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Time Out
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time Out
You can eat a tasting menu right on the NASCAR Chicago race track this summer
What's more thrilling than a high-speed NASCAR race? How about carb-loading right where the cars take off? This summer, Chicago Gourmet is rolling out one of its most daring (and delicious) experiences yet: a five-course Italian tasting menu served smack on the NASCAR Chicago Street Race track. On Wednesday, July 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the race's start/finish line will transform into the city's most unexpected fine-dining venue, blending Michelin-caliber cuisine with pit-lane vibes. As part of the Chicago Gourmet Festival's new 'Culinary World Series,' the event marks a high-octane kickoff to the city's biggest food celebration and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to toast with wine where tires usually burn rubber. The chef lineup is stacked with Chicago stars, including Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Joe Frillman and Leigh Omilinsky (Daisies) and Steve Maak (Levy Restaurants). The night's theme: bold Italian flavors, dished out trackside with flair. Diners can expect signature race-day cocktails from Jose Cuervo (the official tequila of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, naturally) and a "Cup Series" of wine pairings from legendary Italian winery Marchesi Antinori. There's even an emcee—culinary personality, Catherine De Orio—to steer the evening along. Tickets cost $250 per person, and proceeds benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the state's hospitality workforce. This isn't Chicago Gourmet's only sports-forward event this year. Friday, July 25, brings a Duck Dog face-off at the Crosstown Classic, and Wednesday, August 20 features led by chefs from Virtue.
Chicago Tribune
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Guide: 30 Chicago food and drink festivals for summer 2025
Festivals are one of the best parts of summer in Chicago, ranging from blowout concerts to small neighborhood parties. Food and drinks are key to any celebration, but sometimes they're the real headliners. The city and surrounding suburbs host annual bashes including burger competitions, beer and wine tastings, and celebrations of vegan fare. Enjoy the weather by heading to one of these 30 festivals. The Loop and Near North Side Chicago Gourmet The Illinois Restaurant Association's annual festival kicks off from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 25 with a night of tacos prepared by local chefs paired with cocktails and agave spirits. The next day, diners can feast on burgers and vote for their favorites from 6-9 p.m. and then continue the party with bites and cocktails at TAO Chicago from 9 p.m. to midnight. Chef Stephanie Izard hosts a grand cru tasting of wine and spirits from 2-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Sept. 27. Get a last taste of the celebration with brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., The Great American Lobster Fest Feast on a whole Maine lobster along with lobster bisque, lobster rolls and barbecue while browsing craft vendors and listening to live music. Aug. 16-17 at Navy Pier Beer Garden, 900 E. Grand Ave., Taste of Chicago Small versions of the annual celebration of Chicago's diverse culinary scene will be popping up in Marquette Park June 28, Pullman Park July 19 and Albany Park Aug. 9 before the main event on Sept. 5-7. Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive; free, Taste of River North Downtown restaurants serve up bites at the annual fest that includes wine and spirits tastings, a dog parade, live music and a family area. 5-10 p.m. July 18 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 19 at 627 N. Wells St.; 773-868-3010, Vegandale Vendors from around the world serve a wide range of vegan fare, including tacos, waffles, doughnuts and ice cream, at a bash featuring interactive art and music. Noon to 8 p.m. June 21-22 at Grant Park, Butler Field, 350 E. Monroe St.; tickets are $17-$40, Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest Sample tacos from more than 10 Chicagoland restaurants paired with beer, tequila and margarita flights while listening to live music. 5-10 p.m. June 27 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 at Wrightwood Park, 2534 N. Greenview Ave.; tickets are $10, 773-868-3010, Craft Brews at the Zoo Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo after hours, where tasting stations will be serving more than 100 craft beers and ciders from local producers, including Right Bee Cider, Pipeworks Brewing Co. and Revolution Brewing. The adults-only party also features live music from SideStreets, food trucks and yard games. 7-10 p.m. June 28 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $57-$67, 312-742-2000, Flavors of Albany Park Choose from one of four routes on the annual restaurant crawl to sample dishes from neighborhood spots. 5-8 p.m. June 25 at North River Commission, 3403 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets are $40, $25 for kids 12 and under, Horner Brew Fest Spend an evening in the park sipping beer and cider from more than 30 local breweries. Grab a snack from a food truck and catch live funk and soul from Bumpus. 