I’m so fortunate. Last Saturday I was The Guest Chef for the Day at Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant in Chicago – a unique opportunity to participate in the creation of Charlie’s world class cuisine. The weekend before, the restaurant celebrated its 21st anniversary. This prestigious restaurant is dedicated to excellence in the culinary arts and I was absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the team for the day.
I arrived at 2 PM. The plan was to work in his innovative and progressive kitchen until 9 PM then change out of my chef’s whites and join my family and friends in the dining room for dinner.
The Family Meal: The staff and I enjoyed this delicious fish stew, paprika potatoes, fresh Illinois corn and salad before the shift.
Ready to get cooking, but wait, I am first offered a glass of Champagne…they’re spoiling me! Pierre Peters Brut Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru
I’m hoping I can give you a sense of the experience by sharing photographs of the kitchen and some of the finished plates.
The Busy, Dedicated Staff
Garde Manger: the station where cold dishes are prepared.
Chilled Snow Lake Trout with Smoked Salmon Roe
Sorrel & California Crayfish
Pickled Baby Radish with Chives
Charlie Trotter is clearly passionate about vegetables.
Charlie Trotter is clearly passionate about vegetables.
Building the Dish:
Michigan Heirloom Tomatoes with Fava Beans
Basil Seeds & Chervil
Italian Summer Truffle 🙂
Ossau Iraty with TruffleOssau Iraty cheese from the French Pyrenées is aged for a minimum of ninety days; its fragrance is reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts, and it tastes of the sweet, buttery flavors from superior sheep’s milk.
Braised Short Ribs are Grilled…
Plated…
Served:
Forty Eight Hour Braised Short Rib
with Chive Blossoms & Fermented Black Garlic
Angelica Ice Cream is made with angelica herb from the restaurant’s abundant garden.
Michigan Raspberries & Blackberries
with Angelica Ice Cream & Angle Food Tuile
I am so grateful to the entire staff at Charlie Trotter’s. Everyone was extremely accommodating, friendly, and professional. And to top it all off, my family, friends, and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner later that night.
Thank you everyone for a most extraordinary and memorable day.
Mignardise: small sweet bites served at the end of a meal…
A sweet experience indeed!
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Impressive! Thanks for sharing it with us.
WOW! Thanks so much the pictorial … those dishes had my mouth watering, thanks so much for the great post!
WOW! This is so cool! What an experience. I love the look of all the dishes.
I want that truffle.
Father Adam – They gave me a cookbook too, Charlie Trotter’s Vegetables, maybe we’ll make something from the book for Labor Day?
Hi Mikky – awesome indeed!
Marie – you are cute! I never think of putting me on the food blog, but my sister-in-law took my picture as she dropped me off at the restaurant…so there you go!
Hi Tom – I sure did! It was great!
Hi Darius – I grew up in Chicago, north side, went to Sullivan High School. I live in LA. I visit often as my family still lives there.
Keep me posted on the Tequila Lime Cooler.
Hi Marla – thank you, it sure did. The kitchen was bustling, but extremely professional, not a whole lot of side talk.
I’m with Marie, in that I have been waiting for this post since you told us about it. It looks like it more than lived up to the anticipation. Your photos definitely capture the experience, the only thing missing is the sound of a bustling kitchen, but I think I can faintly hear it way over here.