Star Chicago Chef's Mouth Cancer in Remission

Achatz's sense of taste impaired but returning
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 18, 2008 3:29 PM CDT
Star Chicago Chef's Mouth Cancer in Remission
After treatment for oral cancer, Grant Achatz is regaining the ability to taste the creations at his Chicago restaurant, Alinea.   (Alinea)

Chicago chef Grant Achatz’s oral cancer is in remission, the Chicago Tribune reports. The culinary star endured nearly 6 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and says he is “happy to say I've had a clean biopsy.” Foodies can now find Achatz back at Alinea, his award-winning restaurant in downtown Chicago.

Three doctors told Achatz his tongue would have to be removed, but he stubbornly pursued other options until he found a University of Chicago doctor who offered radiation and chemotherapy. The treatment has dulled Achatz’s sense of taste, but he says it's coming back. "If not for Dr. Vokes' protocol, I'd probably be without a tongue today,” Achatz said. “Now I feel 90% back to normal and I can look forward.” (More Grant Achatz stories.)

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