Celeb chef Tramonto steps away from the stove

Chef Rick Tramonto has cut his ties with Tru, the internationally acclaimed restaurant he founded in 1999, to pursue yet undisclosed culinary ventures.

"It's been a great ride; it's been magic, but it's time for the next journey," said Tramonto, of Vernon Hills. "I'm excited about the future and what God has in store for me."

Tramonto said he will announce his new venture after July 4.

In leaving Tru, he turns over the title of executive chef and partner to Anthony Martin, who joined the restaurant in 2008. Martin, an Ohio native, worked with award-winning chefs Joel Robuchon and Alex Stratta in Las Vegas before coming to Tru.

"Anthony has extraordinary talent and creativity, and I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for what he does," Tramonto said. "He has been running the Tru kitchen for the last two years, so we know this transition will be seamless."

Tru started as a partnership between Tramonto, Executive Pastry Chef and then-spouse Gale Gand and Richard Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. The Streeterville

restaurant quickly garnered international recognition for its progressive and oftentimes whimsical cuisine. Gand remains a partner.

"Rick and I have worked together for almost 30 years and I know we'll continue to work together on other projects," Gand said. "We've always had an extra layer of staff that has allowed Rick and I to do our charity events, pursue other projects."

Tramonto remains associated with Tramonto's Steak & Seafood in Wheeling.

His most recent project was his seventh book, "Steak with Friends," which was released in April, and he's working with an editor on his memoirs to be published in 2011. He also competed on the current season of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters."