Curtis Duffy
Curtis Duffy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Newark, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Ever, Grace |
Curtis Duffy is a prominent American chef and restaurateur, renowned for his Chicago establishments Ever and Grace. His achievements include receiving multiple Michelin stars as well as a prestigious James Beard Award.
Early life and education
Born in 1975 in Newark, Ohio to parents Robert and Jan Duffy, Duffy spent his early years in Colorado Springs, Colorado until the age of 12, after which he relocated to Johnstown, Ohio. At 19, he endured a significant personal tragedy when his estranged father was involved in a murder-suicide in 1994.
Professional career
Duffy’s culinary journey commenced in 2000 under the mentorship of chef Charlie Trotter in Chicago. In 2003, he took on the role of pastry chef alongside Grant Achatz at Trio in Evanston, Illinois, before joining Achatz again as Chef de cuisine at Alinea in Chicago in 2005. By 2009, he had advanced to head chef at Avenues, located within the Peninsula Hotel Chicago, where he earned two Michelin stars by 2010.
Together with Michael Muser, Duffy launched Grace in Chicago’s West Loop in December 2012. The restaurant was honored as the world’s best by the Robb Report in 2013 and sustained three Michelin stars for four straight years starting from 2015. Grace ceased operations in December 2017.
In July 2020, Duffy and Muser debuted Ever, which garnered two Michelin stars each year from 2021 through 2023. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Duffy initiated Reve Burger, a virtual fast-food venture that began in December 2020 but closed by July 2022. Additionally, he opened After lounge in 2022, earning recognition from Esquire as one of America’s Best Bars in 2023.
In media
Duffy appeared as a judge on the Chicago Restaurant Pastry Competition reality series for four seasons between 2011 and 2014. His professional ascent to becoming a three-Michelin-star chef is documented in the 2015 Netflix film For Grace. In 2018, he featured as a guest judge on the finale of Top Chef: Colorado. Later, he participated in Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend in 2022 and served as a judge on Season 21 of Top Chef. Notably, season 2, episode 7 of The Bear was filmed inside Ever in 2023, showcasing dishes crafted by Duffy. The season 3 finale of The Bear also took place at Ever in 2024.
Personal life
Duffy is married to Jennifer Duffy and is a father to two daughters as well as two stepchildren.
Awards and accolades
In 2016, Curtis Duffy was honored as Best Chef, Great Lakes by the James Beard Foundation. That same year, he gained induction into the Disciples d'Escoffier for his outstanding culinary skill and leadership.