Latest news with #CulinaryWorldSeries
Time Out
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Popular food festival Chicago Gourmet is returning to Millennium Park this fall
Foodies will be excited to learn that a popular Windy City culinary event will return to Millennium Park this fall. Chicago Gourmet, the annual food-themed festival, will run from September 25 through September 28 at the Harris Theater Rooftop. This year's theme, "Step Up to the Plate," will meld the worlds of sports and food. This includes a series of "Culinary World Series" events throughout Chicagoland this summer, leading to the fall festival. This consists of the baseball-themed Game Day Gourmet that took place on July 25 and featured iconic ballpark foods and drinks like beer, wine, cocktails, and the "Duck Inn Dog Showdown," which will allow chefs to showcase their own, elevated takes on the iconic summer staple: the hot dog. On September 14, there will also be a Gourmet Tailgate at Utopian Tailgate. On September 20, there will be a chef pickleball tournament at SPF Chicago and a dinner to pay tribute to Jackie Robinson and James Beard Award winners Erick Williams and Damarr Brown at Virtue. When Chicago Gourmet officially kicks off, the first event is Tacos & Tequila with chefs Rick Bayless and Marco Carbajal on September 25 on the Harris Theater Rooftop. There, you'll be treated to mouthwatering cocktails from top local chefs, premium agave-based spirits and specialty cocktails. Traditional music and dance performances will provide good vibes. The next event is Hamburger Hop, hosted by chefs Joe Flamm and Sarah Grueneberg on September 26. A mix of Northside and Southside chefs will showcase their best burgers paired with thirst-quenching beers and flavorful cocktails. The Grand Cru, Chicago Gourmet's most popular event, will take place on September 27 on the Harris Theater Rooftop. Hosted by chefs Stephanie Izard and Karen Akunowicz, it's the shining moment of Chicago Gourmet. The best chefs in Chicago will pair their top dishes with epic wines and spirits. It's so popular that there are two different sessions. On September 28, the last event is the Rise & Shine Gourmet hosted by chefs Art Smith, Lorena Garcia, and Jernard Wells. This breakfast-themed event featured top chefs serving brunch favorites paired with cocktails.
Eater
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Chicago Gourmet Returns With a Sports-Centric Events Lineup
Chicago Gourmet, the annual food festival in Millennium Park that showcases local chefs and restaurants, returns this fall with a jam-packed lineup of events. The culinary celebration runs from Thursday, September 25, to Sunday, September 28, at the Harris Theater Rooftop, and tickets are on sale now. This year's Chicago Gourmet theme is 'Step Up to the Plate,' a nod to the food and sports worlds. The weekend's biggest attraction, Grand Cru, will go down across two sessions on Saturday, September 27, and feature dishes from a star-studded cast of chefs — Bailey Sullivan (Monteverde), Jenner Tomaska (Esmé, the Alston), Rob Levitt (the Publican), Gene Kato (Momotaro), and many more — paired with fine wines and spirits. Oenophiles can also attend Somm Sessions on Friday, September 26, at Adalina, where top Chicago sommeliers will pair wines with songs to accompany dishes. Another returning favorite is Tacos & Tequila on Thursday, September 25. Hosted by Rick Bayless, the event highlights tacos from local chefs like Diana Dávila (Mi Tocaya Antojería) and Carlos Gaytán (Tzuco), agave spirits and cocktails, and traditional music and dancing. The popular Hamburger Hop, a competition between 14 chefs to see who can make the best burger, happens the night of Friday, September 26. Some of the names battling it out will be Joe Fontelera (Boonie's), former Chicago Bears player Israel Idonije and Stephen Gillanders (the Staley), and Jose Sosa (the Greggory). After the Hop, the festivities will continue at the Asian Late Night Market at Tao Chicago. This new event, hosted by Haisous chef Thai Dang, offers Asian bites and specialty cocktails from Henry Cai (3LP), Bo Fowler (BiXi Beer), and more. Those who love to brunch can check out Rise & Shine Gourmet on Sunday, September 28. The daytime bash brings together a collection of talents who will serve sweet and savory plates to go along with cocktails and live music. Participating chefs include Dominique Leach (Lexington Betty Smokehouse), Devon Quinn (Eden), Paul Fehribach (Big Jones), and Aaron Cuschieri (the Dearborn). Also new this year is a series of Culinary World Series events throughout the city leading up to Chicago Gourmet. Centered on the 'Step Up to the Plate' theme, these activations feature bites delivered with a side of sports. Cubs and White Sox fans can root for their team at Game Day Gourmet on Friday, July 25. Held in a private suite at Rate Field, the evening will offer the opportunity to watch the Crosstown Classic in style while enjoying ballpark fare, cocktails, wine, beer, and the 'Duck Inn Dog Showdown,' which challenges chefs to put their spins on the classic hot dog. Other events include a Gourmet Tailgate at Utopian Tailgate on Sunday, September 14, a chef pickleball tournament at SPF Chicago on Saturday, September 20, and a special dinner honoring Jackie Robinson with James Beard Award winners Erick Williams and Damarr Brown at Virtue. The full list of Culinary World Series experiences is available here. Tickets to all Chicago Gourmet events are on sale now via the official website. Eater Chicago All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Time Out
11-06-2025
- 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.
