Three-Star Chicago Restaurant Charts New Era With UK Hire Smyth, Chicago's three-Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant and 50 Best's No. 1 Restaurant in North America, has appointed Michelin-starred Chef Conor Dalton as Head Chef following a global search for rising culinary talent. Dalton will work alongside Executive Chef John Shields and Executive Pastry Chef Karen Urie Shields at the West Loop establishment. Dalton brings over 20 years of experience in internationally renowned fine-dining kitchens. He previously served as Head Chef at Skof, Tom Barnes' Manchester restaurant that earned a Michelin star within eight months of opening. He has also worked in the kitchens of Simon Rogan's three-Michelin-starred L'Enclume and The Five Fields in London. Dalton was shortlisted for the National Restaurant Awards 2025's Chef to Watch. "Joining this team is a tremendous honor and profound responsibility," Dalton said. "Chefs John and Karen have built one of the world's most extraordinary dining destinations. I look forward to working alongside them, bringing my own perspective to the kitchen, and contributing to the restaurant's next chapter of innovation. I've always admired the warmth of American hospitality, and to be a part of a restaurant which prioritizes this artistry is a lifelong dream." Smyth's leadership was drawn to Dalton's discipline, commitment to peak-season produce, and collaborative approach. Shields and Dalton met in person as part of the selection process and spent two days working together in the kitchen before Dalton was selected. "We are thrilled to welcome Chef Conor to our team," Shields said. "It is rare to find someone with the raw talent to achieve the excellence we strive for at Smyth. This appointment marks the start of an exciting era as we constantly seek to refine and perfect our craft." The appointment arrives during a landmark year for Smyth: the restaurant earned 50 Best's No. 1 Restaurant in North America designation in May, celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and retained its three-Michelin-star rating for the third consecutive year.
Why It Matters
For operators, the move signals how elite fine-dining restaurants are refreshing leadership through international talent searches rather than promoting from within—a shift that reflects the global competition for culinary talent and the importance restaurants place on bringing new perspectives to established concepts.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
