Surrounded by the magnificence of the Chicago skyline, Millennium Park was the setting for the 9th annual Bon Appetit Presents Chicago Gourmet held during the weekend of September 24 and 25.
The shining sun wasn’t the only star on Sunday, the day I attended – cue the food and drinks. Those who were lucky enough to score tickets to the sold out two-day event, nibbled small bites from world class Chicago restaurants, sipped cocktails and wines from around the world, and attended live demonstrations and seminars from renown chefs, restaurateurs, and masters of wine. This year, the theme of Chicago Gourmet was “Food is Art” in order to help us discover the varied connections between the art of cuisine and art of other kinds. Everywhere I looked, I found elements of drama, painting, sculpture and more, all woven with culinary and drink offerings. Stunning!
The beauty of Millennium Park with glass of wine in hand (of course!)
As soon as I arrived, I wasted no time in finding the comfortable Bon Appetit tent where I sipped Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2014 Francis Coppola and planned my afternoon. There was much to discover…
A glass of bubbles helps make planning for Chicago Gourmet so much more fun!
Food!
From Duck Inn’s duck fat hot dogs to RL Restaurant’s savory short ribs sliders with peppercorn aioli, there was a nibble to suit everyone’s taste. I loved the jerk chicken with collard greens and macaroni and cheese at the NBC Chicago & Josephine’s Cooking tent as much as the wagyu beef from Japan Wagyu and, despite the longest line of the afternoon, the seafood treats from the Supreme Lobster Pavilion. Of course, my mouth is still watering as I recall the taste of melted brie on freshly baked cinnamon bread (and grilled!) and sensations from the BBQ tasting pavilion featuring Art Smith of Chicago q, Eddie Nero from Big Ed’s BBQ, Barry Sorkin from Smoque BBQ, and others.
Later in the afternoon, I couldn’t get enough of the mushroom flan with truffle and squab consommé and black olive oil or the hot potato and leek soup with French fries and nitro poached vanilla ice cream. Perhaps you’ve tasted these two incredible dishes already. I certainly hadn’t… Hungry yet?
Chicago Gourmet is a foodie paradise!
Drink!
The tasting tents on the lawn of Millennium Park highlighted a bevy of choices from some of my favorite wineries: SIMI Winery, Mercer Wine Estates, The Prisoner Wine Company, Peter Yealands, Barossa Valley Estate, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, C. Mondavi and Family, Wente Family Estates, Siduri Wines, Louis Latour, Achaval Ferrer, and many more. Beer was available at the BBQ, Beer and Bourbon Pavilion for those needing a break from the grape. Love spirits? Tippy Cow Rum Cream, Travis Hasse Distilling Co., and Ocean Organic Vodka were just a few showcased. And what’s not to love about a delicious cocktail offered from a passed tray as you are thinking about where to sip next?
A separate ticket was required to gain access to the Grand Cru tasting held at the Harris Theater Rooftop from 2:00-4:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. There, I discovered premium spirits and wines from around the world. Champagne, Bordeaux blends, reds, whites, roses, whiskies, and scotch were curated especially for this high-end tasting that catered to the favored few. I was in heaven! It was difficult for me to be judicious in my sips of the Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque 1999, Pol Roger Brut Rose Champagne 2006, Wente Vineyards “The Nth Degree” Chardonnay 2014, Opus One Overture NV, or the Corton Grand Cru Domaine Latour Aloxe 2011, but somehow I managed.
Selections from the Grand Cru Tasting and Lawn Tasting Tents
Demonstrations! Seminars!
If only there had been more time on that incredible Sunday afternoon… I missed Larry Stone, MS, of Quintessa and Huneeus Vintners as he led a seminar “An Evening with Quintessa”. Likewise, I was at the Grand Cru Tasting as Alpana Singh, MS, of The Boarding House/ Terra & Vine/Seven Lions along with Ricardo Jarquin of Travelle Kitchen + Bar guided seminar attendees to “Raise Your Glass for a Fancy Toast”. I was thrilled, though, to spend forty-five minutes with Fred Dame, MS, who enticed me to learn more about and enjoy several glasses of Merlot deliciousness in his seminar, “Wine’s Favorite Pastime: Merlot!”
What’s not to love about a luscious glass of Merlot? In this seminar, there were six.
Cooking demonstrations were entertaining and interesting. I loved “Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese” presented by Jimmy Bannos of Heaven on Seven, John Hogan of River Roast, and Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia (and I have now vowed to get more creative with my grilled delights…or at least visit their restaurants!). More demos? The Bon Appetit Main Stage was packed as John Coletta of Quartino and Daniel Holzman of The Meatball Shop presented “Meatballs! Rolling from the Big Apple to the Windy City”. As a finale to the day, Silvia Bertolazzi, Gelato Product Specialist for Carpigiani for the Americas, shared “Gelato Making 101” at the Bon Appetit Culinary Stage.
Food is Art
Chicago Gourmet is, for me, a benchmark by which all food and wine events I attend are compared. This year, Chicago Gourmet was a gallery of masterpieces. The artwork of a perfectly arranged appetizer, the soulful music of a fine wine, and the drama of the food and wine process itself were just a few of the elements that created a stunning experience. Bravo, Chicago Gourmet. I’ll return in 2017.
Cindy with members of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at the Grand Cru Tasting
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Note: Special thanks to those at Isabelli Media Relations who offered me a complimentary press pass to Chicago Gourmet. Cheers to you!
