LINCOLN PARK — Next!
Just two months after opening, Intro, the ever-evolving restaurant concept by Rich Melman, is preparing to pass the baton to its next chef.
The restaurant announced the next chef-in-residence to succeed CJ Jacobson will be Erik Anderson.
Anderson is set to return to Chicago, his hometown, after a stint in Nashville where he co-helmed the kitchen at The Catbird Seat and received numerous awards including being named one of GQ's "Top Ten Best New Restaurants in America."
Anderson will take over at Intro May 14.
"He's a chef's chef, a craftsman, a true believer," said Matthew Kirkley, a chef and partner at Intro. "It's the cooking itself that motivates and drives him and I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll be cooking at Intro."
Jacobson was the first chef at Intro and his restaurant received glowing reviews from a number of outlets, including the Chicago Reader and Tribune.
Jacobson's future plans are unknown, but the new Intro chef already has plans to open a modern French restaurant in Minneapolis after his time at Intro.
Anderson, who has appeared on PBS's "The Mind of a Chef" and Vice's "Munchies" will open Brut in Minneapolis in the fall.
The move fits perfectly with Melman's goal of introducing Chicago to new talent and giving chefs a crash course on running their businesses.
"We see Intro as a true partnership between Lettuce [Entertain You] and the chef-in-residence," Melman said.
Reservations for the second Intro concept will be available through the online ticketing platform Tock at IntroChicago.com and will range from $75 to $95 per person excluding tax and tip.
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