Curtis Duffy, the world-renowned chef who has helped elevate Chicago’s dining scene over the past couple of decades, has been named the MenuMasters Innovator.
Duffy is the chef/owner of Ever, a tasting-menu restaurant he opened at the height of the pandemic, in July of 2020, as well as After, a more casual lounge that opened next door a few months later. The restaurant has held two Michelin stars since 2021.
The MenuMasters Awards, hosted and selected by Nation’s Restaurant News and sponsored by Ventura Foods, awards culinary excellence in the foodservice industry. The Innovator award identifies and recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution and impact in the industry through commitment to raise the standard for menu and concept development. Past winners have included Chicago chefs Paul Kahan, Stephanie Izard, and Erick Williams, as well as David Barzelay of Lazy Bear in Chicago, Cleveland-based Jonathon Sawyer, and Meherwan Irani of Asheville, N.C.
“Curtis Duffy has combined determination, hard work, and skill, along with a great deal of grace and personal charm, to create great restaurants,” Nation’s Restaurant News senior food & beverage editor Bret Thorn said. “It’s an honor to present him with this award.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Duffy moved to Chicago shortly after earning an associate’s degree in applied science and started working at the legendary Charlie Trotter’s. Shortly thereafter he joined chef Grant Achatz at Trio in Evanston, Ill., as pastry chef. He was on the opening team of Achatz’s landmark restaurant Alinea, where he was chef de cuisine.
He went on to win accolades, including two Michelin stars, at Avenues at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago, and then opened his own restaurant, Grace to wild acclaim — and three Michelin stars. Duffy and the restaurant were also the subjects of the 2016 documentary “For Grace,” chronicling the creation of the restaurant and the story of his troubled childhood.
Ventura foods’ senior vice president for food innovation and customer experience, Ahmad Popal, praised Duffy for his culinary skill.
“Congratulations to chef Curtis Duffy for being named the 2025 Nation’s Restaurant News MenuMasters Innovator,” he said. “Known for his meticulous craftmanship in the kitchen and boundary-pushing creativity, chef Duffy has redefined modern fine dining through his visionary approach to cuisine, and we are excited to celebrate him at the annual MenuMasters Celebration in Chicago.”
Duffy and the other 2025 MenuMasters winners will be celebrated on May 17 at Morgan MFG in Chicago.
“For more information on the MenuMasters Awards and Celebration visit www.menumasters.com.
