We have a very talented group of colleagues that run and support each restaurant.  Too see our biographies, select a name from the list at the right.

Shawn McClain, Principal, Spring Restaurant Group and Executive Chef

Shawn McClain, chef/owner of Spring, Green Zebra and Custom House restaurants, has a knack for balancing the next trend with refinement and sensibility. A graduate of the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Evanston, Il., 1990), McClain’s star rose quickly in the culinary world. He broke onto the national scene while at Trio restaurant, earning four-stars from both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. His style came into focus at Trio – one that juxtaposes Eastern influence into Western foundations, and after seven accolade-filled years, he left to open Spring. Spring, his homage to seafood, opened to extraordinary critical and consumer success, including McClain being selected by Esquire magazine as “Chef of the Year.” In February 2002, McClain was named the “Rising Star Chef of the Year” at the inaugural Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence and Spring was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as the “Best New Restaurant” of 2001.  In 2002 he was also named one of Crain’s Chicago’s “40 Under 40” a moniker he has clearly lived up to.

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 once again 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 steak house focuses on artisan meats and classic sides re-interpreted with McClain’s unique flair.  Custom house has opened to rave reviews and been awarded three stars from the Chicago Tribune and well as the Chicago Sun-Times.

In 2006, McClain was honored with the “Best Chef Midwest” award from the James Beard Foundation.  McClain’s ability to create singular restaurants that satisfy on many levels continues to excite diners.  He passionate creativity is unrelenting and he is always striving to improve his natural talent. McClain lives in the city, near both Green Zebra and Spring.