Michael Altenberg, renowned Chicago chef and restauranteur died this week. Farm Aid mourns his passing.
Michael befriended so many family farmers who provided high quality ingredients for his brilliant cooking at his Chicago restaurants Crust and Bistro Campagne.
His enthusiasm for fresh farm food sent him out to the farms, building relationships, bringing back the tastes that only sustainable and organic farmers make possible. He served it all with genuine hospitality.
When Farm Aid came to Tinley Park outside of Chicago in 2005 for our 20th anniversary concert, Michael’s food and donations welcomed us.
A restless pioneer, eager to bring more organic family farm food to the table, Michael taught many others to cook, from chefs to
customers at the local farmers market.
We join all of our Chicago friends in a salute to Michael Altenberg, a family farm hero.
All of us at Farm Aid send our condolences to his family.
Chef at an Earth Day event in Chicago.
