CHEFSCharlie TrotterCharlie Trotters Charlie Trotter's is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the world. For 20 years, the restaurant has dedicated itself to excellence in the culinary arts. Never willing to rest on its laurels, Charlie Trotter's Restaurant is innovative and progressive in the world of food and wine, and has been instrumental in establishing new standards for fine dining. The restaurant is recognized by a variety of prestigious national and international institutions. In 1995, Charlie Trotter's was inducted into the esteemed Relais & Chateaux, and in 1998 was accepted as a member by Traditions & Qualité. It also has received five stars from the Mobil Travel Guide, five diamonds from AAA, and ten James Beard Foundation awards, including "Outstanding Restaurant" (2000) and "Outstanding Chef" (1999). Wine Spectator named it "The Best Restaurant in the World for Wine & Food" (1998) and "America's Best Restaurant" (2000). Chef Trotter is the author of 14 cookbooks and two management books, and is the host of the nationally aired, award-winning PBS cooking series, The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter. In 2000, Chef Trotter opened Trotter's To Go, a take-out gourmet retail shop in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. He also produces a line of organic gourmet products under the Charlie Trotter brand name. In February 2004, Chef Trotter expanded his culinary offerings with the addition of a new restaurant, "C," at One & Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico. Charlie Trotter is collaborating with the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for a much-anticipated restaurant opening later this year. Chicagoans are delighted that Chef Trotter also has plans for a fine-dining restaurant in The Elysian, a luxury hotel project being built in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Beyond his numerous culinary accolades, Chef Trotter is entrenched 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 has hosted three dinners there each week for high school students, and has underwritten annual fundraising dinners for the foundation. To date, the foundation has raised more than $800,000 to award to individuals seeking careers in the culinary arts. Chef Trotter recently received an award at the White House from both President Bush and Colin Powell for his work with his Culinary Foundation, and was named one of only five "heroes" to be honored by Colin Powell's charity, Americas Promise. In 2005, Chef Trotter was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals for his overall service to the community. |