World-renowned, James Beard Award-winning, Michelin-starred chef, Curtis Duffy, was raised in Ohio. Duffy moved to Chicago to work for legendary chef, Charlie Trotter before becoming Chef de cuisine at Alinea. As head chef at Avenues, Duffy earned two Michelin stars. Duffy later opened Grace restaurant, earning three Michelin stars four years in a row. Duffy since opened Michelin-starred restaurant, Ever, and After lounge.

Netflix released For Grace--a documentary about Duffy creating Grace, the tragic loss of his parents, and becoming a critically acclaimed chef. Duffy has appeared on Top Chef, Iron Chef, and his dishes and Ever restaurant have been featured heavily in Hulu's hit series, The Bear. Duffy volunteers for Chicago's Banchet Awards, the Grand Chef's Gala, and sits on the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts advisory board, where a $25,000 scholarship in his name is awarded.

Duffy lives between Chicago and Miami with his wife, Jennifer Duffy and their children. Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef is his first book.

Jeremy Wagner is a guitarist, songwriter, and bestselling author. His debut novel The Armageddon Chord is the recipient of the Hiram Award and Barnes & Noble Top 10 paperback bestseller. His novel Rabid Heart was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel, received an Independent Publisher's IPPY Award for both Best Horror e-Book, and was a Next Generation Book Award finalist for Best Horror Novel.

Wagner is releasing two books in 2025: including a new dark-crime novel Wretch and Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef with Chef Curtis Duffy. Living between Chicago and Miami with his wife Kym, Wagner has released several albums with his bands Broken Hope and Earthburner.