It's heartening to learn about a cafe such as First Slice which is doing such a good job at keeping one of mankind's most fought problems, hunger, at bay. Food is a basic need and in providing this important necessity to hundreds of homeless, First Slice has set a precedent in the city of Chicago, where memories are bound by food and souls are nourished with hot soup.

Chef Mary Ellen Diaz, a student of l'Ecole des Arts Culinaires, brings delicious organic food to the table, typically the likes of Italian chopped salad, with Romanian lettuce and local greens with fresh tomatoes, black olives, garlic croutons and Parmesan cheese tossed in a red wine vinaigrette. Or maybe the spinach and butternut squash lasagne with mushroom and roasted red pepper dip. They also offer desserts such as chocolate peanut butter pie or New York cheesecake.