Famed Chicago Chef Killed in I-290 Pileup

The man killed in an early Saturday morning crash of 15 cars has been identified as chef and restaurateur Chef Jean-Claude Poilevey, a resident of Oak Park and a noted Chicago chef for many decades.

He was 71 years old.

"We are heart broken. The world lost an incredible man, chef, and friend," the restaurant posted on Twitter Saturday evening.

The chain-reaction crash was caused by icy conditions at about 12:40 a.m. Poilevey was on his way home from his restaurant, Le Bouchon in Bucktown. State Police said a series of crashes took place, with the cars piling into each other. Poilevey reportedly was struck after leaving his vehicle. Three other people were injured and taken to local hospitals.

His profile on GreatChefs.com notes Poilevey was born in the Burgundy region of France, and he began learning his trade at the age of 14. He was a cook in the French army, too. After a stint in the army, he moved to London.

In 1968, Hugh Hefner recruited Poilevey and several other French chefs in London to open The Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, according to his biography. A year later, he came to Chicago.

• Fatal I-290 Pileup Caused by Slick Road

Phil Vettel, food critic for the Chicago Tribune, was first to report Poilevey's death, writing:

Poilevey eventually relocated to (Chicago), opening La Fontaine, near Clark Street and Fullerton Avenue, in 1973. Eventually, Poilevey bought out his partners and renamed the restaurant Jean Claude. He closed that restaurant in 1993, and opened Le Bouchon later that year. He added La Sardine in the West Loop in 1998.

His wife, Susanne Poilevey, focused on La Sardine, while Poilevey oversaw Le Bouchon.

His son, Oliver, worked with his dad at Le Bouchon.

more via the Chicago Tribune