Alinea’s New Owner and Chef Grant Achatz Charts a New Dining Future

There were no giant “under new ownership” banners hoisted outside the Paragraph Group restaurants after Nick Kokonas announcement sold his interest in the property earlier this month. A server in Next The restaurant laughs at the suggestion.

The Alinea Group is arguably Chicago’s most decorated restaurant group and includes Michelin-starred Next, three-Michelin-starred Alinea, a cocktail lounge called Aviary, and Rollick.

Jason Weingarten, 47, who Chicago restaurant fans know Oliver’sa Los Angeles supper club restaurant in the South Loop that opened earlier this year, and Entrancea meal kit delivery service that debuted in 2022, is the new CEO and co-owner. Kokonas, who co-founded the group in 2005, remains a passive investor, available to play an advisory role. Weingarten compares partnering with chef Grant Achatz, the chef who helped make molecular gastronomy a household term, to “getting to partner with Michael Jordan back in the heyday.”

“Chef Achatz and his team are the best in the world; you don’t play around with success,” says Weingarten. “I have absolutely no plans or intentions to change anything that has worked so brilliantly for 19 years, and we are incredibly excited, excited and honored to celebrate the 20th anniversary next year.” He declined to share financial details of the transaction.

Weingarten says he has always loved the restaurant world, even before working with them, adding that in the past, when he organized events, some called him “a hospitality CEO who also sold software.” Weingarten is a longtime admirer of the restaurant group. the fund yellowa recruiting platform, and hosted a party in 2016 at Aviary to celebrate a company milestone: the first purchase of its kind for the chic Fulton Market cocktail lounge. Weingarten says Kokonas has never shied away from support and earlier this year asked him if he was interested in taking his place at Alinea Group. The two connected as Weingarten’s software experience linked him to tock — the booking platform Kokonas co-founded to stop absences at Alinea. Weingarten also turned to Alinea Group restaurants when he wanted to entertain customers.

Weingarten, originally from suburban Skokie and raised in Highland Park, attended Miami University in Ohio, where he studied marketing. He resides in River North, between Lincoln Park High School and Whitney Young High School, where his two children attend.

Achatz credits Weingarten for bringing a fresh perspective to the business: “He has the ability to recognize gaps, help guide teams and identify and pursue growth opportunities within and outside of TAG and use his business acumen to help us grow,” he said. says the chef.

Weingarten repeatedly mentions that no other restaurant company can offer Alinea Group’s “magical dining experiences.” He sees opportunities to bring that magic around the world, partnering with hotels and other entities. A variety of groups have already approached them, even Chicago’s infamous Wieners Circle hot dog stand has sparked a collaboration. Achatz posted a photo of a corn dog, as part of the chef’s creative process; The collaboration, which should be available next year, has not yet been finalized. Teaming up with mr meatthe Italian meat stand that inspired season 1 of the bearis another possibility, says Weingarten.

The Alinea Group has attempted to expand outside of Chicago in the past with a New York location of the Aviary in Mandarin Oriental. Weingarten congratulated the hotel and did not rule out collaborating with it in the future. However, any future partnership would mean ensuring that “we are completely aligned as to what the objectives are and that the incentives are set appropriately for both parties.”

“I think there is room for a number of opportunities to enjoy fun and unique and magical dining experiences in a collaborative way,” adds Weingarten. “You know, it doesn’t have to be just the typical classics.”

Of course, anyone thinking about taking a management stake in the group would need to gain the trust of its most famous chef. “The Alinea Group is something I have been working tirelessly on for over 20 years; It is so closely intertwined with who I am that it is impossible to separate it,” Achatz says. The chef adds, “I felt it was crucial to partner with someone who could engage in positive discussions about important decisions as we map out TAG’s growth plan over the next 10 years.”

Although Michelin stars and mentions on the list of the best restaurants in the world have already reinforced his profile, Weingarten sees “unlimited potential” in Achatz and would like to see the chef become more recognized nationally: “In my opinion, there is great opportunities for him, specifically, that we’re excited to go out there and get it,” Weingarten says.

Achatz has appeared in Netflix Chef’s Table. Last week, Achatz posted a photo with the Amazon founder. jeff bezos inside Alinea’s kitchen. He has served as a fighter and actor John Cenaand, like him, Achatz appeared in the last season of the bear. The group already has exposure, but it appears Weingarten plans to make adjustments.

“This team has been focused on building the best restaurant in the world and getting it done, and now we’re trying to build the best restaurant group in the world,” Weingarten says.