Charlie Trotter through the years

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Charlie Trotter at his restaurant in Chicago in August 2012. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 27, 2012

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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

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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

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The first menu at Charlie Trotter's restaurant, dated August 17, 1987. The menu is framed, and is owned by Trotter colleague Geoff Felsenthal, who collaborated with Trotter on the opening of his restaurant. — Chicago Tribune, Aug. 16, 2012

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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

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Charlie Trotter launched Trotter's To Go, a takeout shop that sells prepared foods as well as retail items, in 2000. — JAMES F. QUINN, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Dec. 11, 2000

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Charlie Trotter talks in 2001 with Lincoln Park High School freshman, from left, Raquia Tyler, 15, Jasmin Salas, 14, and Maybelina Serna, 14,after a lunch prepared by Trotter's chefs. The meal, served to about 560 freshman and about 200 staff members, included Amish Chicken with Parmesan and Serrano Ham and Organic Vegetable Lasagna with Tomato. Trotter was at the school as part of the Principal for a Day program in which about 1,600 area corporate and civic leaders volunteered in Chicago Public Schools. — MICHAEL TERCHA, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, July 1, 2001

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Charlie Trotter poses in a dining room of his restaurant at the time he said he would no longer serve foie gras. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, March 17, 2005

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Chef Sven Mede, second from left, helps chef Homaro Cantu, left, pour liquid nitrogen in the garage behind Charlie Trotter's. Cantu used the liquid nitrogen to create frozen spheres of watermelon saffron in balloons for his "Igloo" of fruit dessert during the "Past, Present and Future" fundraiser for the James Beard Foundation in 2005. At rear, facing camera, are chefs Curtis Duffy, left, and Graham Elliot. — E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2005

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Charlie Trotter (center) thanks the crowd at Charlie Trotter's 20th anniversary dinner on Saturday, October 06, 2007. — Jasmin Shah, Chicago Tribune, Oct. 6, 2007

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Charlie Trotter, left, is joined by renowned chefs Tetsuya Wakuda, back, and Thomas Keller, right, before a dinner marking the 20th anniversary of his restaurant Sunday October 7, 2007. — E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune, Oct. 7, 2007

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Chef Charlie Trotter prepares an ahi tuna hot dog, with all the "fixins", in a kitchen at his restaurant on the near north side, Friday, April 11, 2008. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, April 12, 2008

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Mathias Merges, a chef at Charlie Trotter's, serves plates of food to students at Disney II Elementary Magnet School in Chicago Monday Nov 22, 2010. — Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune, Nov. 22, 2010

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Chef Charlie Trotter smells a glass of wine at Charlie Trotter's. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, Sept. 1, 2011

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Charlie Trotter prepares a plate in the kitchen at Charlie Trotter's on the north side, Thursday, September 1, 2011. Trotter is celebrating 25 years in business. — Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune, Sept. 1, 2011

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Charlie Trotter and his wife, Rochelle Smith, at the Service Club of Chicago Gala on Friday, Nov. 04, 2011, in Chicago. — Shauna Bittle, Chicago Tribune, Nov. 4, 2011

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Charlie Trotter in his office above Charlie Trotter's on Armitage on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in Chicago. Trotter's walls are lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves containing cookbooks as well as biographies and books on philosophy. — Shauna Bittle, Chicago Tribune, Dec. 29, 2011

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Charlie Trotter's wife Rochelle Smith greets Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel before Charlie Trotter's 25th anniversary dinner in Chicago on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012

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Charlie Trotter talks to diners during Charlie Trotter's 25th anniversary dinner in Chicago on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Charlie Trotter straightens his staff as while organizing a curbside greeting for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2012