Charlie Trotter Eulogized by Family, Friends and Chefs

Charlie Trotter, the groundbreaking chef who passed away last Tuesday, was memorialized today at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago by over a thousand family members, friends and colleagues. Many chefs who worked for Trotter at his namesake restaurant wore their chef's coats to honor him.

Crain's Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times report that Trotter's family was represented by his wife, Rochelle Trotter, her father, Rev. Robert Smith, his mother, Dona-Lee Trotter and his sister, Anne Trotter Hinkamp. Also in attendance were many notable names from the restaurant world including Rick Bayless, Bill Kim, Gale Gand, Giuseppe Tentori, Alpana Singh, Graham Elliot, Rick Tramonto, Daniel Boulud, Takashi Yagihashi, Michael Kornick, Art Smith, Carrie Nahabedian, Emeril Lagasse and Jean Joho. Trotter's mentor, Norman Van Aken, as well as two men who ran his kitchen for many years, Matthias Merges and Guillermo Tellez were seated for the memorial as well.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who graduated from New Trier High School in suburban Winnetka the same year as Trotter, was also in attendance. From Crain's Chicago Business: "We both are known (for) having had styles that are slightly, and I say slightly, can be called in-your-face. There must have been something in the water," Mayor Emanuel said.

Dona-Lee Trotter told the Chicago Tribune that her son will be cremated and there will not be a separate funeral. An autopsy on the cause of Trotter's death was inconclusive. Results from additional tests will not be revealed until possibly two months from now.

· 'He had confidence in our abilities even if we ourselves weren't sure': Trotter memorialized [Crain's]
· Memorial service today for famed chef Charlie Trotter [Chicago Tribune]
· Charlie Trotter 'changed the landscape' for friends, food world [Chicago Sun-Times]
· All Charlie Trotter Coverage [~ECHI~]
[Photo: Charlie Trotter]