“I never went to cooking school,” says Stephen Wambach, but for someone without formal training, he’s managed to build an impressive resumé: The guy is the former corporate chef for Laurent Tourondel’s BLT Restaurant Group and has opened restaurants everywhere from Hong Kong to Miami Beach. As for his new venture, Epic, the 190-seat industrial spot in River North is slated to bow mid-December. “I have been very lucky to work with the people I have, but this is very exciting for me,” says Wambach. We suspect that’s because it’s a chance for Wambach to finally create his own dream restaurant—one that includes entrées such as seared halibut with a caramelized cauliflower purée and hazelnut emulsion. 112 W. Hubbard St.; 312-222-4940.