6-10 p.m. July 18 at Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.; tickets are $44-$54, 312-719-1960, Lakeview Taco Fest Try a variety of tacos from local restaurants and vote for your favorite at the 12th annual bash, which also features seasonal beers, Mexican wrestlers, live music on two stages and kids activities. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 24 at 3500 N. Southport Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, Ravenswood on Tap The neighborhood's Malt Row brewing community offers special tappings alongside cocktails from Koval Distillery, live music, food vendors and ax throwing. Noon to 10 p.m. July 19 and noon to 8 p.m. July 20 at Ravenswood and Berteau avenues; $10 suggested donation, 773-975-2088, Ribfest Chicago The 25th annual barbecue competition features a bourbon and whiskey tasting, live music on two stages and a kids area. 5-10 p.m. June 6 and noon to 10 p.m. June 7-8 at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, Roscoe Village Burger Fest Burger vendors compete for your vote at the 18th annual fest, which also features two stages of live music with performers including 16 Candles and Hello Weekend. 5-10 p.m. July 18 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 19-20 at Fellger Park, 2000 W. Belmont Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, Summer Wine Fest Stroll through the Lincoln Park Zoo's gardens and animal habitats while trying more than 50 varieties of wine from 20 wineries. The annual party also features guided tours with the horticulture team, live music, lawn games and free carousel rides. 7-10 p.m. July 25 at 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $57-$67, 312-742-2000, Taste of Lincoln Avenue The 41st annual street festival features food, arts and crafts vendors, a tasting of eight Midwestern whiskeys curated by Delilah's ($20-$25), live music on two stages, a dog parade and a kids' carnival. 3-10 p.m. July 25 and noon to 10 p.m. July 26 at 2500 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, Taste of Polonia Billed as the largest Polish festival in the U.S., the Labor Day weekend celebration features tastings, a craft beer tent, and vendors selling pierogi, potato pancakes, blintzes, zapiekanka and other traditional fare. Tribute bands and comedians perform, and there are carnival rides, games and inflatables for the kids. 5-10:30 p.m. Aug. 29, noon to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 30-31 and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.; tickets are $10-$15, WingOut Chicago Try variations on wings from vendors including Jake Melnick's Corner Tap and Smoke Daddy and vote for your favorite at the 10th annual fest, which also features live reggae, soul and R&B music. 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. Aug. 30 and 1:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.; tickets are $20, Taste of Greektown Feast on Greek fare from neighborhood restaurants at the 35th annual celebration of Mediterranean culture, which also features performances from Greek bands and games. 4-10 p.m. Aug. 22 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23-24 at 315 S. Halsted St.; $10 suggested donation, 773-868-3010, Taste of Randolph After, ROOP, Gaijin and other West Loop spots serve up food and drink at the 28th annual street festival, which also features live music, DJs and kids activities. 5-10 p.m. June 13 and noon to 10 p.m. June 14-15 at Randolph Street between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue; $10-$15 suggested donation, Windy City Smokeout Twenty-two pitmasters from around the country, including Chicago's Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Smoque BBQ and Soul & Smoke, show off a wide variety of barbecue styles at the annual festival. You'll also find cocktails and performances from top country music stars, including Bailey Zimmerman, Kane Brown and Old Dominion. July 10-13 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets are $77-$163, Tacos Y Tamales Festival The annual celebration of Latin cuisine includes regional fare paired with beer, micheladas and margaritas plus art installations, music and dance performances. 5-9 p.m. July 18 and noon to 9 p.m. July 18-20 on Blue Island Avenue between Wolcott and Ashland avenues; $7 suggested donation, Bloody Mary Fest Try versions of the classic cocktail made with a wide variety of booze and other ingredients as mixologists compete to make the best drink. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, Blues, Brews and BBQ Try beer, mead and cider from local producers including Casa Humilde Cerveceria, Noon Whistle Brewing and Penrose Brewing while listening to music from Marty 'Big Dog' Mercer, Brother John and Windy City Rev Ups. Noon to 3 p.m. June 7 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; tickets are $68-$83, 630-968-0074, Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival Local restaurants and food trucks provide a variety of dishes in downtown Evanston, where you can also browse works from more than 150 artists. