A whole new world of flavors

DIXON – You don’t have to go to a museum to find a curator – there’s one coming to downtown Dixon, and you can find her in the kitchen.

Jessi Marshall is bringing a new restaurant to her hometown, but don’t look for a strictly Midwest menu. Marshall plans to bring tastes from around the world to her tables when she opens Curate Kitchen.

Marshall is putting together menu ideas based on favorite foods she’s come across during her travels. Crepes from Toronto, salads from Amsterdam, and pressed sandwiches from Ireland and England, to name just a few.

The former director of education at the Professional Beauty Association in Scottsdale, Arizona, moved back home when she heard the building where former Sauk Valley Cleaners at 120 W. River St. was for sale.

"I always knew I was going to move back here, but cooking, coffee and entertaining is my passion," Marshall said.

She and her crew have been hard at work gutting the building and getting it ready for a November opening. The restaurant has a Facebook page – find “Curate Dixon” – where people can check out how things are going.

They also can see menu updates. Although Curate's culinary lineup is still a work in progress, some of the tastes she’s tested include egg roll in a bowl, apple and cheddar panini, tuna and chickpea pita pockets, and Mediterranean quinoa salad.

Marshall’s focusing on menu items that are not only good to eat, but also good for you, and ones that can be turned around quickly – like fast food for the health conscious.

She plans to be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The restaurant will seat up to 50, and there are plans to add a patio to seat even more.

"I'm just excited to come back and support and serve the downtown area,” she said.

Curate is hiring kitchen staff, servers and baristas. For more information or to apply, find the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram, email Jessi at jessi@curatedixon.com, or call 815-677-7032.