When Rich W Kafka, our founder, was growing up, his father started a restaurant equipment repair company. As a teen, Rich began to learn the trade from his father, and as he matured, he started to take on more responsibility and venture out on his own. 

 

One hot day in July 1980, Rich was on the job at a fixture showroom, repairing equipment, when the showroom phone rang. It was an official from the City of Chicago asking the store manager if he knew of an equipment mechanic that could help them out with Arnie Morton's new idea called 'Taste of Chicago.' The store manager instantly referred Rich. Rich then jumped in his station wagon and headed to Michigan Avenue to find several restaurants whose equipment were in need of conversion from Natural Gas to propane and repair. Rich went to work & remained on-site for the one day event to ensure that their equipment operated without fail. Everyone was so impressed by his work, Rich was asked to return the following year, and every year since! 

 

Fast forwarding to 2007, Rich has successfully been working at the Taste of Chicago over a few decades or so. Personally at that time, he was happily married with a grown daughter, Dominique, who began dating a mechanically inclined gentleman named Dominic Gulli. Dominic set aside time from his day job in construction to help Rich repair and maintain vendor provided gas equipment & deliver rental equipment for the Taste that year. The event had grown to over 100 food vendors for the course of 10 days.

 

Over the years, Rich's honesty, dedication, knowledge, and integrity helped mold relationships with all of Chicago's top notch restaurateurs. Rich took Dom under his wing to teach him the family business, as his father had done for him. The Taste of Chicago became an annual tradition, shared with family, enjoying Navy Pier's 4th of July firework display and tastes of some of the best cuisine that Chicago has to offer.

 

In 2016, the bridges that had been built over 36 years created an opportunity to pivot, and add to the portfolio of serving Chicago's restaurateurs, by supplying the Taste of Chicago with propane service. Rich & Dominic used their combined knowledge to start KEP Propane & Equipment LLC.  From there, they furthered their education with the Illinois Propane Gas Association, secured all of the proper insurance, purchased all of necessary material, teamed up with a local propane supplier, and submitted a bid to the Taste of Chicago.  That year they installed all of the vendor supplied gas cooking equipment safely,  on time, and without fail. They were then asked to supply service at 2 other large scale music festivals that year; Lollapalooza Chicago and Riot Fest. 

 

As their company grew, it only seemed natural for these two family men to pass the knowledge down the family tree to Rich's nephew Alex & Dominic's three son's; Anthony, Richie, and John. Since the first years they have all taken on different roles in this family owned and operated business. Alex Hall, one of the most genuine human beings on this planet, is now the manager and lead technician.  Anthony, Dominic's oldest took on a technician role at 18 years old & has been helping out ever since.  Richie, Dominic's middle son, currently 16 and has taken on an admin role. He's able to work over the summer & learn the importance of vendor relationships and quality control, all while all while learning the technician role from afar. Dominic's youngest, John, is 9 now.  He will find his way soon, but enjoys being around when he can.

 

Currently KEP services 35+ events in the Midwest per year. Our 15+ person team, including the admin staff and an onsite crew, all consists of family and life long friends. We are so thankful to the hard work and dedication of those that we love that have helped make us what we are today.