LINCOLN PARK — It has been a year since groundbreaking Chicago chef Charlie Trotter died, shocking the city and culinary world.
Wednesday night, to mark the one-year anniversary of his death, Emeril Lagasse, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and many of the world's leading chefs are coming together to raise money for Charlie Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation.
"A Toast to Charlie Trotter" will feature Trotter-inspired tasting stations and cocktails at Venue One, 1043 W. Randolph St., with dishes by chefs including Rick Bayless, Graham Elliot, Paul Dobroski, David Bouley and Tony Mantuana, to name a few.
Emanuel is the honorary co-chairman of the event.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the charity that is directed by his widow, Rochelle Trotter.
General admission is $350 and $500 will get you into a VIP reception.
Since Trotter's sudden death a year ago, chefs from around the city have hosted a number of events to honor his legacy and raise money for both his namesake charity and The Trotter Project.
Chef Homaro Cantu of moto in the West Loop started the nonprofit shortly after his death and operate it out of the buildings on Armitage that once were home to Trotter's restaurant.
The Trotter Project is separate from the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation, which has been in existence since 1999.
"[We're] going to align ourselves with grocery stores, churches and schools to help bring top-quality produce to underprivileged communities and food deserts," Cantu told DNAinfo Chicago over the summer.
On Wednesday, The Trotter Project posted a note to its Facebook page remembering Trotter:
"We pause in quiet reflection today as we remember chef Charlie Trotter on the one-year anniversary of his passing. For all those who Charlie inspired, we continue the legacy for an incredible man who gave so much of his generous spirit."
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