Duffy’s journey from childhood adversity to culinary greatness is extraordinary. As a troubled middle school pupil in small-town Ohio, encouraged by a teacher whom he still cites today as one of the greatest influences on his life, he developed a passion for cooking. Whilst still in high school, he began working in the kitchen of a private golf club. Then, after graduating from Ohio State University, he moved to Chicago, where he gained valuable experience in a series of esteemed restaurants, culminating in his time at Avenues at The Peninsula Hotel. With Duffy as its chef, Avenues received numerous accolades, including two Michelin stars. There he met Michael Muser, who became his business partner. Together they created Grace, which received two Michelin stars in its opening year and three stars every year from 2015 to 2018 before abruptly closing. The pair then opened Ever, which earned two Michelin stars in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Duffy won the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Great Lakes award in 2016. In 2023, he was included among the 50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining, published by the Robb Report.
Restaurants
Duffy and his business partner Muser opened Ever in Chicago in July 2020, and the accolades began to arrive almost immediately. First was a four-star rating in the Chicago Tribune. This was complemented the following year by appearances in La Liste’s Best New Arrivals of the Year and the best new restaurants lists of both Chicago Magazine and Esquire. Ever also received two stars in the Michelin Guide in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and an AAA Five Diamond Rating in 2022 and 2023.
Ever’s website describes the restaurant as the “creative obsession” of Duffy and Muser, and the pair’s creativity and obsessive attention to detail can be seen not just in the exquisitely imaginative tasting menus but also in the discreet but expertly tailored service and in every aspect of the futuristic design. It has been characterized by Muser himself in Eater as “the type of restaurant at home on Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise starship.”
Next door to Ever, Duffy and Muser have opened two complementary locations: a lounge bar named After and a high-event space called The Canvas by Ever. Both have received highly positive reviews.
Recipes and dishes
Guests at Ever experience an ever-changing eight-to-10 course tasting menu built around proteins from land and sea, fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts. The Michelin Guide has described the meal as “a visual thrill with inventive presentations that entice at every turn.”
Duffy’s cuisine is micro-seasonal and places the ingredients front and center. He dedicates a huge amount of time to researching and perfecting his creations, often employing innovative techniques to bring out the most exquisite flavor from each ingredient.
Despite this intense process, Duffy still finds time for extra-curricular activities, including being recorded for posterity on page and screen. He is the author of Fireproof: A Memoir of a Life on Fire, which is scheduled for publication in 2025.
A few years ago, he starred in the acclaimed documentary For Grace, which talks about his difficult childhood, his ambition, and the sacrifices required to make it to the top of his profession.
Duffy also appeared alongside Dominique Crenn in an episode of Netflix cooking show Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. Finally, as die-hard fans will know, a partially fictionalized version of Ever featured prominently in seasons two and three of hit TV drama The Bear.
