A Decade of Culinary Decadence at Chicago Gourmet

Sep 24

Sep 24 A Decade of Culinary Decadence at Chicago Gourmet

Fine Dining, Dining trend, Fresh, Food Photography, Chicago Philanthropy, Philanthropy, Eating locally, Food culture, Lake Bluff chef, Winnetka Chef, Food trend, Light Cuisine, Cheers!

Illinois Restaurant Association, 33 W. Monroe, Ste 250, Chicago. Ph: (312) 787-4000 or see: illinoisrestaurants.org | Chicago Gourmet, Millennium Park, 350 E Monroe Street, Chicago. See: chicagogourmet.org

By LEE A. LITAS | Trend Columnist

Event: After naming Chicago 2017 Restaurant City of the Year, Bon Appétit and festival owner/producer, Illinois Restaurant Association, present Chicago Gourmet. The three-day culinary festival features 12 Tasting Pavilions, Grand Cru tent, cooking presentations and every conceivable combination of epicurean food and beverage tastings.

Sponsors: Illinois Restaurant Association, founding sponsor and event producer; Bon Appétit, title sponsor; Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, presenting sponsor.

Honored Guests: Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended the opening ceremony on Saturday to help kick off the festivities with participating chefs and sponsors.

Benefitting: Proceeds benefit scholarships for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals

Location: Millennium Park, Chicago

Date: September 23

Attended: 14,526

Raised: The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Scholarships & Mentoring Initiative has provided more than $2.8 million dollars in scholarships to qualified students since 1973.

Lee Litas

Lee A. Litas is a seasoned journalist and photographer. Her passion lies in crafting moving narratives focused on lifestyle, cuisine and photography. Columnist previously for the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times and 22nd Century Media, Litas’ work has been featured in: The Advocate, ABC 7 News, WNDZ radio, Animation World Network, Association of Gaming Professionals (AGF), AE Freemart, Crain’s Chicago Business, Pioneer Press, Daily Herald, North Shore Magazine, Quintessential Barrington, American Spa Magazine, Medical Spa Report, Variety; Yo-Yoll (Italy), Dibunet (France), The Big Cartoon Forum, Bomond, CG Talk, Update Magazine, Kaliber10000; Svet Media, Reklama and 7 Days Russian Newspaper.

Website