By Ronald Roenigk
Publisher
Lincoln Park has never seen as great a collection of chefs working in one location as happened Sunday night at Charlie Trotter's where the restaurant's namesake hosted a dinner to celebrate the James Beard Foundation. The lucky guests who had a seat at the dinner found that clearly, too many chefs do not spoil the broth — or the Sea Urchin Panna Cotta and Yellowfin Tuna with Kumamoto Oyster and Seawater Ponzu for that matter.
Trotter, a member of the National Advisory Board of the James Beard Foundation, hosted nine of his protégés at a once-in-a-lifetime gathering in his flagship restaurant at 816 W. Armitage Ave., where they prepared an 11-course meal matched with wines selected by an equally august group of sommeliers working in concert with the visiting chefs.
The gathering of Charlie Trotter alumni had been rallied to help the Foundation; they collected $20,000 Sunday for the organization that suffered from an accounting scandal last year. "If Jim [Beard] were here he would probably have a witty and profound comment to make about the lineup of chefs preparing this evening's courses," said Trotter. "He would also be in awe of their talent and modesty, which is why they were asked to join me in hosting this dinner. It's about excellence in culinary arts."
Sunday night the restaurant's kitchen was a beehive of activity as the chefs worked together at the crowded preparation table to prepare the 11 dishes, 124 plates at a time. The room exploded with activity as over 30 culinary professionals filled every corner of the cramped kitchen to make sure the event went off without a hitch. The execution was flawless, which is perhaps a testament to Trotter's tutelage that all these folks could work so well together during their one, and only, night together as a team.
During the evening Trotter introduced Edna Morris, the newly hired executive director of the James Beard Foundation, who accepted the position in late February. She said that the organization had righted itself and was re-dedicating itself to their mission to "foster the appreciation and development of gastronomy by preserving and promulgating America's culinary heritage and recognizing and promoting excellence in all aspects of the culinary arts."
Trotter then introduced one-time Trotter sommelier Larry Stone, who had just accepted a position on the Foundation's National Advisory Board. He also introduced all the guest chefs once their primary duties in the kitchen were over.
Charlie Trotter's is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the world. Trotter opened his restaurant over 17 years ago in Lincoln Park and has since worked to achieve excellence in the culinary arts. Charlie Trotter's is continuously forging in new directions and has been instrumental in establishing new standards for fine dining worldwide.
But the landmark eatery was almost lost to Lincoln Park in its infancy when, shortly after its opening, area neighbors staged a vote-dry campaign that would have banned alcohol sales in the precinct in which the restaurant sits. Trotter walked the streets of his new neighborhood and, with the help of other local business people, convinced the area's neighbors to halt the campaign. The rest, as they say, is history.
In 1995 Charlie Trotter's was inducted into the esteemed Relais & Chateaux and in 1998 it was accepted as a member by Traditions & Qualité. It has also received Five Stars from the Mobil Travel Guide (the only Five Star restaurant in Chicago), Five Diamonds by AAA and seven James Beard Foundation awards, including Outstanding Restaurant (2000) and Outstanding Chef (1999). Wine Spectator named the restaurant The Best Restaurant in the World for Wine & Food (1998) and America's Best Restaurant (2000).
Beyond his culinary accolades, Trotter is involved in philanthropic activities, which include a vast number of national and international charities. Closest to his heart is the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation. Since its inception in 1999, Chef Trotter hosts bi-weekly dinners for high school students, as well as underwriting annual fundraising dinners for the foundation. To date, the foundation has raised over $400,000 to award to individuals seeking careers in the culinary arts. Trotter recently received an award at the White House from both President George W. Bush and Colin Powell for his work with the Foundation, and he was named one of only five Heroes to be honored by the former Secretary of State's charity, America's Promise. |
