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Erick Williams

Award-Winning Chef & Owner at Virtue Restaurant

Erick Williams
Travels From Travels From:
Chicago, IL, USA
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Categories Categories:
Black Heritage, Celebrity Chef, Food & Beverage, Lifestyle, Youth
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Erick Williams Biography

It is with inimitable persistence, passion and drive to propel today’s dining experience that Erick Williams – Owner and Chef at Virtue Restaurant & Bar – has carved a special niche in the restaurant industry.

Opened in November 2018, Virtue is Williams’ first solo concept, and is nestled in the heart of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, located on Chicago’s south side. The restaurant, which attracts guests both from throughout Chicagoland and around the globe, unites his 25 years of fine dining expertise, his love of Southern cuisine and his insatiable study of history and art as they relate to food culture.

The expertise Williams built over the years is reflected at Virtue with his precise sense of timing, immaculate presentation, deeply considered menu and a mantra of leading every guest experience with kindness. Since opening, Williams and Virtue have been featured in a host of local and national journals and television programs. The New York Times named him one of America’s black chefs changing food dialogue in America (2019). Virtue also earned its place on Esquire magazine’s annually anticipated list of Best New Restaurants (2019). Television writer and producer Phil Rosenthal included Williams in his hit Netflix series, “Somebody Feed Phil” (2020). He was also named, “A Chicagoan of the Year” by Chicago magazine (2020). Williams also received a coveted Award nomination by the James Beard Foundation in the Best Chef Great Lakes category (2020). In 2021, he was honored with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Mayoral Medal of Honor for his work feeding frontline workers during the pandemic and also his advocacy for social justice in the Black community. Williams appeared on ABC’s Live With Kelly and Ryan as part of the show’s Hometown Chef Summer Cooking series and was the featured subject of CBS Saturday Morning’s “The Dish” segment. A natural orator, Williams was a featured speaker at the Philly Chef Conference (2019) and was named a Smith Symposium Fellow by the Southern Foodways Alliance (2019). Williams was also awarded the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes.

On multiple occasions, Williams has had the honor of organizing and serving high-profile events for civic leaders and celebrities, both on his own and alongside fellow industry leaders nationwide. Outside of the restaurant, he donates his time and talent to those less fortunate by partnering with charities across the region. He is particularly devoted to making a positive impact on the future of Chicago’s inner-city youth as well as the hospitality industry, offering his time as a keynote speaker advocating for small businesses.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 12/29/2023.

Erick Williams Videos

  • Chicago Chef Erick Williams on Juneteenth, Promoting Equity
    Chicago Chef Erick Williams on Juneteenth, Promoting Equity
    As Juneteenth becomes a widely recognized holiday, the award-winning chef talks about what the day means to him, and how he tries to honor it through...
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FAQs on booking Erick Williams

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    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Erick Williams for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Erick Williams, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Erick Williams or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Erick Williams

    Speaking fees for Erick Williams, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Erick Williams are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Erick Williams, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Erick Williams speak about?

    Erick Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Black Heritage, Celebrity Chef, Food & Beverage, Lifestyle, Youth.

  • Where does Erick Williams travel from?

    Erick Williams generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Erick Williams for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Erick Williams for your next private or corporate function.

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Erick Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Erick Williams for your event is available upon request. Erick Williams generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Adam Evans, Dane Baldwin, Chris Bianco, Chintan Pandya and Iliana de la Vega. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Erick Williams for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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