What Is Going On Over At Graham Elliot's?!

Just last month, Phil Vettel awarded Graham Elliot three stars in a Chicago Tribune review, so what's up with the turmoil behind the scenes?!

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that on Sunday afternoon some pretty intense disagreements between front of house and back of house had a few staffers walking out before service. They were so heated, in fact, that top management was called in to get matters back under control.

Charlie Trotter's, NoMI Alum Brings a Taste of Cameroon to the South Loop

Chef Alain Njike of Alain's Restaurant in the South Loop. (Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

So, 2012 is turning out to be quite a stellar one for Charlie Trotter's alums.

Former Trotter's Executive Chef Matthias Merges opened Yusho in the winter. Bill Kim debuted his third restaurant, belly Q, in late August. Graham Elliot opened G.E.B. also in the summer, and Curtis Duffy is set to open Grace later this fall.

Also tossing his hat into the ring of rock star spots is Alain Njike, who opened Alain's Restaurant in the South Loop in early August. But what sets Njike apart from the others is that he's bringing a cuisine to Chicago that's never been done before—particularly on an upscale level. His contemporary American menu is highly influenced by flavors from his homeland on Africa's West Coast.

Moto's Homaro Cantu Offers a Solution to the Chicago Teachers' Strike

Homaro Cantu (iNG/Moto) expressed his frustrations of the latest news on Chicago's striking teachers on Facebook Sunday.

But unlike most critics, the award-winning chef didn't just complain, he offered a number of viable solutions that he wants to put into action immediately.