Charlie Trotter Day Celebrates His Legacy
By Melissa McEwen in Food on Aug 15, 2014 6:00PM
" The exclusive red carpet screening of DreamWorks Pictures', "The Hundred Foot Journey," with some of Chicago's top culinary talent. Hosted by The Trotter Project in collaboration with Common Threads and Pilot Light" (Left to right : Giuseppe Tentori, Art Smith, Carrie Nahabedian, Homaro Cantu, Matthias Merges, Bill Kim and Robert Houde via Facebook)
This weekend, chefs across Chicago are celebrating the legacy of the late chef Charlie Trotter with tribute dishes for Charlie Trotter Day Sunday, Aug. 17, the anniversary of his restaurant’s opening in 1987.
Proceeds from the dishes will benefit The Trotter Project, which aims to “teach the principles inspired and instilled in them by Chef Charlie Trotter” through culinary and educational programs, services and events." The project was formed by some of Trotter’s most illustrious alumni, who went on to open some of Chicago’s top restaurants. Homaro Cantu of Moto, Chairman of the Board, says “Charlie Trotter’s turned out memorable meals and experiences for thousands of customers and launched the careers of countless, incredible chefs.”
Some selections include the Peaches & Cream dessert at Ruxbin (851 N. Ashland Ave.), inspired by Trotter’s goat cheese cream, fig, and warm peach turnover recipe. The Ruxbin variant tops the goat cheese with butter cookie crumbles, roasted peaches, pickled peach syrup and candied fennel. At Vera (1023 W. Lake St.) they’ll be serving Chef Trotter's clear gazpacho and at Club Lago (331 W. Superior St.) they’ll have thyme-rubbed flank steak in a shallot vinaigrette towered on top a sauteed polenta cake with baby kale and soft goat cheese from The Kitchen Sessions. A full list of the restaurants participating is available on Chicago Food Snob. Follow the project on Facebook or Twitter to learn more about what each restaurant is offering.
More Trotter-inspired dishes from alumni across the country will be available at Savour, an event that kicks off The Windy City Wine Festival on Sept. 4. Tickets are $150.