Chefs on the Grill with Michael Nagrant

For February, Carol Wallack reminisces about how a bad beach day changed her life from surfer girl to carrot peeler to restaurant doyenne of Sola. 3868 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-327-3868

For January, Sean Eastwood (Isabella's Estiatorio) who plans to open the ambitious mediterranean Olo this Winter. 1152 W. Randolf St., 312-733-0573

For December, Frank Brunacci, chef at Trump International Hotel Tower's Sixteen, tells about life after The Donald said, you're Hired. 401 N. WABASH AVE. 312-924-7600>

THIS MONTH Bob DjahanguiriThe energetic PERSIAN native who thrilled Chicagoans a generation ago with Toulouse and Yvette is back, this time with Old Town Brasserie Market and four-star chef Roland Liccioni in the kitchen. 1209 N. Wells St. 312-943-0352

This Month Emmanuel Nony and Kendal Duque unveil an instant classic in Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson st. 312-441-1920

This Month Richard Sandoval. This innovator of modern mexican cuisine masterminded the menu for the Mexx Kitchten at the Whiskey Sutton Place Hotel, 1015 N. Rush St. 312-475-0300

For October, Chicago magazine food journalist Michael chats with Rick Tramonto of quotTruquot and several upcoming spots in the northwest suburbs

For November, Nagrant chats with Maneet Chauhan, a chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) whose unlikely Latino-Indian fare continues to defy the odds at Vermilion (10 W. Hubbard St. 312-527-4060)

For December, Nagrant chats with Steve Chiappetti, who made his bones at Mango, Grapes, Rhapsody, and Caf Le Coq. Now he's breathing new life into Viand (Courtyard by Marriott, 155 E. Ontario St. 312-255-8505), an American bistro that he's patterning after Mango

For January, Michael Nagrant chats with Debra Sharpe, who has revamped and expanded her space at Cru Caf Wine Bar to include an outpost of her upscale Bucktown to-go hit, The Goddess and Grocer.

This month, Nagrant chats with two of the citys most knowledgeable fishmongers first, Dirk Fucik, then Bill Dugan, who have a combined 60 years of experience in all things aquatic.

For March, Nagrant chats with Rick Bayless, the king of regional Mexican throughout the United States, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Frontera Grill (445 N. Clark St. 312-661-1434).

For April, Nagrant chats with Greg Hall, head brewmaster at the organically certified Goose Island Brewery, which foresaw the craft beer trend by a good decade, and in its 19 years has won every beer award on the planet.

For May, Nagrant sat down with Skokie native Barry Sorkin, a partner at Old Irving Parks barbecue sensation, Smoque.

For June, Nagrant sat down for a chat with Jerry Kleiner (Carnivale, Red Light), whose latest multimillion-dollar venture is the American-style bistro Room 21, in an old Capone hideout.

For July, Nagrant sat down with Gabino Sotelino, whose 27-year-old Lincoln Park masterpiece, Ambria (2300 N. Lincoln Park West 773-472-5959), will serve its last meal on June 30th.

For August, Natalie Zarzour Andersonvilles new pastry queen breathes life into cannoli at Pasticceria Natalina. 5406 N. Clark St. 773-989-0662 West 773-472-5959), will serve its last meal on June 30th.