TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE TROTTER
WHEREAS, In His Infinite Wisdom, Almighty God has granted eternal rest at the age of 54 to Chef Charles "Charlie" Trotter, a culinary innovator and proprietor of the landmark Chicago restaurant that bore his name; and
WHEREAS, Chef Trotter grew up in suburban Winnetka and graduated from New Trier High School. He went on to earn a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin— Madison. It was while in college that Chef Trotter discovered his passion for fine cuisine, which led to his self-taught studies in the craft of cooking through reading cookbooks, eating at and studying fine-dining restaurants, and through exhaustive practice. For five years, following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Chef Trotter worked in and studied culinary arts in Chicago, San Francisco, Florida, and in Europe; and
WHEREAS, in 1987, at only 27 years of age, Chef Trotter opened his eponymous restaurant on Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park, Chicago. His innovative and landmark restaurant instantly drew acclaim and praise for its constantly changing and evolving menus prepared from the finest ingredients sourced both locally and from around the world, which was coupled with remarkably thorough and attentive service; and
WHEREAS, Chef Trotter garnered the highest honors and accolades in his highly competitive profession of culinary arts. He was a ten-time winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation award, including "Outstanding Chef in 1999 and "Outstanding Restaurant" in 2000. Chef Trotter's eponymous restaurant was inducted into the esteemed international travel and gourmet guides Relais & Chateaux and Traditions & Qualite. His restaurant also received Five Stars from the Mobil Travel Guide and Five Diamonds from AAA. Wine Spectator also named the restaurant "The Best Restaurant in the World for Wine & Food" in 1998 and "America's Best Restaurant" in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Chef Trotter authored 15 cookbooks, three management books, and was the host of PBS's nationally syndicated and award-winning cooking series The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter, and
WHEREAS, Chef Trotter developed and fostered many philanthropic ties to a number of national and international charities, including his own Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation, established in 1999. Through his Foundation, Chef Trotter hosted three dinners each week for high school students, and he underwrote the Foundation's annual fundraising dinner, which raised millions of dollars over the years to fund scholarships for students seeking careers in the culinary arts; and
WHEREAS, for his extensive philanthropic efforts, Chef Trotter received numerous awards and recognitions, including being honored at the White House by 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, America's Promise. In 2005, Chef Trotter was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals for his lifetime service to his community; and
WHEREAS, Chef Charlie Trotter leaves behind, to celebrate a life well spent, Rochelle Trotter, his wife of three years; and his son Dylan, now therefore
BE IT RESOVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council gathered together this 15th day of January, 2014 AD, do hereby express our sincere sorrow at the passing of Chef Charlie Trotter, a giant of the Chicago culinary community, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and the many persons whose lives he touched.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and given to the family of Chef Charlie Trotter.
MICHELE SMITH Alderman - 43rd Ward
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