Chicago native Gregory Laketek, Owner and Salumiere of West Loop Salumi is at the forefront of the cured meat business with the first Illinois USDA certified salumeria. Laketek transformed his life, after being burnt out by his day to day office job in consulting, he returned to his family's homeland of Italy to study the craft of curing meats, a passion that began as a small child visiting family in the region. At a young age Gregory fell in love with the tastes of traditional Italian salumi and in using traditional methods and ingredients Gregory has recreated these hand crafted flavors in his products.