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at 800 Church St., Evanston; free, Garlic Fest Enjoy the taste and smell of garlic in pasta, sandwiches and spreads, as well as more unusual combinations such as cookies, cocktails, ice cream and cupcakes. 4:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, Inferno Fest Test your heat tolerance by trying spicy American, Italian and Mexican dishes, desserts and cocktails, and competing in a hot taquito-eating contest. Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band Wall of Denial performs and there will be other vendors for those who prefer their food mild. 4:30-9:30 p.m. June 25 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood; free, Naperville Ale Fest Local breweries, including Pollyanna Brewing Co., Solemn Oath Brewery and Half Acre, offer samples of more than 100 beers while Cheesie's Pub & Grub, Pierogi Rig and other food trucks sell snacks. Noon-5 p.m. July 12 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville; tickets are $60, Oak Park Microbrew Review More than 50 breweries pour a variety of beers, seltzers, ciders and spirits at the 18th annual fest, which also features local food vendors and live music. Noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at 1010 Lake St., Oak Park; tickets are $63-$73, Taste of Highland Park Try a variety of dishes and drinks from more than a dozen vendors, including Cafe Dacha, Pixca, Ordo and Mil Colibris Bakery & Cafe while listening to music from Too Hype Crew and Queen Flash. 5-10 p.m. June 20-21 at Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.; free, Taste of Oak Brook Celebrate Independence Day with food from Oak Brook restaurants, a beer garden tent, music from Sixteen Candles and DJ Speed, a drone show and a fireworks show at dusk. 4 p.m. July 3 at Village Sports Core Fields, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook,
Eater
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Revved Up Chicago Gourmet Returns in 2025 With a NASCAR Dinner
As Chicago's street festivals struggle, Chicago Gourmet is swinging for the fences in 2025 and leaning into the city's passion for sports. Organizers have announced a battery of events, including a dinner on the NASCAR Chicago Street Course with food from the chefs behind Bar Siena, Daisies, and Piccolo Sogno. Chicago Gourmet takes place annually each summer, with many of the city's best chefs and the country's most popular wine producers gathering at the Grand Cru in Millennium Park. Over the years, the event series has transformed. COVID forced it to reduce its footprint at the park while focusing more on ancillary events such as the Hamburger Hop, which crowns the city's best burger. Those tickets will go on sale in July. This year, the fest's theme, Step Up to the Plate, puts sports front and center, attempting to inject some excitement for fans. Lord knows, even with Pete-Crow Armstrong, that Chicago sports teams haven't been inspiring lately. While the Grand Cru will still take place on Saturday, September 27, at the Harris Bank Rooftop near Millennium Park, there are new events such as the aforementioned NASCAR dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, July 2, ahead of the third annual Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 5. Diners will eat a five-course meal at the start/finish line in what organizers bill as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But what if it's a success? We'll see how 2025 goes. Tickets, $250, are already for sale online. The chef lineup consists of Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena, Bombobar), Joe Frillman and Leigh Omilinsky (Daisies), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), and Steve Maak (Levy Restaurants). Then, on Friday, July 25, a lineup of chefs will be at the ballpark for Game Day Gourmet at the Crosstown Classic in concert with the Cubs' and White Sox's interleague games in July at Rate Field on the South Side. It's a hot dog competition to see whose upscale spin on a wiener will reign supreme. Chefs will be tasked with zhuzhing special Duck Dogs, a duck fat-infused frank made famous by the Duck Inn. Participating chefs include Duck Inn's own Kevin Hickey, Frontier and Ina Mae's Package Goods' Brian Jupiter, and Mirra's Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir. Win or lose, rain or shine, folks who shell out the $250 per ticket will get to sample the specialty sausages from a suite overlooking the game. Tickets are available for purchase online. Finally, Jackie Robinson may not have strong ties to Chicago, but Major League Baseball's first Black player is celebrated around the country. His No. 42 is retired by all teams, and all players wear the number during MLB's annual Jackie Robinson Day. James Beard Award-winning chefs Erick Williams and Damarr Brown of Virtue will host a tribute dinner to Robinson on Wednesday, August 20. A cocktail reception will precede a three-course dinner. Marqueal Jordan & The Wachezaji will provide the music. Tickets cost $225 per person and are available online. Proceeds benefit Virtue Leadership Development and the IRA Educational Foundation. Sign up for our newsletter.
