MEDIA UPDATE

FOR: BON APPÉTIT PRESENTS GOURMET 2014 Facebook.com/ChicagoGourmet @Chicago_Gourmet #Chicago_Gourmet Chicago Gourmet Vimeo Channel

CONTACT: IMR Nick Urig | Brenna O’Leary [email protected] | [email protected] (312) 878-1222 ______

REFLECTIONS ON A CULINARY LEGEND: A TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE TROTTER

On Saturday, September 27, Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet hosted A Tribute to Charlie Trotter, presented by American Express® at the magnificent Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. With 190 guests joining in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, the evening featured a unique compilation from the world’s finest chefs and sommeliers – including many of Chef Trotter’s protégés and dearest friends. Together, they paid homage to flavors, ingredients and techniques celebrated by the culinary icon.

The dinner featured some of the world’s most successful and celebrated chefs and sommeliers, each of whom expressed deep gratitude in contributing to this once-in-a-lifetime event. The cocktail reception and five-course meal was created by:

Sergi Arola, Sergi Arola Gastro Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill/Topolobampo/XOCO Jake Bickelhaupt/42 Grams Della Gossett, Spago Thomas Lents, Matthias Merges, Yusho/A10 Masaharu Morimoto, Japonais by Morimoto

The esteemed culinary illuminati delivered an unmatched culinary experience paired with premium selections from the Terlato Wines portfolio, including varietals admired by Chef Trotter. Master Sommeliers Serafin Alvarado, Alpana Singh, Joe Spellman and Larry Stone – who all had the extraordinary opportunity to work with or know Chef Trotter – poured throughout the evening.

Rochelle Trotter led the evening’s reflection, sharing memories and standout stories on her husband’s career with attendees throughout the meal, and introduced each chef and sommelier to discuss their course and inspiration.

The evening benefited Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that, since 1999, has worked with Chicago-area youth to promote the enthusiastic quest for education and an interest in cooking and food. A total of $30,000 was raised for the Foundation.

The evening’s full menu may be viewed here.

“On behalf of Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation Board we are honored and grateful to have been chosen as the recipient of the Chicago Gourmet’s first Tribute Dinner,” said Rochelle Trotter, wife of Charlie Trotter and Director of the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation. “I know Charlie was smiling down on the evening. It was so wonderful to see so many long time Charlie Trotter supporters.”

“Chef Trotter placed Chicago at the vanguard of the culinary world, training many of the world’s finest chefs and industry leaders – inspiring everyone he touched along the way. It was only fitting that we paid homage to his many contributions during Chicago Gourmet weekend,” said Restaurant Association President & CEO Sam Toia. “We couldn’t have envisioned a more exceptional group to present a tribute dinner that both champions and propels his legacy.”

A Tribute to Charlie Trotter was presented by American Express and sponsors included Chicago Gourmet, Illinois Restaurant Association, Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois, Terlato Wines, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago and American Airlines.

The event media partner was CS and in-kind product sponsors included Supreme Lobster, Mariano’s, Allen Brothers Steaks, Chefs’ Warehouse and Vosges Haut-Chocolate.

ABOUT CHARLIE TROTTER’S EDUCATION FOUNDATION Established by Chef Charlie Trotter in 1999, the goals of the Foundation are to educate and expose youth to the great culinary arts in as many ways as possible. The Foundation’s main priority is to award need based scholarship to students who are seeking careers in the culinary arts. Additionally, the Foundation endeavors to encourage the enthusiastic pursuit of excellence in youth by exposing them to the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation Excellence Program whereby students are introduced to Charlie Trotter’s philosophical principals regarding cuisine, service, wine and ambience via a host of interactive expert driven learning experiences. To get more information and learn how to get more involved please visit www.charlietrottersculinaryeducationfoundation.org.

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

ABOUT BON APPÉTIT Food is the new fashion, and the new Bon Appétit is the food lover’s style guide. The magazine, and its companion website, deliver not just recipes, tips and techniques, but a world of lush travel, high-gloss entertaining and up-to-the-minute restaurant coverage. It’s a visually arresting publication, driven by excellent photography, clean graphics, and headlines that pop. And notable faces too: Each issue features of-the-moment tastemakers, from chefs and restaurateurs to fashion designers and celebrities. All of these elements combine to make Bon Appétit the largest epicurean magazine in America with the most affluent readership.

Bon Appétit is published by Condé Nast, a division of Advance Publications, which operates in 25 countries. In the United States, Condé Nast publishes eighteen consumer magazines, two trade publications and twenty-seven websites that garner international acclaim and unparalleled consumer engagement. Please visit http://www.bonappetit.com.

ABOUT CHICAGO GOURMET: Now in its seventh year, Chicago Gourmet, the nation’s premier culinary experience aimed at promoting Chicago’s world-class culinary community, will take place September 26-28, 2014. It was created by the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) and the Anton Family Foundation to celebrate and honor both Chicago’s culinary achievements and the creative vision of the chefs, Master Sommeliers, and wine-, spirit-, and beer-makers who participate. It also spotlights Chicago as an international culinary destination via its unparalleled epicurean talent. For more information, please visit www.chicagogourmet.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. For more information, visit www.illinoisrestaurants.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT SOUTHERN WINE & SPIRITS Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, , New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. In addition, Southern has announced a pending strategic arrangement with Glazer’s Family of Companies in the center of the country—resulting in an incremental 8 markets to Southern’s existing footprint. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com.

ABOUT TERLATO WINES Terlato Wines has a global portfolio of more than 70 brands from world class wine producers in more than a dozen countries and controls a 20 percent market share of wines $20 and up in the U.S. Terlato Wines garners more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world and is a division of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company comprising several small businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family for four generations, the Group also includes the family’s winery investments and partnerships in some of the world’s most esteemed wine regions including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; the Rhône Valley in France; and Montalcino, Italy.

ABOUT TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER® CHICAGO Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, located in the heart of the city at 401 N. Wabash Avenue, welcomed its first hotel guests in January 2008. The hotel, comprising floors 14-27 of a 92-story residential tower developed by the Trump Organization, features 339 luxuriously appointed guestrooms including one-, two- and three-bedroom suites; Sixteen, the two-star Michelin-rated restaurant featuring the modern American cuisine of Executive Chef Thomas Lents; The Spa at Trump® with 53 specially appointed spa guest rooms; the Trump Health Club; Rebar, a chic cocktail lounge; The Terrace at Trump and more. Designed by the noted architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with interiors by McGinley Design, Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is a stunning addition to Chicago’s distinguished skyline. The hotel and restaurant were each awarded five stars by the esteemed Forbes Travel Guide in 2014. The property has also been recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the top 5 hotels for business travelers in the "World's Best Awards" 2012 and named one of the “World’s Best Hotels” for 2013. For room and event reservations at Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, call (312) 588-8000, (877) 458-TRUMP (7867). Click here to follow the hotel on Twitter. Click here to find the property on Facebook.

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