Photos of Charlie Trotter and his restaurant since 1987
Charlie Trotter at his restaurant in Chicago in August 2012. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 27, 2012
From left, Mark Rosenstein, Bradley Ogden, Cory Ogden, Norman Van Aken and Charlie Trotter at the opening of Charlie Trotter's restaurant on August 31, 1987. — Gerald West, Aug. 27, 2012
From left, Rick Bayless, Dean Bayless, Geoff Felsenthal, Cindy Jarvis and David Jarvis at the opening of Charlie Trotter's restaurant on August 31, 1987. — Gerald West, Aug. 27, 2012
The first menu at
By 2000, the new The Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation had raised more than $100,000 to award scholarships to culinary arts students. Also served under the Foundation's umbrella are Chicago-area high school students who arrive twice a week for meals, interviews with the staff, and mini-lessons in food, organic farming and etiquette. The aim is to demonstrate the pleasures of the table as well as the commitment needed to run a successful business. — James Quinn, Chicago Tribune, Oct. 13, 2000
Chef Sven Mede, second from left, helps chef Homaro Cantu, left, pour liquid nitrogen in the garage behind
Chef
Mathias Merges, a chef at
Chef Charlie Trotter smells a glass of wine at Charlie Trotter's. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, Sept. 1, 2011
Charlie Trotter and guest chef Tetsuya Wakuda discuss Wakuda's Tian of Queensland steamed spanner crab dish during Charlie Trotter's 25th anniversary dinner. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012
Charlie Trotter watches as guest chefs Tetsuya Wakuda and Sean Brock discuss a dish during Trotter's 25th anniversary dinner. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012
Charlie Trotter poses with the evening's chefs David Myers,from left, Sean Brock, Maxime Bilet, Charlie Trotter, Nathan Myhrvold, Michael Rotondo and Tetsuya Wakuda before Trotter's 25th anniversary dinner. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012
Charlie Trotter waits with his staff before a curbside greeting for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel before Charlie Trotter's 25th anniversary dinner. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012
Charlie Trotter straightens his staff as while organizing a curbside greeting for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012