Keep the Party Going with The Melting Pot’s Do-It-Yourself Fondue

The Chicago Journal Staff on April 2, 2025

Running out of snacks at a party is every host or hostess’s nightmare. When the buffet gets low, guests think about leaving, and many actually head for the door. All too soon, the party’s over!

That’s why it’s particularly important to plan for the possibility of overtime if you’re having people over to watch a big game or sporting event. How will you ensure your guests are happily snacking while the two teams battle to break their tie?

The good news is that The Melting Pot, the chain of famous fondue restaurants, now offers a delectable do-it-yourself fondue kit designed to keep parties energized for hours, including during those key stretches of overtime. It’s called the Big Game Bundle.

Fondue at The Melting Pot

As anyone who has ever enjoyed a night out at one of The Melting Pot’s locations knows, there’s nothing like delicious fondue to promote group bonding. Fondue is a meal like no other — participants bend over pots of melted cheese and wield long-handled forks to dip bread, meat, or vegetables into the creamy goodness.

When they pull the fork back out, the food they chose is covered with yummy cheese. They pop the bite in their mouth, which explodes with The Melting Pot’s distinctive flavor — a specially crafted blend of cheeses designed to highlight the fondue’s qualities.

Food tastes sweeter when it’s fresh, and you actively prepare it yourself, and the same goes for dessert! There’s nothing quite like gathering around a saucepan or pot of melted chocolate with a plate of strawberries or other fruit. Happy, good-hearted laughter erupts as everyone crosses their forks, bent on securing their own perfect bite.

These are the sorts of amusing experiences that happen every day at The Melting Pot. Unlike conventional meals at ordinary restaurants, the magic of The Melting Pot’s fondue brings people together.

With The Melting Pot’s new Big Game Bundle, you can bring this fun-filled culinary experience to your own home.

Introducing The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle

Have you invited your friends and family to watch a big game or sporting event? If so, then The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle is a solution to keep your guests snacking happily.

With The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle, guests will have enough food to cheer for hours, even if the match stretches into overtime.

The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle provides a massive amount and a wide range of delicious food. First and foremost, two large pouches of dipping-ready Aged Cheddar and Gouda fondue are included.

The Big Game Bundle kit also includes a large variety of meats for dipping into the cheeses. How does kielbasa sausage sound? The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle features four, each weighing three ounces.

Do you prefer lean, boneless chicken breast? Again, the Big Game Bundle has your back! It also includes four, each five ounces heavy.

Is beef your favorite? The Big Game Bundle’s 16 ounces of premium tenderloin tips.

Does that already sound like an amazing amount of protein? It is, but The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle also includes all-beef meatballs — 18 ounces of them.

In addition, the Big Game Bundle also provides eight long baguettes and a delicious garlic butter topping. Moreover, get ready to please your taste buds with The Melting Pot’s one-of-a-kind Garlic & Wine seasoning, which also comes in the kit.

If that wasn’t enough, The Melting Pot understands that no buffet would be complete without dessert, which is why the Big Game Bundle also comes with eight Caramel Apple Tartlets. These charming individual pies feature a crisp crust and sweet filling for the perfect dessert, but they can also serve as a novel and delicious vehicle for fondue. Drizzle some of the cheese on top and prepare to have your mind blown!

Please Your Guests With the Big Game Bundle

Ordering The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle is quick and easy. Just visit the restaurant’s website, choose the appropriate number of kits given the size of your guest list, and supply your credit card information. Once you place your order online, you can expect your goodies to arrive at your front door within five to eight days. The shipping is free!

With The Melting Pot’s Big Game Bundle, hosts and hostesses can rest assured the feast at their party will please any crowd. Let the fun begin with fabulous fondue!

Published by Joseph T.

Dominika Laureto’s Journey from Immigrant to Wellness Innovator in Chicago

The Chicago Journal Staff on April 2, 2025

By: Mandy Lopez

A Journey of Resilience

When Dominika Laureto arrived in Chicago from Poland at age 22, she carried with her only $500 and not a single word of English. Facing a new culture and numerous obstacles, her early days were challenging and uncertain. Yet, she steadily turned these challenges into opportunities for growth. Her story reflects the spirit of resilience and adaptability.

