Chicago Gourmet has become my Christmas. I have started to look forward to it like no other time of year and I count down the days like a child with an advent calendar. Just like the holidays, I can’t wait to sample all of the delicious foods, see familiar faces and there is always anticipation of a surprise or two around the corner.
As I was driving to Chicago Gourmet at Millennium Park this weekend, I started singing (a tone-deaf version of “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”)…..
It’s beginning to look a lot like Chicago Gourmet
Everywhere I go
Folks in crisp white coats
Steph from Girl & the Goat
With food from every great place in Chicago
It’s beginning to look a lot like Chicago Gourmet
Lots of wine to pour
But the prettiest sight to see
Is food in front of me
I can’t wait to go for more
So this year I thought I’d share my adventure via pictures like Christmas cards posted on the wall and thank everyone who participated. Chicago Gourmet is truly a gift that never disappoints and I will start my countdown until next year immediately!
Tim Graham-Travelle, White gazpacho panna cotta with shrimp escabeche
Bumped into Greg Laketek of West Loop Salumi at the Grand Cru
Cafe de Architectes Stone Fruit Bavarois
Chef Mario Garcia and Mark Brand from 720 South Bar & Grill (and my pals from my cheese -cation!)
Dirk Flanigan’s creation from The Keeping It Local Demo
Tom Van Lente’s “local” contribution to the Keeping It Local Demo
Lockwood’s DELICIOUS Chicken and Waffles
Housemade Salumi Sandwiches from Quartino
Iron Chef Morimoto
Classic Shrimp Cocktail from Mike Ditka’s
Park Grill Chicago
Salmon tartar on a tarro root chip, Pearl Tavern
Andrew Knowlton, the Foodist from Bon Appetit
Chef Kevin Hickey manning the BBQ for Rockit Ranch
Bon Appetit Editor, Adam Rapoport
Bistronomic’s play on a Kit Kat bar
Rodelio Aglibot, Yum Cha Dim Sum Parlor
One of my favorites, Chef Tony Priolo
Beatrix had a great muffin assortment.
Butterscotch Corn Bread Pudding from Francesca’s
ZED 451 Stuffed Peppadews
Antique Taco: Pumpkin Habanero Soup with spicy pumpkin seeds
Iron Chef Judge, Mario Rizzoli
Great use of our last summer tomatoes by Thai Dang at Embeya
Lobster salad on sweet corn macaroons puff by 720 South Bar & Grill
Monica Sharma from Red Butter making her debut in the Global Street Food Tent
Stephanie Izard plating for Girl & The Goat at The Grand Cru Tasting
Spritzburger Chef Dan Smith
Piccolo Sogno’s Wild Boar Meatball with squash puree
TWO Restaurant & Bar, Chef Tom Van Lente’s -Tomato, fennel puree (like a bisque) with lobster, scallop and shrimp
Hooray for Wisconsin Cheese at The Grand Cru
The Jellyfish Maki (not maki made with jellyfish!)
The Drawing Room, Corn and Fresh Scallops Elotes
Always a pleasure to enjoy a dish from Chef Zoe Schor from Ada Street.
Three Aces: Italian Sausage ragu over mushroom polenta
Bread & Wine: Caramel Corn Panna Cotta
Cooking With Kids Demo by Jonathon Sawyer (those are his real kids)
e + o
Adamus-Citrus Poached Bay Scallop Ceviche aka The last taste of summer
Street Food Love-In with Rodelio Aglibot and John Formica (standing in for Tony Hu who got stuck elsewhere due to the airline issues this week in Chicago)
Mercadito Fish Smoked fish dip on a garlic crostini with herb oil
Dirk Flanigan, il Coniglio
Po’Baby from Jared Van Camp
Carla Hall from The Chew…Hootie Hoo Hug!
My absolute favorite chef, Chef Cory Morris from Mercat a la Planxa
Howells and Hood: 72-hr char sui pork jowl, with sweet & sour carrots, huckleberry sauce and edamame
Glazed and Infused, Goat Cheese Donut with Red Wine Glaze
Chef John Coletta from Quartino
Jon Keeley’s creation from Gemini Bistro/Rustic House
Baby Rockit Burgers!
I saw lots of these glasses being filled with hundreds of wines
Chicken with a cream cheese filling, tamarind chutney and mint chutney, Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine
Candyality super cute way to stand out.
Mercat’s chicken croquette’s
Chef Takashi after his demo on Ramen for the Home Chef
The ‘fun factor’ radiates from all your photos, and I love how happy you look!!! Wish I could do Chicago Gourmet with you every weekend.
Thanks with helping with my pictures this year.
Oh, my! Oh, my! WOW!
It was a glorious weekend!!!