Shawn McClain

Spring Restaurant Group

Shawn McClain, executive chef and partner of Spring, Green Zebra and Custom House restaurants in Chicago, has a knack for balancing the next trend with refinement and sensibility.

A native of San Diego, Calif., and a 1990 graduate of the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College in Evanston, Ill., McClain’s star rose quickly in the culinary world. He broke onto the national scene at Trio restaurant in Evanston, earning four-stars from both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. There, his style came into focus, one that juxtaposes Eastern influence with Western foundations. After seven accolade-filled years, he left to open Spring, his homage to seafood, with partners Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky and Peter Drohomyrecky.

The restaurant opened in 2001 to extraordinary critical and consumer success. That year, Spring was nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s “Best New Restaurant” award, and McClain was named by Esquire magazine as “Chef of the Year”. In 2002, he appeared in “40 Under 40”, Crain’s Chicago Business’ highly competitive list of who’s who in the city.

In 2004, McClain was ready to take on new challenge and opened his second restaurant, Green Zebra. An immediate success, this vanguard concept brings vegetables to the center of the plate, and has been lauded by the New York Times, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, and several other prestigious publications. Green Zebra emphasizes Chef McClain’s insistence on the quality of ingredients and his flair for menu innovations. In 2005, McClain swung the pendulum in the opposite direction and opened Custom House. Located in a historic, boutique hotel setting in Chicago’s Printer’s Row, this modern interpretation of the classic steakhouse focuses on artisan meats and classic sides reinterpreted with McClain’s unique flair. Custom House opened to rave reviews, receiving three stars from both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.

In 2006, McClain was honored with the Best Chef Midwest award from the James Beard Foundation. McClain’s passion creativity and ability to create singular restaurants that satisfy on many levels continues to excite diners. McClain and his wife, Holly, live in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, not far from Spring.

Cervena features regularly on the menu at Custom House.  Click here for Shawn's recipes.