Celeb chef Tramonto coming to Sullivan Center

One of the Chicago area's most prominent celebrity chefs will talk about his storied career this month at the Sullivan Center in Vernon Hills.

Rick Tramonto, who gained fame at restaurants including Evanston's Trio and Chicago's Tru, will stop by the center to promote his newest cookbook, “Steak With Friends. The event sponsored by the Cook Memorial Public Library District is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Sullivan Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive.

Tramonto now the culinary director of Tramonto's Steak & Seafood and RT Sushi Bar & Lounge, both in Wheeling will talk about his career, food and the new cookbook.

“Libraries offer programs for all ages and all tastes, and the opportunity to have someone of such renown (here) is a feather in the cap of the district, Cook Memorial Director Stephen Kershner said. “I think this will be a four-star program.

Tramonto, who lives in Vernon Hills, built his reputation in kitchens but also has appeared on television, including as a judge on “Top Chef and as a contestant on “Top Chef Masters.

He said he booked the speaking engagement at the library as a way to do something for the community and to support the new Cook Memorial Library in Vernon Hills, which opened this summer.

“Steak With Friends, which was cowritten by Mary Goodbody, is his seventh book. Copies will be for sale at the event.

The cost of admission is one nonperishable food item, which will be donated to a local food pantry.

The audience will be limited to 200 people.

To register, call (847) 362-2330, go to webres.cooklib.org or visit the Cook Memorial libraries in Vernon Hills or Libertyville.