Chef-Owner, Virtue Restaurant & Bar | Chicago, IL

Erick Williams is chef-owner of Virtue Restaurant & Bar in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The restaurant unites his fine dining expertise, his love of Southern cuisine and his insatiable study of history and art as they relate to food culture. Since opening, Williams and Virtue have been featured in a host of local and national journals and television programs. The New York Times named him one of America’s black chefs changing food dialogue in America (2019). Virtue also earned its place on Esquire magazine’s annually anticipated list of Best New Restaurants (2019). He was also named, “A Chicagoan of the Year” by Chicago magazine (2020). Williams also received a coveted award nomination by the James Beard Foundation in the Best Chef Great Lakes category (2020). In 2021, he was honored with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Mayoral Medal of Honor for his work feeding frontline workers during the pandemic and also his advocacy for social justice in the Black community. Outside of the restaurant, he donates his time and talent to those less fortunate by partnering with charities across the region. He is particularly devoted to making a positive impact on the future of Chicago’s inner-city youth. (Chicago, IL) @cheferickwilliams