Erick Williams
Owner & Chef, Virtue Restaurant & Bar/Mustard Seed Kitchen

In Chicago’s Hyde Park, Virtue Restaurant unites Erick Williams’ fine dining expertise, his love of Southern cuisine and his insatiable study of history and art as they relate to food culture.

Virtue has been lauded nationwide, and Williams has received recognition for his first solo concept including an Award nomination by the James Beard Foundation in the Best Chef Great Lakes category. In late 2021, inspired by serving takeout and delivery out of Virtue during the pandemic lockdown, Williams opened Mustard Seed Kitchen, a takeout and delivery only concept serving everyday American eats that are approachable and affordable.

Outside of the kitchen, he is devoted to making a positive impact advocating for equality for the Black community for which he received Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Mayoral Medal of Honor in 2021 for his efforts.