Charlie Trotter
Charlie Trotter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 September 1959 Wilmette, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | 5 November 2013 (aged 54) |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Years active | 1982–2013 |
| Known for | Charlie Trotter's restaurant |
Charlie Trotter (September 8, 1959 – November 5, 2013) was a renowned American chef and restaurateur. His premier establishment, Charlie Trotter's, was located in Chicago and operated from 1987 until its closure in 2012.
Early life and education
Born in Wilmette, Illinois, Trotter completed his high school education at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. He initially enrolled at Southern Illinois University from 1977 to 1979 before transferring to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in political science. His culinary career commenced in 1982.
Career
Following graduation, Trotter gained experience and training in various locations including Chicago, San Francisco—where he attended the California Culinary Academy—Florida, and Europe. He launched his first restaurant in Chicago alongside his father, Bob Trotter, who was a business partner.
In 1999, Trotter became the host of the PBS cooking series The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter, which highlighted his culinary creations and methods. Over his career, he published fourteen cookbooks as well as three books focused on management and introduced a line of organic and natural gourmet products available nationwide.
He established the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation and was honored with the International Association of Culinary Professionals' Humanitarian of the Year award in 2005. His Excellence Program provided public high school students with opportunities to experience fine dining while learning about culinary arts and food preparation.
Trotter was noted for his ethical convictions; in 2002, he removed foie gras from his menu due to ethical concerns but publicly distanced himself from the animal rights organization Farm Sanctuary, criticizing their approach as uncivilized.
He appeared briefly in the 1997 movie My Best Friend's Wedding, playing a humorous role as a demanding chef stereotype.
Restaurants
- Charlie Trotter's opened its doors in Chicago in 1987. By 2007, it was ranked as the 30th best restaurant worldwide by Restaurant Magazine and fifth-best within the United States. The establishment earned two Michelin stars in 2010 and retained them through 2011. The restaurant closed in August 2012 when Trotter opted to focus on travel and further education.
- Trotter also operated Trotter's To Go, a gourmet delicatessen and catering business located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood; this venue ceased operations in July 2012.
- In 2008, he inaugurated Restaurant Charlie in Las Vegas, which received one Michelin star and won the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2009. The location featured Bar Charlie, an exclusive bar with views into the kitchen, which closed its doors in March 2010.
- In 2004, Trotter opened C, a seafood-focused restaurant situated in Los Cabos, Mexico; it remained open until November 2008.
- Plans to open a venue at One Madison Park in New York City were abandoned due to complications arising from the foreclosure crisis.
- In 2014, Trotter’s son Dylan along with his mother Dona-Lee founded the nonprofit organization known as the Trotter Project within the original Chicago restaurant space. As of 2024, this initiative is dedicated to "nourishing dreams, transforming lives, and empowering communities through food, education, and community programs."
Lawsuits
Throughout his career, Trotter encountered multiple legal challenges, including two class-action lawsuits filed in 2003 relating to employee compensation and labor law infractions affecting both service personnel and kitchen staff. The first lawsuit was initiated by former waiter Kurt Sorensen who claimed that waitstaff wages were derived from a tip pool system that resulted in pay below minimum wage; this case was resolved through an out-of-court settlement. The second suit was brought by ex-cook Beverly Kim alleging unpaid overtime for kitchen employees; it concluded with a settlement around $700,000 in 2005, although approximately $300,000 was disbursed because many employees returned their settlement shares.
In 2013, wine collectors Bekim and Ilir Frrokaj filed suit against Trotter over the sale of an allegedly counterfeit bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti priced at $46,000; Trotter denied any misconduct. The bottle was declared counterfeit when the collectors sought insurance coverage for it.
Personal life
In 1986, Trotter wed Lisa Ehrlich, who played a significant role in the establishment of his restaurant by overseeing the dining room and managing the wine program until their separation in 1990. His second marriage to Lynn Thomas resulted in the birth of their son, Dylan, in 1991. Later, in February 2010, Trotter married Rochelle Smith, who eventually took on the role of his publicist.
A documentary chronicling his journey, titled Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter, premiered in the United States in 2021 and was subsequently released in the United Kingdom.
Death and legacy
On November 5, 2013, Trotter was discovered unconscious by his son Dylan at their residence in Lincoln Park and was later declared deceased at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a result of a stroke. Graham Elliot, a former protégé, referred to Trotter as a "mentor, trailblazer, philosopher, artist, teacher [and] leader." The enduring impact of Trotter’s mentorship continues through The Trotter Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by family members, colleagues, and friends including Homaro Cantu, his mother Dona-Lee, sister Anne, brothers Scott and Tom, along with his son Dylan.
Published works
- Charlie Trotter's (1994)
- Charlie Trotter's Vegetables (1996)
- Charlie Trotter's Seafood (1997)
- Gourmet Cooking for Dummies (1997)
- Charlie Trotter's Desserts (1998)
- The Kitchen Sessions With Charlie Trotter (1999)
- Charlie Trotter Cooks at Home (2000)
- Charlie Trotter's Meat and Game (2001)
- Workin' More Kitchen Sessions With Charlie Trotter (2004)
- Homecooking with Charlie Trotter (2009)
- Coauthored
- Paul Clarke and Charlie Trotter. Lessons in Excellence from Charlie Trotter (1999)
- Edmund Lawler and Charlie Trotter. Lessons in Service from Charlie Trotter (2001)
- Charlie Trotter and Roxanne Klein. Raw (2003)
- Charlie Trotter, Wareing, Hill, and Hall. Knife Skills in the Kitchen (2008)
Awards and honors
- Culinary Hall of Fame
Recipient of The Best Restaurant in the World for Wine and Food award in 1998 Holder of The Grand Award from 1993 through 2012
- Wine Enthusiast
Recognized among America’s Best Wine-Driven Restaurants in 2006
- International Food Manufacturers Association
Awarded both Silver Plate and Gold Plate Awards in 2008
- The James Beard Foundation
Outstanding Restaurant Award in 2000 Outstanding Chef Award received in 1999 Best National Television Cooking Show for "The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter" in 2000 Outstanding Service Award in 2002 Best Food Photography for Meat & Game (2003) and Desserts (1999) Listed in Who's Who in Food & Beverage in 1996 Outstanding Wine Service Award earned in 1993 Best Chef Midwest Award granted in 1992 Humanitarian of the Year Award conferred in 2012
- Nation's Restaurant News
Included among the 50 Power Players in 2000 Inducted into Fine Dining Hall of Fame by peers in 1991
- Chicago Tribune
Achieved Four Stars—the highest possible rating
- Crain's Chicago Business
Earned Four Forks—the top rating available