Patricia Biesen is the blogger for ChicagoNow's Chicago Eats Allergy Free, a blog about coping with food allergies in the city of Chicago. This is not an easy task considering that Top Chef judge Tom Collicchio was once quoted as saying, "Chicago is a city that considers sausage to be a religion". Biesen also has personal experience with food allergies as she is allergic to wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, red kidney beans and oysters. Biesen is a PAC (Protect Allergic Children) consultant with the ELL Foundation. ELL is a non-for-profit organization that stands for Eating, Living and Learning. She is trained to assist families, schools and daycare centers in their quest to thrive in an allergy free environment. She is currently a student of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Upon graduation she will become a holistic health counselor.