Abe Conlon

Conlon was born in 1980 or 1981.^[6] At the early age of 15, Conlon showed interest in cooking and gained knowledge of classic sensibilities.^[7] Conlon graduated from Greater Lowell Technical High School in 1999.^[6][8]

He studied classical training at the Culinary Institute of America with mentors Franc Giovanini and Jon Matheison.^{[9][2][10][11]}

He studied fusion techniques under Norman Van Aken.^[12][13]

Conlon ran Chez Asian Bistro, a restaurant with a blend of Southeast Asian styles with local ingredients, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.^[9]

He became the youngest chef to win the AAA 4 Diamond Award for Augustine’s at Fredericksburg Square in Virginia.^[14][9]

Conlon and his business partner, Adrienne Lo, founded X-marx, an underground supper club in Chicago that served seven to 12 courses, three to four times per week, without repeating dishes and no repetition of a dish to serve.^[13][15][16]

In November 2012, Conlon and Lo opened their own fine-dining restaurant, Fat Rice, named after the home-style arroz gordo in Logan Square, Chicago.^[17] Conlon was the head chef of Fat Rice.^[18] After interviewing previous workers of Fat Rice The New York Times reported in 2020 that the employees largely portrayed Conlon as "an extreme example of a restaurant-business archetype: a tantrum-prone chef who rules by fear and bullying".^[19] He published a letter of regret, saying, "I have hurt and let down many people. I hear the criticism of my character and behavior. As process and reflect, I'm realizing who I am, who I've become, and how I need to change. I am taking this time to learn and to grow so that I may be better for the people I have damaged."^[20]

• James Beard Foundation Award 2018 – Best Chef: Great Lakes^[21]
• StarChefs: “Rising Star” 2015^[22]
• Four Diamond Award by AAA^[23]
• Nominated in 2017 for a James Beard Award for Excellence in Cuisine^[24]

• The Adventures of Fat Rice: Recipes from the Chicago Restaurant Inspired by Macau (Ten Speed Press)^[25][26][27]