Chef Amaury passes torch at Aurora's 33 West

Amaury Rosado loves the kitchen. It's in the kitchen where Rosado feels passion and feeds his creativity. For the last 12 years, as the proprietor of Chef Amaury's, Rosado has filled plates with part of his soul.

Over the past year, Rosado realized that he needs to heal his soul in order to keep his deep love for food alive. It was a difficult year, both emotionally and physically, for Rosado, and he said it was hard to admit that he needed to step away from the kitchen in order to fully recuperate.

"I've thought about it for a while. I need time to heal," said Rosado, who lost his father last year. The loss was particularly painful to Rosado who shared a close relationship and a house with his father. Shortly after, Rosado suffered from an injured shoulder that kept him out of the kitchen.

Rosado plans to hand the keys of Chef Amaury at 33 West over to his sous chef, Matt Gillie, who will in turn start working on his own vision for the space along New York Street's Restaurant Row in Aurora.

Rosado said he looks forward to a smooth transition, and he's thrilled with Gillie's proposal of opening a gastropub at the location.

Chef Amaury at 33 West will celebrate its last open weekend June 26-27. In the meantime, Rosado has every intention of savoring the last weeks in his beloved restaurant.

The restaurant, known for working with local farmers and specialty breweries, was featured on PBS's "Check, Please!" last fall, and received three out of four stars from the Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel in 2008.

Rosado will host a dinner Wednesday, May 20, pairing courses with beers from Flesk Brewery, and serve a special seven-course dinner Wednesday, June 24, including specialty cocktails and welcoming back key members of his staff, including Bret Gloria, a manager at Two Brothers Roundhouse, and Jon Clark, a mixologist at The Aviary in Chicago.

"I'll be back in the kitchen for those events," Rosado said. He added that he won't disappear, and that he will continue to be supportive of the downtown community, especially the arts.

"I'll continue to support the community," Rosado said. He added that he and his wife, Trisha, have made the best of friends since opening the restaurant.

"We can't replace what this restaurant has given us. We've benefited from making great friends," he said.

For more information on dinner events at Chef Amaury at 33 West, visit Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair on Facebook, or www.chefamaury.com.