Finding Her Footing

Dominika Laureto began her U.S. journey working in physically demanding jobs, cleaning houses and hospitals to make ends meet. Despite these humble beginnings, she remained committed to self-improvement. Determined to overcome her language barrier, she enrolled in English courses, quickly impressing teachers who encouraged her to pursue higher education. Her pursuit of growth led her to a career in nursing, motivated by a strong interest in helping others.

Shifting Perspectives

As an emergency room nurse for nearly a decade, Dominika Laureto observed firsthand the limitations of a reactive healthcare system. Repeatedly addressing symptoms without identifying underlying causes became emotionally taxing. This experience encouraged her to explore more proactive and integrative approaches to wellness.

Driven by these insights, Dominika Laureto transitioned into aesthetic nursing, where she discovered a growing passion for wellness-centered care. The experience introduced her to the value of personalized treatment strategies and the broader potential of integrative wellness.

Supreme Wellness: Innovation in Wellness

In 2020, Dominika Laureto founded Supreme Wellness with a vision to integrate aesthetics, wellness practices, and individualized care. Her work has attracted local attention for its combination of compassion, innovative techniques, and attention to client experience.

Clients value that Dominika Laureto considers their specific needs rather than applying standardized treatments. Her approach brings together various modalities—including hyperbaric oxygen chambers, IV nutrient therapies, and regenerative aesthetic options—as part of customized wellness strategies.

Championing Personalized Care

Dominika Laureto’s wellness philosophy focuses on individualization. At Supreme Wellness, each client undergoes an assessment intended to help inform a tailored wellness plan. Dominika believes that care should adapt to individuals, not the other way around.

“We aim to understand each person’s unique body, lifestyle, and goals,” Dominika explains. “Wellness care works when it is personal and adaptable.”

Integrity as the Foundation

Dominika Laureto’s emphasis on transparency and sincerity has helped build a dedicated client base at Supreme Wellness. Rather than focusing on short-term results, her practice emphasizes continuous evaluation of treatment outcomes. If a service or method does not appear to support client goals over time, it is carefully reviewed and may be removed.

“It’s important that we align our services with client needs,” says Dominika. “We strive to offer approaches that are both thoughtful and appropriate.”

This focus has encouraged trust and positive word-of-mouth. Dominika’s thoughtful and client-centered approach has helped strengthen her presence in the wellness space.

Paving the Way for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Beyond wellness, Dominika Laureto’s story resonates with members of Chicago’s immigrant community. Her journey—from a new arrival to an established entrepreneur—illustrates what can be accomplished through persistence and adaptability. She shares her background as a way to uplift others facing similar beginnings.

Expanding the Vision

Today, Dominika Laureto continues to evolve her business, having recently expanded Supreme Wellness into a larger facility. She plans to introduce additional services and technologies as part of her commitment to client-centered care. The expanded vision includes more diagnostic tools, broader wellness programs, and improved collaboration across specialties.

Ultimately, Dominika Laureto hopes to help make wellness care more widely accessible and integrated into everyday life. Her work contributes to ongoing conversations about how holistic wellness can support overall well-being, both in Chicago and beyond.

Published by Jeremy S.

Bearbottom Clothing: Redefining Menswear with Ethical Style and Everyday Comfort

The Chicago Journal Staff on April 2, 2025

By: Jay Feldman

Finding apparel brands that prioritize ethical practices can be challenging in an industry often focused on fast fashion and fleeting trends. Established in 2014 by Robert Felder, Bearbottom Clothing is a Tampa-based brand on a mission to deliver high-quality menswear that aims to positively impact the world. Bearbottom isn’t just about clothes; it’s a movement that strives to combine style, comfort, and social responsibility into every piece they create.

