Chef Paul Virant has held a special place in the Western Springs culinary world for about 20 years, first with his 19 years of experience at Vie restaurant and more recently with the opening earlier this year of Petite Vie.
And on November 11, Virant uses Petite Vie to host An Homage to Everest: A Tribute to Chef Jean Joho. The sold-out evening is billed as “a love letter to Everest,” featuring Joho himself, as well as a group of chefs who have worked at Everest, a popular Chicago restaurant opened in 1986 and closed at the end of 2022.
Chefs John Hogan, Thierry Tritsch, Mike Sheerin, Pat Sheerin, Josh Johnson, Joel Reno, Joung Sohn, Michael Gorman, Michael Howell and sommelier Alpana Singh are all expected to be in attendance to pay tribute to Joho and Everest.
Virant, who worked with Joho on Everest from 1999 to 2001, said the idea for the tribute began last summer while he and his wife were having dinner with Sheerin, another Everest veteran, and Sheerin’s wife Mira at the St. Regis Hotel in Chicago.
“Chef Joho was working that night and we had a really good experience,” Virant said. “The idea was born there and chef Joho was fully committed. Everest was known for its elaborate tasting menu, which certainly served as inspiration. We wanted an exceptional multi-course meal accompanied by incredible wines.
Being able to get the list of star chefs who worked at Everest was “the most important thing,” Virant said.
“Each of these chefs has an incredible pedigree and they are doing great things,” he said. “In our own way, we all contributed to the success of Everest. Some of them I’ve worked with, some of them I haven’t, but they’re my peers – people I know and respect.
And Virant has the ultimate respect for Joho.
“He had the extraordinary ability to really pay attention to all the details, from the biggest details to the tiniest details,” Virant said.
“His attention to detail inspires me. It can be demanding, but it shows how much he cares about the menu, the experience and the people who make his dream come true.
Virant said he reconnected with Joho and other Everest alumni in 2017, when Everest turned 30 and celebrated by hosting alumni parties.
“It gave me a greater appreciation for him and what he had accomplished in our industry,” Virant said. “He demanded excellence and he certainly delivered excellence. »
Besides, the time seemed right.
“When I think about sitting down for a large, multi-course meal, I just think fall and winter are the best time,” Virant said. “Nov. 11 worked for everyone, so that’s where we landed.
Virant said Joho was very involved in choosing the menu for the tribute meal.
“He wanted to have some of his signature dishes: Salmon Soufflé, Lobster Gewürztraminer, Duck, Crépinettes,” Virant explained. “These are all iconic dishes that were on the Everest menu at one time or another. Every aspect of our menu was inspired by the dishes we prepared on Everest.
The other chefs who will attend this tribute are happy to be part of it.
“We were all very excited about the idea,” Tritsch said. “I hope this brings back some great and fun memories!”
Sheerin said it meant a lot to him to attend the event.
“It’s been almost 30 years since I first walked into Everest’s kitchen as a student,” he said. “Seeing everyone’s growth while having the chance to maintain a relationship with (Joho) and my colleagues further strengthens my love for this industry.”
Joho, the guest of honor, said it was a true honor to see so many of the people he has mentored and worked with over the years come together to create the “beautiful meal” for the event.
“Seeing them bring their own vision to life reminds me how lucky I have been to be part of such a vibrant culinary scene, especially at Everest, for 35 years,” Joho said. (It) is not only a celebration of my journey, but also theirs, and I am deeply grateful to have played a small part in their growth. Seeing them perpetuate our shared passion is the most meaningful recognition I could ask for.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance journalist for Pioneer Press.
