Meet Jim Chaddock! Jim has been a professional musician for 25 years but found true notoriety as a chef and entrepreneur when he co-founded The Rolling Stonebaker, one of the region’s first food trucks, in 2010. He has since struck out on his own with South Shore Ovenworks, serving wood fired pizza throughout Dunes Country at markets, breweries, festivals and private events.
What brought you to the dunes? I was born here! My parents moved to Beverly Shores in 1971. My Dad grew up in Ogden Dunes and my Mom grew up in the Pines, so Beverly Shores was the halfway point.
How long have you lived here? My whole life. I’ve lived in Chesterton, Valparaiso and Michigan City over the years before moving to an apartment in Beverly Shores in 2006 and finally buying a house here in 2011.
What is your favorite thing to do in the area? I love jogging the trails in the Dunes. I would say running, but I’m not that fast, ha! Sailing a Hobie Cat on Lake Michigan has to be about the most fun you can possibly have, but it’s hard to find time. I can run right out my front door and have the most amazing trails all to myself.
Tell us a secret about the dunes. They are just as beautiful in the winter as they are in the summer. Of course the beaches here are fantastic in the summer, but I love walking the beach when there is shelf ice, taking my son sledding in the blowouts (where it’s allowed) and taking long hikes without seeing another soul.
Give us your top three “hidden treasures” (restaurant, shop, trail, beach, event…really anything!)
a) Cowles Bog – right at the entrance to Dune Acres on Mineral Springs Road (shhh!) This is the best running trail in the area. It’s beautiful, high enough to be dry even after a rain and the ups and downs will really get you heart rate up!
b) Schoolhouse Shop – I love this little shop in Furnessville and it has never let me down for that perfect unique gift on a Mother’s Day, Birthday or Christmas. Seeing the art of David Sanders on the wall is a treat too, his work is a hidden treasure in its own right!
c) Burn ‘Em Brewing – on Freyer Road in Michigan City, these guys make great beer and the outdoor patio is a sweet place to meet friends, enjoy a handcrafted beverage, listen to live music and check out the local food trucks that roll through there.
What would you like to teach people about the dunes? There’s so much to do and so many magical places to explore you just have to get out and wander. Throw out your itinerary and go for a drive with your eyes open, like it’s your first time here. There is wonderful art, talented musicians, inspiring chefs and amazing natural beauty all around us.
Anything else? If you see me out and about, say hello! If you’re at a local farm market, brewery or wedding and you see a wood fired pizza outfit called South Shore Ovenworks, that’s me. I’ve been making pizza like this for 6 years now and this is my new venture. I’m an avid gardener and grow my own basil, heirloom tomatoes and heritage peppers and love working with area farmers to source the best toppings for my pizzas. You might also catch me playing guitar and singing in local restaurants and pubs, which I do a couple times a month. I love Dunes Country and plan on being here for life!
You can find South Shore Ovenworks at Burn ‘Em Brewing in Michigan City on Thursday nights, at the Griffith Central Market on Friday nights and at Munster’s Sunday Market weekly. For more information and additional locations, check or follow South Shore Ovenworks.
Want to join us for our sunset photography class? Learn about our hikes here.