Nahabedian Joins Chefs Hall of Fame Tonight

One of the high points of last year's Chicago Gourmet festival was listening to Carrie Nahabedian and legendary chef Norman Van Aken discuss, among other things, their time at the former Sinclair's in Lake Forest. Van Aken was the Executive Chef and his kitchen staff included Suzy Crofton, Charlie Trotter and Nahabedian. All would go on to bigger and brighter heights.

Nahabedian's resume lists a litany of firsts. She was the first female chef to be hired at Le Francais and helped develop the menu for Seasons restaurant as Executive Sous Chef at the Four Seasons. Tonight, Nahabedian joins Trotter, Rick Bayless and Heaven on Seven's Jimmy Bannos in the Chicago Culinary Museum's Chefs Hall of Fame with a dinner and ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago. Proceeds for the $175-per-plate dinner will benefit the not-yet-corporeal Culinary Museum. His Elective Majesty has also designated today as "Carrie Nahabedian Day."