Molecular gastronomy has inspired chefs from Britain's Heston Blumenthal to Chicago's Grant Achatz and Denmark's Rene Redzepi.

NPR: Ferran Adria Brings ElBulli Exhibition To London

Grant Achatz' ulta-modernist Alinea in Chicago fell from seventh to 15th this year.

WSJ: Spain's El Celler de Can Roca world's No. 1 eatery

But Kent seemed intimidated by his superstar mentors (who brought on advisors like Grant Achatz, Tom Colicchio and others).

WSJ: Celebrity Chef's Franco-American Quest

The dishes are laced with local oddities like cattails and pokeweed but inspired by the high-tech wizardry of chefs like Grant Achatz.

NEWYORKER: True Grits

But where construction may have stalled, the culinary scene has forged ahead with master chefs like Grant Achatz and Tony Mantuano, who are turning out some of the most creative food in the country.

BBC: Living in: Chicago