Beard Honors Charlie Trotter as Humanitarian of the Year

Charlie Trotter will be honored as the James Beard Foundation's 2012 Humanitarian of the Year at the organization's annual James Beard Awards to be held in New York on May 7. Trotter, who announced on New Year's Eve that his iconic restaurant will close later this year, was selected because of his numerous contributions to the culinary world as well as his charitable and philanthropic work over the last 25 years.

Trotter's non-profit Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation has raised more than $3 million since its creation in 1999 to help "promote the enthusiastic quest for education and an interest in cooking and food" to Chicago-area youth. "To be chosen to receive this award from the Foundation is humbling,” Trotter said in a press release. “It’s long been a goal of mine to educate and expose young people to the culinary arts in as many ways possible."
· Charlie Trotter to Close Iconic Restaurant After 25 Years [~EChi~]