Chicago Gourmet Ushers in Fall

By admin
You don't have to be a gourmet to enjoy the food and wine at Chicago Gourmet by Jennifer Olvera   Chicago is gearing up for one of its biggest—and, arguably, tastiest—galas: Chicago Gourmet, courtesy of the Illinois Restaurant Association in conjunction with Bon Appetit magazine. The third-annual event will be held in Millennium Park on September 25 from noon until 6 p.m. and September 26 from noon until 5 p.m. and will feature hundreds of the city’s leading chefs, sommeliers, brewers, winemakers and distillers—as well as famed ones beyond Chicago city limits.    
From beer tastings to chef demos, seminars to book signings, its attendees will have no shortage of edible opportunities throughout. Plus, Bon Appetit editor Barbara Fairchild and Executive Chef Cat Cora will be present (see them in the Marketplace Tent). Additionally, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) will feature the Foodspring.com Specialty Food Pavillion, where over 60 food and beverage purveyors will be offering samples. 
Meanwhile, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. on both days, a Grand Cru tasting will take place, allowing guests to try top wines from the world over (separate ticket of $175, with a general admission ticket required). 
The number of participating chefs is near-countless but includes Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda), Rick Bayless (Topolobampo, Frontera Grill, XOCO), Jimmy Bannos Jr. (The Purple Pig), Graham Elliot Bowles (graham elliot) and Radhika Desai (English). Basically, you can pick any notable chef in Chicago and expect that he or she will be there. 
General admission for a one-day pass is priced at $150 or $250 for a weekend pass.  
For information, visit www.chicagogourmet.org or call 312-380-4128.
  
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