Paul Virant

Paul Virant (born February 25, 1970) is the chef and owner of Vie in Western Springs, Illinois, Vistro Prime in Hinsdale, Illinois, and Gaijin in Chicago, Illinois. His contributions to cooking include introducing inventive canning and preservation recipes to the restaurant industry, which culminated into the release of his cookbook, The Preservation Kitchen: The Craft of Making and Cooking with Pickles, Preserves, and Aigre-doux (co-written with Kate Leahy and photographed by Jeff Kauck).[1]

Paul Virant
Born (1970-02-25) February 25, 1970
EducationCulinary Institute of America
SpouseJennifer Virant
Children
  • Lincoln Virant
  • Zane Virant
Culinary career
Cooking styleContemporary American Cuisine
Current restaurant(s)

Early life

Paul Virant's philosophy of year-round, seasonal eating stems from his childhood growing up outside of St. Louis, Missouri, on a farm. Family trips to the farmers markets, gardening, cooking and preserving were a significant part of his family's activities. These experiences helped him develop his reverence for local ingredients, an appreciation towards gastronomy and the time-honored practice of canning and preserving.[2][1]

Career

After graduating with a degree in nutrition from West Virginia Wesleyan College, he enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York. Following culinary school, he went on to further refine his skills at March in New York City where he worked with chefs Wayne Nish and Hilary Gregg. After two years, chef Virant moved to Chicago where he worked at such restaurants as Charlie Trotter’s, Ambria, Everest and Blackbird.[3]

In 2004, he opened Vie in a suburb of Chicago.[4][5] With a focus on house-made pickles and preserves, chef Virant's contemporary American cuisine at Vie has garnered regional and national attention, including a three-star review by Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune and a Michelin Star.[6] In 2011, he became partner and executive chef of Boka Restaurant Group's Perennial Virant (now closed) and helped open The J. Parker, the rooftop lounge and bar located at Hotel Lincoln in Chicago, the following year.[7] Virant opened Vistro in Hinsdale, Illinois,[8] in 2014. Vistro focuses on approachable, seasonal food and drinks, and serves as a staple in the community for friends and families.[9]

In 2017, Virant launched Jar Sessions,[10] a locally produced, small-batch line of pickled and preserved products. He collaborated with Midwest farmers to create the Jar Sessions collection of farm-to-fork products.[11]

In 2019, Virant opened Gaijin in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, which focuses on Japanese okonomiyaki.[12]

Virant is an avid supporter of local, family farms and frequents the Green City Market,[13] Chicago's outdoor farmers market providing local, sustainably grown food with a mission to connect farmers and local producers directly with chefs and the community.[14] He also serves on SAVEUR's chef advisory board as a SAVEUR Tastemaker™.[15]

Participation in Iron Chef America

Paul Virant competed in season seven of Iron Chef America against Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Virant lost to Morimoto with a final score of 51–50. The secret ingredient was pheasant.

Books

The Preservation Kitchen: The Craft of Making and Cooking with Pickles, Preserves, and Aigre-doux by Paul Virant with Kate Leahy. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.[16]

Awards

References
  1. "The Preservation Kitchen".RandomHouse.com. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  2. Fauchald, Nick (July 2008).“Independence Day on the Farm”. Food & Wine. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  3. "Best New Chefs". Food & Wine. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  4. "Vie Restaurant | Fine Dining in Western Springs by Paul Virant". Vie Restaurant | Fine Dining in Western Springs by Paul Virant.
  5. 5 Questions: Paul Virant. Andrew Zimmern.com. Jan. 30, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  6. "Michelin Stars Shine on Chicago for 2012". PRNewswire.com (Nov. 15, 2011). Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  7. Vettel, Phil. "Go Alfresco." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  8. "Vistro Restaurant | Downtown Hinsdale". Vistro Restaurant | Downtown Hinsdale.
  9. "About". PAUL VIRANT. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
  10. "Jar Sessions | By Paul Virant". Jar Sessions | By Paul Virant.
  11. "OUR STORY". Jar Sessions | By Paul Virant. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
  12. Selvam, Ashok (2019-11-11). "Chicago's First Restaurant Dedicated to Japanese Okonomiyaki Opens in West Loop". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  13. “Paul Virant, Executive Chef”. Green City Market. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  14. “Mission and Background”. Green City Market. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  15. "SAVEUR Tastemakers". SAVEUR.com. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  16. The Preservation Kitchen by Paul Virant, Kate Leahy | PenguinRandomHouse.com.
  17. "Michelin Stars Shine on Chicago for 2012". PRNewswire.com. Nov. 15, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  18. "5 Questions: Paul Virant". Andrew Zimmern.com. Jan. 30, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  19. "2013 JBF Award Nominees". Jamesbeard.org. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  20. "2013 James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists". Jamesbeard.org. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  21. "2011 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominees Announced". Jamesbeard.org. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  22. "Rising Stars". StarChefs.com. Nov. 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
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