A world-class chef who was instrumental in Chicago’s development as a world-class restaurant city, Fernand Gutierrez inspired a generation of young chefs, many of whom continue to shape the city’s dining scene, with his love of French cuisine and magnetic, ever-positive personality.
“He didn’t tell you things over and over again,” said Carrie Nahabedian, chef/owner of Naha, who credits Mr. Gutierrez for her career. “He told you once, and it was seared in your brain.”
Mr. Gutierrez, 55, chef and owner of Bistrot La Bourgogne in Mexico City, formerly of Downers Grove, died of lung cancer Friday, July 14, in Mexico City.
“We actually found out [about the illness] three months ago, but we thought he had more time,” said his wife, Carole. “In the last three weeks there was a big turn for the worse, and he went quickly after that.”
Mr. Gutierrez was born in Dijon, France, but made his mark in restaurants in the U.S., particularly within the Four Seasons hotel group, where he spent the bulk of his career, and the Four Seasons-owned Ritz-Carlton Chicago, where he was executive chef for eight years.
“He exemplified what French cooking should be,” said Nahabedian, and along with such contemporaries as Jean Banchet, Jean-Claude Poilevey and Gabino Sotelino, he helped make Chicago a hotbed of top-flight French cooking.
“He was one of the shining lights in the growth of Chicago as a food city,” said food and wine journalist William Rice. “He was a very good cook, but also a great teacher.”
Among the chefs whose careers were launched by Mr. Gutierrez were Nahabedian; Susan Weaver, divisional chef for the Mon Ami Gabi restaurants; and Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, co-owners of Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook.
“He made busboys into chefs and dishwashers into sous chefs,” said Hans Willimann, general manager for the Four Seasons Chicago. “He had a knack of recognizing talent, of fostering and supporting people in order for them to succeed. And he was always a positive influence.”
“His greatest gift was as a teacher, the way he gave his spirit and passion to others,” Weaver said. “He was contagious; people were drawn to him. He could fill a room with people who wanted to hear what he had to say.”
“We have lost a good friend,” Banchet said. “He was very loving and a good professional; we really had fun with him.”
Mr. Gutierrez’s wife said the family plans to scatter his ashes along La Route du Vin in France.
“We will have to amend the Larousse,” said Weaver, referring to the culinary encyclopedia. “And under `leader,’ place a picture of Fernand.”
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gutierrez is survived by a son, Eric; and a daughter, Joanna.
Services have been held.
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pvettel@tribune.com
