Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne,IN,USA - Sea slugs and rabbit brains.

Those were among the exotic surprises that renowned Chef Charlie Trotter and staff prepared for guests at a "Blessings in a Backpack" fundraiser Tuesday night at Sycamore Hills Golf Club.

At least that's what Trotter promised during a reception before dinner, saying the event organizers had asked him to "go crazy" with the organic menu that featured Indiana poultry. He also promised to be on his best behavior, in defiance of his taskmaster reputation.

Crain's Chicago Business - Chicago, IL, USA - Star chefs Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand, who co-own the four-star Tru restaurant in the Gold Coast, are laying plans to expand in the suburbs and beyond.

Mr. Tramonto and Ms. Gand opened a cluster of restaurants late last year in the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Wheeling. Their new company, Cenitare Restaurants Ltd., is now working with its hotel development partner, Harp Group Inc. of Oakbrook Terrace, to install Tramonto-Gand restaurants in a new Intercontinental to open in Rosemont next year as well as in a Hyatt in Schaumburg now being refurbished.

Harp is investing in hotels as far afield

Crain's Chicago Business - Chicago, IL, USA - There’s no maitre d’ or jacket-required dress code and the tables fold neatly away, but diners can beckon servers at the touch of a button, kick their shoes off and eat a meal prepared by one of Chicago’s top chefs on certain United Airlines flights.

The first meal featuring appetizers and entrees created by Charlie Trotter was served Saturday morning as part of United’s effort to pamper its first and business-class passengers.

The airline announced in January that it would collaborate with Mr. Trotter, who runs the eponymous fine-dining restaurant in Lincoln Park. Since then, Mr. Trotter has worked with Gerry Gulli,