Chicago Tribune
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Gourmet announces 2025 dates, new sports theme with a crosstown twist and all-star roster of chefs
Chicago Gourmet, the upscale food festival that celebrates the city as a 'culinary capital,' will return to Millennium Park from Sept. 25 to 28 with a new, sporty twist. This year's theme, 'Step up to the Plate,' is a marriage of food and sports, showcasing 'all-star chefs, big-time bites and championship-level sips,' said Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. 'Like pro sports, great food requires skill, strategy and passion,' Toia said. 'No doubt Chicago is a top sports town, but our restaurant teams are the real MVPs of the city.' Like in previous years, host chefs will collaborate with local businesses, restaurants and drink vendors over four days. Organizers said they will soon announce additional pre-game events. In the 18th iteration of the event since it began in 2008, the festival typically generates buzz around Hamburger Hop, a fan-favorite burger competition in which chefs compete to win the celebrity-judged award and the audience-judged People's Choice. This year's 'cross-town classic' Hamburger Hop will be co-hosted by Joe Flamm, chef and owner of il Carciofo and Rose Mary, who will represent the South Side, and Sarah Grueneberg, chef and co-owner of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, representing the North Side. 'This event has always been a Chicago Gourmet highlight and I'll be decked out in my beloved Cubbies jersey,' Grueneberg said. Flamm said he's excited about the added element of a crosstown rivalry to an already thrilling event. 'I love that Hamburger Hop is a chance for chefs from all around the city to show off their grilling skills while getting creative and having fun,' Flamm said. 'I've been a part of Chicago Gourmet for as long as I can remember, so being back to host an event like this again is a full-circle moment for me.' Hamburger Hop, hosted on the Harris Theater rooftop, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 26. Over 100 chefs and restaurateurs are slated to participate, including Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo), Marcos Carbajal (Carnitas Uruapan), Diana Dávila (Mi Tocaya Antojería), Jenner Tomaska (The Alston, Esmé), Norman Fenton (Cariňo), Israel Idonije (Signature, The Staley) and Jeff Mauro (Mauro Provisions). Other host chefs and ticket prices will be announced later, but many of the main events from previous years are scheduled to return. The crowd favorite Tacos & Tequilas will be hosted by Bayless and Carbajal on Sept. 25. Rise and Shine Gourmet, hosted by Art Smith, Lorena Garcia and Jernard Wells, will serve up sweet and savory brunch bites from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. Late Night Gourmet Asian Street Market — a new after-party addition hosted by chef Thai Dang of HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen — will be from 9 p.m. to midnight Sept. 26. Grand Cru on Sept. 27 takes inspiration from 'the greatest of all times,' such as Michael Jordan and Jordan Biles, and will be hosted by Stephanie Izard, executive chef and partner of four Chicago restaurants: Girl & the Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat and Cabra. 'I always say Chicago is the culinary capital of the world and Chicago Gourmet just highlights that each year,' Toia said. 'It's where talent, creativity and our city's enduring competitive spirit gets to shine.' Programming at Chicago Gourmet will benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, which works with high school students to build the hospitality workforce through career exploration. Ticket prices have not yet been announced but will be available starting in July at
