ALL Roads Led to Chicago Gourmet

One of my favorite events to attend each year is Chicago Gourmet. I must admit I miss the huge 2-day walkaround tasting at Millenium Park, but I love that the festival adapted to the pandemic and still made a comeback! Now versus the two big walkaround tasting days there are various events to attend. All roads led to Chicago Gourmet September 21st – September 24th.

Attendees could head South of the Boarder and taco walk on the wild side at the Taco’s & Tequila event hosted by Rick Bayless. Or they could hop on over to Hamburger Hop hosted by Chef Stephanie Izard. There was also a late-night gourmet presented at TAO. Or if you wanted to get your Prost! celebration on you could head to Prost in the Park hosted by Chef Sarah Gruensberg. I went to that one last year and had a FANTASTIC time!

This year I got to cover the second session of the Grand Cru event. The Grand Cru, presented by United Health Care and Lexus, is the loveliest way to spend a Saturday. Curated by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, we got to enjoy the finest wines & spirits from coast to coast, gourmet food, cocktails, lively music, and more! We we’re surrounding by great talent providing the drinks and eats for the evening:

Nikhil Abuvala – Roux 30a and Nanbu Noodle Bar
Thomas Belval-Sanna – L’Atelier des Agustins
Ryan Brosseau – Dear Margaret
Maya Camille-Broussard – Justice of the Pies
Aaron Cuschieri – The Dearborn
Niccolo Giugni – Razzo/Italian Foodstyle
Justin Gomes – Travelle at the Langham
Andrew Lownes – Gibson Italia
Lamar Moore – Bronzeville Winery
Martial Noguier – Bistronomic
Kwame Onwuachi – Tatiana NYC
Sangtae Park – Omakase Yume
Anna + David Posey – Elske
Tony Priolo – Piccolo Sogno
Darnell Reed – Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Mona Sang – Khami Cambodian Fine Dining
Pat Sang – Oki Sushi
Jose Sosa – UMMO
Sarah Stegner – Prairie Grass Cafe
Malvin Cydric Tan – Cebu
Fabio Viviani – Siena Tavern Bar Siena
DeAnn Wong – Sake Specialist and Sommelier – Miru
Maciek Zurawski – Grillin with Dad

I must admit that evening the spirits booths were my favorite and calling my name. Some favorites were Jefferson’s Tropics Whiskey, Midleton Very Rare Whiskey, and the On the Rocks Premium cocktail Jalepeno Pineapple flavor. Such a good event to find your next favorite beverage!

Chicago Gourmet programming benefits the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF), a 501 (c)(3) dedicated to building and promoting the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in both youth and workforce. Head to Chicagogourment.org for more details.

Looking forward to Next Year! 🙂