• 1/30/2008
  • Chicago, IL
  • Regine Schlesinger
  • WBBMNewsRadio (www.wbbn780.com)

A renowned Chicago chef says he has many reasons to celebrate these days. WBBM’s Regine Schlesinger explains.

Just this week, Alinea, the Lincoln Park restaurant owned by chef Grant Achatz, once again won the coveted 5-star rating from Mobil Travel guide, one of only two chicago restaurants to get it. The other is Charlie Trotter’s.

But for Achatz an even bigger triumph is his victory over a form of cancer that threatened his life and his career.

Just 6 months ago he was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer of the tongue that could have cost him his taste buds.

But, his doctors at the University of Chicago found another way to treat him using chemotherapy and radiation instead of surgery. Now, after completing his treatments in November, he’s cancer free.

Once again, cooking and supervising his kitchen staff.

He says he’s grateful and feels blessed. Cooking he says, is his life. In his words, “It’s who I am.”