Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter

9/10 stars.

* My biases are (in no particular order): I am nearly lifelong Illinoisian. I have not prior nor since ESPN 30 for 30 "The Last Dance" view Michael Jordan negatively: i.e. Absolute excellence I know comes at a price and many will frown on it. I dined once at Charlie Trotter in Chicago with my father. I consider it one of my best meals. In 2005 it was nearly $500 for degustation menu x2 and wine pairing x1 (for oenophile Dad) and 15% tip. I am a budding cook.

* My wife was interested during this entire documentary.

* There is often a price seeking absolute excellence.

* There were great interviews with his 1st wife, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Grant Achatz ("Alinea" executive chef and co-owner) and Carrie Nahabedian. Conspicuously absent were interviews with his 2nd wife and 3rd wife/widow.

* I was aware of how influential Charlie Trotter was in culinary world as described by (R. I. P.) Anthony Bourdain and other interviewees. E.g. Degustation menu in USA, vegetarian degustation menu in USA, kitchen table, "food porn" (e.g. Closeup) pictures in cookbook, changing menus by season.

* Movie is also somewhat love letter to city of Chicago with some great cinematography of various Chicago areas filmed in high definition.

* Documentary director Rebecca Halpern could have discussed more of Trotter's philanthropy (e.g. He won James Beard Humanitarian Award 2012 and his Trotter Project helps teach underserved population skills for food industry jobs like Pepin Foundation does).