Alinea (restaurant)

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Alinea is a restaurant in Chicago which opened in 2005. In 2006, it was named the best restaurant in America by Gourmet in its 2006 top 50 feature.^{[citation needed]} Its chef / owner, Grant Achatz, is famed for his inventive preparations and deconstructions of classic flavors, as well as his constantly rotating menu.^{[citation needed]} It has included a peanut butter and jelly composed of a single grape, still on the stem, encased in a peanut butter-filled brioche.

[edit] Cancer

Grant Achatz, executive chef of Alinea in Chicago, announced in the summer of 2007 that he is afflicted with Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth that has spread to his lymph nodes. The Chicago Tribune reported that since treatment usually involves chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and possibly surgery to remove afflicted regions, Achatz's salivary glands and ability to taste may be severely compromised.

On December 18, 2007, in a statement released by his publicist, Chef Achatz indicated that he has completed his course of therapy at the University of Chicago Medical Center. In addition, he stated that "Through the use of a new and rigorous chemotherapy and radiation protocol, they were able achieve a full remission while ensuring that the use of invasive surgery on my tongue was not needed."

[edit] Awards

• Top Service Award (Chicago), Zagat Survey, 2006^{[citation needed]}
• Best Restaurant in America, Gourmet Magazine, 2006^{[citation needed]}
• AAA Five Diamond Award, AAA, 2007^{[citation needed]}
• Mobil Five Star Award, Mobil Travel Guide, 2007^{[citation needed]}
• Jean Banchet Award - Best Celebrity Chef (Grant Achatz), 2007^{[citation needed]}
• Jean Banchet Award - Best Sommelier (Craig Sindelar), 2007^{[citation needed]}
• Jean Banchet Award - Best Fine Dining, 2007^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Flickr gallery of a winter 2006 meal at Alinea
• Blog post (with pictures) about a summer 2007 meal at Alinea
• Blog post (with pictures) about a February 2008 meal at Alinea
• Combination Therapy Saves Chef's Tongue from Cancer--University of Chicago Medical Center
• New Yorker article about Achatz's battle with cancer
• Chicago magazine article about Achatz's battle with cancer