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Chicago Gourmet 2014 Kicks Off with Hamburger Hop

Chicago Gourmet is an event that highlights the talent of top Chicago chefs from the best local restaurants in town. As per tradition, the event will kickstart with the famous Hamburger Hop, where Chicago chefs will showcase their unique burger creations. Guests will get to taste the burgers, along with beer, wine, and other booze. A … Continued

Spence Farm’s Annual Harvest Feast

A highlight from last year’s annual Harvest Feast to benefit the Spence Farm Foundation Imagine 10 outstanding chefs preparing you a feast, all made from local, fresh ingredients that benefits a good cause. On September 21st, that very feast is happening in Fairbury, IL. Ten chefs from Chicagoland’s top restaurants will be preparing dishes for … Continued

Great American Lobster Fest Coming to Chicago

Huge New England lobsters to be served fresh at the Great American Lobster Fest There’s been a lot about seafood in foodie news lately – National Oyster Day, National Lobster Day, Oyster Shucking Festivals, and more. Well, here’s something else to add to the buzz: Chicago’s first Great American Lobster Fest on August 16th and … Continued

National Oyster Day on Deck Tomorrow

Celebrate oysters on August 5th for National Oyster Day at Hugo’s or Tavern on Rush There’s a “National ____ Day” for just about everything on the planet. While I agree it’s getting a little out of hand, I’m partial to tomorrow’s event, which happens to be National Oyster Day, and Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House and Tavern … Continued

A Secret Event in the Most Obvious Place

The most hush-hush yet frou-frou dinner event you may have never heard of: Dîner en Blanc. With strict rules like seating arrangement and white attire, Dîner en Blanc may seem like something out of a movie, and that’s exactly the point. The whereabouts of the event are meant to be low-profile – that is, until hundreds … Continued

May St. Cafe Celebrates Fiesta del Sol

Let’s admit it, some Chicago food/neighborhood fests are overrated. Fiesta del Sol, however, is not. It’s long been the largest Latino festival in the Midwest. This year, Fiesta del Sol kicks off today and ends Sunday, taking place in the heart of Pilsen (1400 W. Cermak Rd). May St Cafe (1146 W. Cermak Rd.), one of … Continued

Doing Good by Eating and Drinking Well

Palate and presentation come together at the annual Taste of the Nation Chicago. One of Chicago’s most anticipated culinary events – The Taste of the Nation – is headed back on Wednesday, August 13th at Navy Pier in the Grand Ballroom (600 E Grand Ave). More than 85 renowned chefs and mixologists from all over Chicago will … Continued

Green City Market Launches Cookbook

Creamy polenta with braised greens and mushrooms – one of the recipes you’ll find in the new GCM Cookbook It’s easy to buy a bunch of seasonal ingredients at the Farmer’s Market; the hard part is often knowing how to cook them. The Green City Market is here to help. This month, GCM is out … Continued

Roscoe Village Burger Fest Firing Up Grills

Sizzling, juicy cheeseburgers at Roscoe Village’s Burger Fest Nothing says summer like a sizzling grill. Roscoe Village is turning up the heat once again this weekend, bringing us its 5th annual Burger Fest featuring fourteen different vendors. Head to Belmont and Damen between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The chefs will … Continued

Nick Kokonas Geeks Out with Restaurant Data

I found this talk – by the owner of Alinea, Next and The Aviary – to be geeky yet fascinating. Kokonas doesn’t bother assembling a Power Point deck, he simply shares internal documents and the results of his own company’s research, in determining how they take, accept and chart reservations. It’s from the recent Welcome … Continued