2025 Chicago Gourmet – Hamburger Hop
I went, I saw, and I concurred. YEP I stepped up to the plate and attended Chicago Gourmet this past weekend. The rooftop of the Harris theater was the place to be September 25-28.
Chicago Gourmet powered by Invesco QQQ, brought the ultimate flavor experience. The culinary event of the year had an awesome lineup that included all-star chefs and sports-inspired events.
The theme was “Step Up To The Plate”- a celebration of the shared passion, energy, and excellence found in both food and sports. “Chicago Gourmet is a celebration of the unmatched talent, innovation, and hustle that define our city’s food scene,” says Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “Just like in sports, excellence in hospitality comes down to precision, passion, and teamwork, and Chicago’s chefs continue to prove they’re playing at an elite level.”
The Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park was transformed into culinary arenas. The pre-game action started earlier this year, with a new Culinary World Series of summer preview dinners and events designed to get food fans fired up ahead of the September main event weekend festivities.
Chef Sarah Grueneberg
I attended:
- Hamburger Hop
- Late Night Asian Market
- Grand Cru
Check out my experience HERE!
Chefs Joe Flamm & Sarah Grueneberg
Hamburger Hop was Hosted by Chefs Joe Flamm & Sarah Grueneberg, the all-star event was packed with juicy burgers, icy brews, fine wines & spirits, and DJ beats as 16 chefs went grill-to-grill.
Hamburger Hop – Photo Cred: Chicago Gourmet
After careful consideration by a panel of celeb and food pro judges, Chef Bob Gallagher of Gibsons Restaurant Group was crowned the Judges’ Award winner for major league flavor, creativity, and presentation. His winning Gibsons Gold Coast Burger was made with Sysco Prime Certified Angus Beef, Kerrygold Dubliner cheese, smoked gouda roasted shallot aioli, butcher-cut peppered bacon, vinaigrette-tossed micro greens, on a Turano brioche bun.
The crowd also got in on the game, casting their votes for their favorite burger using Blue Moon bottlecaps. Chefs James Sanders and Nick Kleutsch of Sanders BBQ Supply Co. came out on top, earning the People’s Choice Award for their Bacon Jam Burger, made with Sysco Prime Certified Angus Beef, maple bacon jam, bleu cheese crumble, red onion, pickles, on a Turano brioche bun.
The champs took home cool burger-shaped trophies, a magnum of Caymus Wine, along with fun packages provided by Sysco that included a Yeti Hopper Cooler, Ninja Coffee Maker, Carbon Powdered Steel Cleaver, three cookbooks, and, of course, bragging rights.
For more info on these fabulous events head to Chicagogourmet.org
See YOU next year!
The food at Grand Cru – Session One did not disappoint.
Check out my Grand Cru experience HERE