The Birth of Bearbottom Clothing

Bearbottom Clothing’s journey began in 2012 when Robert Felder first visited Bangladesh as a high school student. The experience was eye-opening. After witnessing the need for quality jobs and basic necessities in certain communities, he returned home determined to make a difference.

Growing up on Florida’s West Coast, Felder often noticed the lack of versatile clothes for people like himself—those who enjoy incorporating adventure into their daily lives. He wanted clothing that could work for travel, outdoor activities, and a night out, prioritizing comfort, fit, and sizing.

“I struggled to find clothes with the features that made them comfortable and functional year-round, so I decided to try creating them myself,” Felder remembers.

Upon returning from Bangladesh, Felder saw an opportunity to use his passion for designing clothes to make a positive impact. Recognizing that Bangladesh is one of the world’s major clothing production hubs, he believed he could support the people he met while building his brand. Felder launched Bearbottom with a vision of blending style, function, and social responsibility.

The Bearbottom Mantra

At the core of Bearbottom Clothing’s success lies its focus on comfort, versatility, and ethical practices. These values guide every step of the brand’s process, from ideation to manufacturing.

Comfort is a high priority at Bearbottom Clothing. Attention to fit and sizing is reflected in every piece they create. “We aim to test-wear every product we offer,” says Felder. “We want everything you buy from us to be as comfortable as it is stylish. Our goal is for you to feel your optimal whether you’re working, playing, or on the move.”

Bearbottom’s use of stretch fabrics with performance features helps its clothing stand out. Many of their pieces, such as pants or swimwear, are designed to move with the wearer, offering a high level of comfort in various activities.

Alongside comfort, Bearbottom Clothing focuses on designing versatile pieces. Felder’s vision centers on clothes that can adapt to every season and occasion. Whether it’s a casual outing, gym session, or hiking trip, Bearbottom’s range aims to cater to many aspects of a man’s life.

Thoughtful design and carefully chosen materials help achieve this versatility. The result is clothing that can often transition smoothly across different settings without sacrificing style.

Bearbottom’s Ethical Commitment

Bearbottom Clothing doesn’t just create pieces people love to wear; they also strive to give back. Ethical practices are central to Bearbottom, offering an alternative to an industry that sometimes prioritizes profit margins.

Today’s consumers increasingly want to know whether brands align with their values. They often research manufacturing practices, environmental efforts, and community impact. Bearbottom Clothing seeks to address these concerns through its initiatives.

Felder works to ensure that Bearbottom’s ethical standards are upheld. This includes caring for everyone involved, from Florida HQ to global suppliers. Recently, they adopted a vendor code of ethics based on global labor practices, supporting their responsible manufacturing goals.

While the apparel industry has faced criticism for waste and pollution, Felder and his team are actively exploring ways to reduce their environmental footprint. The brand incorporates post-consumer recycled materials and natural dyes where possible, contributing to less waste. Through these efforts, Bearbottom hopes to encourage more sustainable practices in fashion.

To help communities in Bangladesh, Bearbottom operates on a buy-one-give-one model, where each purchase helps fund a school meal for a child in India. So far, this has provided a tremendous number of meals. Past initiatives have included donating 100,000 shorts to kids in Bangladesh and India, as well as 275,000 protective masks during the COVID-19 crisis.

Closer to home, Bearbottom has launched special products like the Veterans’ Day “Good Boy Tee” to support local causes. This initiative raises funds for Dogs Inc., a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans at no cost. Bearbottom’s commitment to social responsibility extends beyond clothing; it reflects their broader goal of improving lives wherever they can.

The Future of Bearbottom Clothing

Bearbottom Clothing aspires to be more than just a menswear brand; it is working toward a future where ethical style and everyday comfort go hand in hand. As the brand grows, its mission stays focused: to create comfortable, versatile menswear while making a positive impact.

From a high school student’s vision to a growing menswear label, Bearbottom’s journey shows how fashion can be a force for good. “We set out to make a difference, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made,” concludes Felder. “By focusing on comfort, versatility, and ethical practices, Bearbottom Clothing aims to create menswear that looks good, feels good, and does good.”

Published by Joseph T.