Mike Sheerin Out at Trenchermen, Now Consulting at Parson's Chicken & Fish

One year after spearheading one of the most celebrated openings in town, co-executive chef and co-owner Mike Sheerin has left Trenchermen. His brother and fellow executive chef/owner Pat Sheerin says Mike left for personal reasons and that he's "exploring other options." Mike, former chef de cuisine at Blackbird and a 2010 Food & Wine Best New Chef, is currently consulting at this summer's hotspot, Parson's Chicken & Fish.

"It was extremely stressful getting (Trenchermen) open," Pat Sheerin says. "It took a toll on him."

Pat credits his brother for much of Trenchermen's early success. "His spirit is part of what Trenchermen is all about," Pat continues. "He helped fuel the creativity and create the vision for what Trenchermen is all about."

Mike Sheerin's next move is unknown right now. What is known is that he's currently working with Parson's, a restaurant that will take all the manpower it can find. 700 covers on weekends are sandwiching their way into the red-hot Logan Square chicken and patio spot since it opened in May.

Parson's owner Peter Creig Toalson is ecstatic to have Sheerin. "Given our volume, we were (and still are!) in desperate need of capable, talented chefs and cooks in the kitchen," owner Peter Creig Toalson says. "We're extremely lucky to have someone of Michael's caliber and talent helping us out."

Both Toalson and Pat Sheerin are adamant that Mike Sheerin is not taking Parson's chef Hunter Moore's spot, so it seems likely that he'll be at another restaurant, or open his own, soon. Sheerin started easing out of Trenchermen in May.

Although clearly saddened by his brother's departure, Pat Sheerin says Trenchermen is doing great. "We're in this for the long haul," he says.
· All Mike Sheerin Coverage [-ECHI-]
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· All Parson's Chicken & Fish Coverage [-ECHI-]
[Photo: Trenchermen]