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the fairmont chicago, millennium park is pleased to announce the appointment of chad starling as chef de cuisine in aria restaurant. "my philosophy is fresh clean cuisine to suit any palette." with this in mind, chef starling has been inspired to redesign the aria menu. "it has been a labor of love. one of the most challenging and exciting endeavors in my entire career. i have been fortunate to incorporate my culinary experiences from around the world and the creativity of the entire aria team into one menu."
starling has also enjoyed getting out to meet local farmers and visiting the green city market. "working with local sustainable farmers is a dream come true when designing a new menu." and, for starling, a nature lover, the sky is the limit. michigan apples, heirloom tomatoes, herbs grown in his own herb garden in front of the fairmont, are just the beginning of this new adventure.
starling, a tennessee native, attended chattanooga state university before realizing that food was his future. starting at st. john's in chattanooga, starling traveled to flager's and grand café in key west and wild goose in lake tahoe before arriving in chicago at the likes of saltaus and le lan. with interim stops all over southeast asia and world renowned restaurants in las vegas, starling has even had a coveted mentorship with acclaimed chef arun sampantharvivat at arun's.
starling remembers growing up with his mother and grandmother's cooking. "they were an amazing influence and if it weren't for them, i would not be a chef today. food is synonymous with family at my house." it is with this spirit of family that chef chad runs his kitchen.
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