Chicago Gourmet 2017–Ten Years of eXtraordinary Deliciousness

There aren’t too many events I anticipate as much as I do Chicago Gourmet, the nation’s foremost culinary experience held in my home sweet home. This year, the ten (X) year celebration of Chicago Gourmet will occur on the weekend of September 23-24 at beautiful Millennium Park located on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Tickets are available now at Chicago Gourmet for daily entrance to the Main Event, Grand Cru, and pre-weekend bashes. Get ready to party!

 

Each day, live cooking demonstrations, informative seminars, fascinating exhibits, and a plethora of small bites to savor will be within your reach at the Main Event. The Grand Cru, a two-hour tasting of exceptional wines and perfect pairings, is ticketed separately; a same-day Chicago Gourmet ticket must be purchased.

 

Is your palate tantalized yet? They should be as you think about purchasing tickets to the “eXtraordinary Chefts – eXtraordinary Places” events that feature ten (X) awesome parties held in Chicago locations that many can only dream about.

How about Japanese Dinner Under the Stars on the Pritzker Pavilion Stage ($250/person) with dinner from Chef Takashi and New York’s Ivan Orkin from 7:30-10pm or Sweets and Beats: After Hours Dance Party with Mindy Segal on the Willis Tower Skydeck ($85/person) from 11pm-2am, both on Saturday, September 23? If you’re bright-eyed the morning after that festivus of food and drink, join others for Rise and Shine Gourmet at the Chicago Athletic Association ($40/person) on Sunday, September 24. Yoga, brunch, and cocktails will kick start a day of food and (more) beverages at Millennium Park!

 

On Thursday, July 20, tickets will be available for the September 22 Farm2Table Dinner on The 606 with gourmet food prepared by Rick Bayless, the incredibly popular Hamburger Hop at the Harris Theater Rooftop where new chefs and former Hamburger Hop winners will compete for the title of Peoples’ and Judges’ champion, and Late Night Gourmet at The Underground where bites, cocktails, and a cool vibe will reign. If you’re a lover of “haute dogs”, Ballpark Fare Goes Gourmet at The Park at Wrigley is where you’ll want to be on the evening of September 23. Jimmy Bannos (The Purple Pig), Paul Kahan (One Off Hospitality), Jeff Mauro (Pork and Mindy’s), Jason Vincent (Giant), and more have plenty of ways to make this evening one of the best. Of course, with Billy Dec, Chicago’s own celebrity-of-everything, how could it not?

 

Next to party-ready gourmands, winelovers, cocktail connoiseurs, bon vivants, and celebrities from around the world, eXtraordinary chefs, Master Sommeliers, producers of wine, beer, and spirits, and other greats on the food and beverage stage will be in attendance. Chicago Gourmet will continue to shine a bright light on the epicurean talent of Chicago creatives thanks to the continued sponsorship of Bon Appetit magazine and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, LLC.

Besides a satisfied palate, your philanthropic needs will be fulfilled. Chicago Gourmet’s programs directly benefit specific charities including Frontera Farmer Foundation, the James Beard Foundation, the Chicago Parks Foundation, and the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

I hope to see you at Chicago Gourmet at Millennium Park on September 23 and 24 for the most eXtraordinary birthday party yet!

Cheers~ Cindy