Autopsy Concludes Charlie Trotter Died from a Stroke

Chef Charlie Trotter died from a stroke, the Cook County medical examiner has ruled, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Neither drugs nor alcohol were a contributor.

Trotter, whose eponymous Lincoln Park restaurant changed the Chicago culinary scene and helped establish the city as a foodie haven, died Nov. 5. He was 54.

Chicago Magazine calls the self-taught Trotter, "Chicago’s most famous, revered, groundbreaking, and feared chef." 

His restaurant was a pioneer in fine dining in Chicago and won many awards and accolades. According to the restaurant website, it won 11 James Beard Foundation awards, including 'Outstanding Restaurant' in 2000 and 'Outstanding Chef' in 1999. Trotter himself won 'Humanitarian of The Year" award in 2012. The restaurant closed last year.

The restaurant’s website now shows a picture of Trotter with information about how his family would like to honor him. “The family asks in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Charlie Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation. Checks may be mailed to 816 W. Armitage Chicago, IL 60614”