Ex-Longman & Eagle Chef Jared Wentworth Jumps To Heisler Hospitality

Last month, Michelin-starred chef Jared Wentworth announced he was relinquishing his duties over at Dusek’s in Pilsen and Saint Lou’s Assembly/MONEYGUN in the West Loop. The move was to free up time for Wentworth—the founding chef at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square—to take on other projects. The first of those projects is at another Chicago restaurant juggernaut, Heisler Hospitality, where Wentworth will serve as culinary director.

Wentworth’s first task is to revamp Heisler’s Wicker Park restaurant, Trenchermen, according to a news release and the Tribune. Last month, Trenchermen chef Pat Sheerin left the restaurant. Heisler announced they would close the spot and reopen the Eater Chicago 38 stalwart in early 2017 under a new name: Trench. The reopening could happen later this month or in early February.

Trench will try to shed any illusions of a gastropub, as Wentworth’s aiming for a more of a neighborhood restaurant. While he won’t offer any of the same items as Longman & Eagle did when it opened back in 2010, he’s aiming to incorporate the same philosophy by cooking comfort foods with high-caliber ingredients.

Heisler is behind popular restaurants and bars including Bad Hunter in the West Loop and Sportsman’s Club in West Town. Despite the new job, Wentworth remains a partner at 16” on Center. The new chefs at 16” restaurants remain under Wentworth’s watch, according to a restaurant group rep.

In a corresponding move, 16” on Center has named Andrew Graves as executive chef at The Promontory in Hyde Park. Graves, an Alinea alum, comes over from Terra & Vine. That’s former Check, Please! host Alpana Singh’s Evanston restaurant. Graves was named chef there in June 2016.