Chef Julius Russell, a culinary virtuoso whose talent illuminated the palates and hearts of countless individuals, died on March 31 at 53. He leaves behind a legacy that transcends the boundaries of the kitchen.
Born Aug. 1, 1970, Russell’s journey began in his mother’s kitchen, where he discovered his passion for the culinary arts at a tender age. His insatiable curiosity and unwavering dedication propelled him into gastronomy, where he would carve his niche with unparalleled flair and innovation.
Chef Russell honed his skills at prestigious institutions including the New Orleans School of Cooking, where he immersed himself in the rich tapestry of Creole cuisine. He further refined his craft under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as Patrick Terrien at Le Cordon Bleu Academie d’Art Culinaire de Paris and Princess Marie Blanche de Broglie at La Cuisine Marie Blanche in Paris.
Throughout his illustrious career, Chef Russell’s culinary talents earned him numerous accolades and distinctions, including being named the Best Caterer in Chicago by Uptown Magazine in 2012. His culinary prowess was showcased on prominent stages such as the Taste of Chicago Main Stage from 2013 to 2018, where his innovative creations delighted audiences from around the world.
In addition to his culinary achievements, Chef Russell served as a Culinary Ambassador to Chile from 2013 to 2019, bridging cultures through the universal language of food. He also graced esteemed culinary events such as the Bon Appetite & Chicago Gourmet Festival in 2019, where his culinary expertise and infectious passion for food left an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of experiencing his creations.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chef Russell was revered for his generous spirit and unwavering commitment to the community. He dedicated his time and talents to charitable causes, using food as a medium to uplift and empower those in need.
Chef Russell’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the culinary heritage he enriched.
He is survived by his loving family, friends, and a global community of food enthusiasts who will forever cherish his memory.
12 Responses
I was honored to have Chef Julius cater several events for me and my family over the years. He made our gatherings special with his gregarious and warm personality. Rest in peace.
My wife and I are from Trinidad and Tobago and through our daughter Patrice, aka, Afrobella, we were introduced to Chef Julius when she asked him to prepare a special dinner for us many years ago on a visit to Chicago.
The meal was excellent, but to this day what we remember the most were his enthusiasm, his graciousness, his friendliness and the immediate connection we felt with him during that very first encounter.
A good person has left but the memories will live on forever.
Rest in Peace son
RIP cousin
Rip cousin.. i cherish several memories of us all growing up love u
My heart is truly heavy at this time. Julius will truly be miss by many. My deepest sympathy to his family and all of his friends.
Rest well, your talents and legacy lives on.
Rest in peace Chef Julius.
He was my cousin by marriage. I grew up with Jada, his wife, who left us in 2019. I spent a fair amount of time with them and got to know Chef Julius reasonably well. I learned so much from him and trusted him implicitly. He and I could talk for hours about growing up in Chicago and music and culture and politics. This is a genuine loss but I am confident he will be remembered with love and admiration for everything he gave us while he was here.
Words can’t express what it’s like losing my mentor. He will be missed.
Had the privilege of being in one of his cooking class through Jack and Jill. The kids loved preparing the meal and learning from him. May he continue his spiritual journey!
I Will miss u cousin Juwa. Will hold on to the precious childhood we shared all the laughter, practicing karate together and your unique laugh love u rest in peace! I know God is pleased with you.
RIP Cousin, I will never forget your smile and great spirits! I wish we had more time. I love you and I will always remember you. I wasn’t surprised you became a Chef, we come from a Soulful Cook Mrs. Tilie Russell. Until we meet again. Love you.