John Shields
Affiliation
Smyth
Three Michelin-starred restaurant Smyth in Chicago (earned November 2023)
i. Biography
John B. Shields is the Executive Chef and co-owner of Smyth and The Loyalist in Chicago's West Loop, a two-restaurant concept that earned three Michelin stars in November 2023. He began his culinary training in St. Louis before serving as sous chef at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago and then at Grant Achatz's Alinea from 2005-2008. In 2008, Shields and his wife Karen Urie relocated to Chilhowie, Virginia, where they reimagined the Town House restaurant into a nationally acclaimed destination that earned him Food & Wine's 'Best New Chef' award in 2010 and a James Beard Award nomination in 2011. His culinary philosophy emphasizes seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients and a 'farm on a plate' concept, drawing inspiration from his personal garden, The Farm, located in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
The Archive
Selected Works & Focus Areas
Focus 01
Three Michelin-starred restaurant Smyth in Chicago (earned November 2023)
Focus 02
Farm-to-table culinary philosophy emphasizing seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients
Focus 03
Co-ownership and operation of Smyth and The Loyalist, a dual-concept fine dining and casual dining establishment
Focus 04
Transforming Town House in rural Virginia into a nationally acclaimed destination restaurant
Focus 05
Intuition-based creativity approach combining preservation, fermentation, and Japanese culinary principles
Focus 06
Cult-following double burger at The Loyalist