who works in service can attest that when you know you've exceeded a guest's expectations and that they've truly had a memorable experience, you get a rush," he said.

Sheridan moved home to Chicago in 2010 and began working for Matt Fisher at his Gold Coast restaurant, Eve. "Shortly thereafter, [Fisher transformed] Eve into Bistronomic with his business partner, John Ward. They introduced me to Alpana Singh [the former host of WTTW's Check Please who is proprietor of The Boarding House] when the three of them began planning The Boarding House. She and I bonded over white wine and gin," he said.

Sheridan has been with The Boarding House since opening day ( Dec. 13, 2012 ).

"[Since] the restaurant is five-stories, everyone on the management team wears small headsets to communicate with each other," Sheridan said. "Without fail, at least once a week, someone asks very secretly if I'm a member of the Secret Service and if the President is dining with us. We would love to have him in, but, so far, the answer is, no.

"The building is from 1872, so it is haunted by a plethora of benevolent ghosts. We've dubbed the ghost who rides the elevator, Eleanor. At the most unexpected moments, when no one has called it, the elevator will open on a random floor. In the beginning, it was creepy, [but] now it just puts a smile on my face."

Sheridan said he truly enjoys the talented, energetic staff he works alongside. Plus, "it also doesn't hurt to be surrounded by some of the best wine in the world," he said.

Sheridan also praised its pizza.

Sheridan said his job "is a constant learning experience—wine, service, idiosyncrasies of Chicago diners," and more, he said. "I love the Chicago restaurant industry and the people who work in it. There is a dynamism and real passion from everyone."

Sheridan's long-term goal is to open his own restaurant, eventually. "The last few years I lived in New York City, I worked at a tiny tapas restaurant called Olea in Brooklyn. It is the blueprint of the type of place I would like."

His dream job is running a small bed and breakfast in Oaxaca, Mexico.

"The owner of Olea, Dan Demarti, taught me everything I know about guest satisfaction," Sheridan said. He also praised Einat Admony, of Balaboosta, "for giving me my first chance to manage."

The owners of The Boarding House "continue to groom me, challenge me and trust me," he said.

"My professional life has been a string of happy accidents. I started in fashion and years later I am in hospitality management. I wouldn't change a thing," he said. "The people I have met over the years have made every step and every surprise amazing."

THE STATS

Age

Neighborhood

Andersonville

Relationship status

Single

Job title

MaÃ�®tre d' and general manager of The Boarding House

College

"I studied fashion design [menswear] at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn," graduating in 2003.

Hobbies

"Filling my passport with stamps, cooking, [and] exploring Chicago's dining scene."