Marty Fosse, a Herrin native and acclaimed Chicago restaurateur, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award for HerrinFesta Italiana 2019. A l973 graduate of Herrin High School and graduate of the University of Evansville, he moved to Chicago in l980 where he made his mark on its culinary world.
Marty’s career has included spearheading many restaurant ventures located throughout the city including Lincoln Park, Rosemont and Navy Pier.
Prior to owning his own businesses, Fosse was the General Manager of the acclaimed Spiaggia restaurant on Michigan Avenue. He now devotes his talents to a restaurant he created over a dozen years ago. It’s called Anteprima- a rustic, Regional Italian culinary gem located in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood
For Anteprima, Fosse sources the best ingredients possible, preferring local and organic producers. Pasta and bread are made fresh -on-site daily and the restaurant has its own contacts here and in Europe for several key ingredients. Of his cooking, he says “Our regionally inspired, rustic Italian food comes from recipes
Fosse consistently receives rave reviews and accolades. Reviews from the industry include a quote from Zagat – “Anteprima’s
Chicago magazine reports: “Look for menu selections like wood-grilled whole fish orecchiette with lamb sausage. The wine list stays true to the region: It’s 100 percent Italian.”
Restart reviewer Ashok Selvar says of Marty Fosse, “He has an extensive history in the Chicago restaurant scene. He calls on downstate farmers to purchase as much as he can locally and seasonally.”
Most recently, Eater Chicago named Anteprima one of the city’s Top Ten Italian Restaurants.
He is proud of his hometown of Herrin and recalls many wonderful memories made with family and friends. In high school, he was a four-year outfielder for the Herrin Tigers, a sports editor for the Tiger Tattler and member of Student Council. An important mentor for his high school years was his French teacher, Anthony B. Venegoni, whom Marty credits for introducing him to the wonders of the world outside of Herrin.
Fosse is the son of the late Leon and Peggy Fosse of Herrin. His sister and brother in law, Leann and Michael Jones live in Herrin. He and his wife Elaine have two children, Christo, a freshman at Xavier University in Cincinnati and Georgia, a junior at Main South High School, live in Park Ridge, IL.
He will be honored at the HerrinFesta Honoree Banquet May 21 at the Herrin Civic Center