Remembering Charlie Trotter at Chicago Gourmet

The past two years have been full of changes, but around this time of year it’s always nice to remember Charles with close friends, family and ongoing supporters – like Emeril. Chef Emeril Lagasse is a dear friend of our family’s, and I can’t wait for him to premiere his upcoming cookbook, Essential Emeril: Favorite Recipes and Hard-Won Wisdom from My life in the Kitchen, which is dedicated to Charles, at this year’s A Toast to Charlie Trotter event. This fundraiser, held on Friday, September 25 in partnership with Chicago Gourmet, will support Charles’ mission of providing funds to future generations of culinary leaders by directly benefiting Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation. At the event, Emeril will serve up a delicious four-course meal with wine pairings, while sharing some of his favorite memories of Charles’ both in and out of the kitchen and how those memories influenced each heartfelt dish he’ll be serving.

If you’re a lover of food, I encourage you to join us at this wonderful event to remember Charles’ and meet a culinary great. Raffle tickets will also be available on-site for a variety of Stay, Shop, Eat and Charlie Trotter inspired offerings in partnership with Waldorf Astoria Chicago, RL Restaurant, Exhale Spa, Dolce Italian, Trenchermen, Saks Fifth Avenue and more.

A Toast to Charlie Trotter is the sole large-scale fundraising event for Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation in 2015. Tickets are $175 each (excluding tax and gratuity) and all proceeds will benefit the foundation. Purchase yours online.

Hope to see you there!

-Rochelle Trotter