Local Restaurant Celebrates South Side-Native Executive Chef's ‘Top Chef' Victory

Joe Flamm is the first Chicago-area chef to win the competition in over a decade

Local Italian eatery Spiaggia is taking a victory lap after its executive chef, Joe Flamm, was last night named the winner of the 15th season of Bravo’s cooking show “Top Chef.”

Spiaggia’s social media lit up with pictures of a viewing party and ensuing celebration hosted at the restaurant, 980 N. Michigan Ave. Friends, family, other chefs and even Flamm's grandmother appear in the photos. 

The restaurant's Twitter and Facebook banner images also changed to a photo of Flamm that proclaims his as the "Top Chef" Season 15 winner. 

RPM Italian
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RL Restaurant
n115 E. Chicago Ave.
nNext to the world's largest Ralph Lauren store in the city's Gold Coast, RL Restaurant's 1999 opening marked the iconic fashion company's debut in the food industry. Patrons can enjoy classic American foods like seafood, steaks, salads and more, in a club atmosphere that's not just members-only.
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nTrue Food Kitchen boasts health-conscious meals with a variety of gluten-free, organic, vegetarian and vegan options at their River North location. Guests can watch the preparation of their meal thanks to the open kitchen layout, and a rotating seasonal menu means there's always new dishes to try.
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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
n60 E. Grand Ave.
nWhat started as a small service in front of a Miami home is now the popular Joe's Seafood, with an expansion location in River North. Joe's has something for every diner on its upscale steak and seafood menu along with signature cocktails, vegetarian meals and a kids menu.
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n809 W. Randolph
nA celebrity chef just might cook your meal at Girl and the Goat in downtown Chicago. Executive Chef Stephanie Izard boasts a number of accolades, including Best Chef Great Lakes from the James Beard Foundation and the title of Top Chef from Bravo TV's hit series in 2008. The menu is comprised of globally inspired dishes served family style in an upbeat setting, with vegetarian options available.
instagram.com/oriolechi
Oriole
n661 W. Walnut St.
nHidden in an alley-like street in the West Loop, Oriole hosts 28 diners at a time for an "extended tasting menu" that includes caviar, crab, foie gras and more, paired with unique pastries for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
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nVarious Locations
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Bavette's
n218 W. Kinzie St.
nBavette's is a River North steakhouse with a "French flair," offering seafood towers, ribeyes and more inside an elegant dining space complete with chandeliers and jazz tunes floating through the air as you eat.

"Last night’s finale left Chef @FlammJoe absolutely speechless! We couldn’t be more proud of all you’ve accomplished on Season 15 of @bravotopchef! #TeamFlamm," the restaurant tweeted. 

Flamm, who was raised in Ashburn and now lives in Humboldt Park, took home the title of Top Chef with a four-course Italian meal. He won out over fellow South Side native Adrienne Cheatham, who is from Hyde Park but now lives in New York City.

"Let the celebrations begin! A HUGE cheers to Chef @FlammJoe for becoming @BravoTopChef!" Spiaggia tweeted shortly after the victory aired.

Birrieria Zaragoza
17th Street BBQ
Best Ribs: "Mike and Amy Mills are creating world-champion barbecue at Marion’s 17th Street BBQ."
Best Hot Dog: "Chicago’s Superdawg serves a perfect version of the famed Chicago-style dog."
Birrieria Zaragoza
Best Taco: "At Chicago’s Birrieria Zaragoza, they’re slowly roasting goat according to a recipe that’s over 100 years old"
The Chili Parlor
Best Chili: "Springfield’s The Chili Parlor has been making bowls of chili to order since 1945."
Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki
Best Burger: "The beauty of the burger served at Au Cheval lies in its simplicity, and crowds line up for it on a daily basis."
Best Italian Restaurant: "Tony Mantuano’s Spiaggia is a fine dining institution, and is completely unique."

After he won, Flamm said on the show that he was eager to bring back what he learned in the competition to Spiaggia.

It had been a decade since a Chicago-area chef won the competition. The prior, Evanston native chef Stephanie Izard, was named Top Chef in the show’s fourth season in 2008.

Last night’s finale left Chef absolutely speechless! We couldn’t be more proud of all you’ve accomplished on Season 15 of !
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