Chicago Gourmet 2014 – A Wine and Food Lover’s Destination

Chicago may be known as the City of Big Shoulders but it has also become familiar to many for Chicago Gourmet, a celebration of fabulous food, wine, spirits, and beer which was held the weekend of September 26-28, its seventh year. Since 2013 I have been looking forward to another festivus of live cooking demonstrations, seminars, food and wine tastings, and more. This year’s Chicago Gourmet didn’t disappoint…stunningly gorgeous weather, world reknown chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers, and an array of outstanding libations were the ingredients for another successful event. Produced by the Illinois Restaurant Association and sponsored by Bon Appétit magazine, thousands of foodies and wine lovers from across the nation converged in beautiful Millennium Park.

Upon my arrival, I joined the opening ceremonies press conference on the Bon Appétit Main Stage and was poured a glass of perfectly chilled Veuve Cliquot. But of course! I savored the bubbles while listening to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Adam Rapoport, Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appétit, and others kick off the day and deciding which of the many cooking demonstrations, tasting pavilions, and wine samples to try. It became obvious that it would be impossible to see and taste everything that was offered, but I was willing take the challenge!

The first seminar of the day, The Mexican Takeover, was presented by celebrity chefs Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, and XOCO and Carlos Gaytan of Mexique. Both were having such fun on stage sharing tips (Rick Bayless loves the Vitamix) and techniques (keep roasting those vegetables) while tackling the daunting job of creating beautiful food in under twenty minutes…the audience loved it and it was all I could do not to close my eyes and dream of Mexico while I was tantalized by the aromas wafting from the demonstration kitchen.

After tasting culinary creations from The Berghoff Restaurant, Mercadito, Piccolo Sogno, and mk The Restaurant, I stopped at the Bon Appétit Culinary Stage where I attended the Life After Top Chef: The Family Business. Beverly Kim of Parachute and Spike Mendelsohn of Good Stuff Eatery shared their stories and demonstrated signature dishes. Mendelsohn had just won the previous night’s Hamburger Hop, a battle among top chefs in a burger showdown, with his Obama Burger laden with Amish gorgonzola cheese, horseradish mayo, red onion marmalade…all sequestered on a brioche bun.  As he was making this winner once again, the intense aromas filling the air made all of the salivating onlookers want to rush to the grill and grab a bite.

Then there were the wines! At the numerous Great Lawn Tasting Tents I sampled newly released wine from Cline Family Cellars, Achaval Ferrer, Aveniu Brands, Faust Vineyard, Grgich Hills Estate, Groth Vineyards and Winery, Louis Latour, Oyster Bay, Patz & Hall, Trump Winery, and (trust me) many others. Sipping and chatting with friends on large banquettes placed on the lawn added to the carefree mood of the day.

What did I miss?  Lines were too long for the Napa Legends seminar featuring Larry Stone of Quintessa Vineyards and I was too busy tasting wine at the tents to attend the Great Wines of Tuscany seminar presented by Serafin Alvarado of Southern Wines and Spirits of Illinois.  Word in the park was that How to Host a Cocktail Party was incredible and the attendees received fabulous goodie bags…I’ll be attending that one next year!  Although not as much of a beer lover as a wine aficionado, I would have enjoyed Pairing Food with Beer presented by Amanda Downing of Rockit Bar and Grill and Daniel Joly of Stella Artois. For more details about the two day schedule, please check out the Chicago Gourmet site.

With my separate ticket, I was admitted into the Grand Cru Tasting on the rooftop of the Harris Theatre where James Beard recognized chefs offered delicious small bites paired with premium, elite wines. Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat and Little Goat served goat empanadas with heirloom tomato and Sepia’s Andrew Zimmerman offered a savory charred eggplant tortoloni with cashew, sesame, and curry leaf. I loved the roasted fig, Calabrian style ‘nduja with castelmagno and fennel created by Tony Manuano and Chris Marchino of one of my favorite Chicago restaurants, Spiaggia.

Many wines at the Grand Cru Tasting were notable and I recommend that you look for these releases. Among those I enjoyed were the Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Overture by Opus One 2010, Patz & Hall “Hyde Vineyard” Chardonnay 2012, Marques de Riscal “Gran Reserva” Rioja 2005, Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Sanford “Sanford & Benedict Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2011, Quintessa 2011, and Charles Krug “Generations” 2011.  Honestly, it was impossible to taste all of the wines being poured although I gave it my best effort!

Where else could a wine and food lover have so much variety and quality in their glass and on their plate if not Chicago Gourmet? Not only does my sweet home Chicago boast an award winning international culinary scene but in 2015 it will host the James Beard Foundation Awards. That said, be sure to add Chicago Gourmet 2015 to your calendar and purchase your tickets early. Make this destination a priority.

Cheers ~ Cindy

 Note: A special thank you goes to Isabelli Media Relations for offering me a media pass to this extraordinary event.