Taste of Chicago, the city’s largest outdoor festival, gets under way at 11 a.m. Saturday in Grant Park. To help you navigate through the mind-boggling number of food vendors and free entertainment, we’ve put together this handy guide, using information from the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
Once you know the basics, Taste is a breeze. Admission is free. You buy food and drink coupons, which are sold in sheets of 10 coupons for $6. No item costs more than eight tickets, and many cost considerably less. You can buy coupons at on-site ticket booths (Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa accepted) or at area Dominick’s Finer Foods stores.
There are a few new features at Taste this year. The Gourmet Dining Pavilion will feature one or two of Chicago’s more upscale restaurants each day, serving tastes of their fare (if you want to sample Charlie Trotter’s food without paying Charlie Trotter prices, head over on Thursday). A California wine garden will feature selected California vintners each day. A sports pavilion offers patrons a “taste” of basketball, soccer, mountain climbing and more. And an “Eat Your Art Out” fair is a juried display of area artworks.
Also this year, you’ll find lots more seating, including four tented areas, so Taste should be more comfortable.
One of the ongoing complaints about Taste has been the too-large portions, which make grazing difficult, or at least expensive. This year, there is a solution of sorts: From 2 to 5 p.m. daily (except July 3), Taste booths will offer mini-portions of selected menu items for one to three tickets each. (To those who argue that this is what Taste should have been doing all along, we say: It’s a start.)
CTA, RTA and Metra are the most sensible ways to get to Taste (traffic can get pretty ugly). Routing information is available by calling the RTA/CTA Travel Information Center at 836-7000 (312 or 708); the TDD number is 312-836-4949.
Have fun, and remember to pack extra Wet-Naps.
MUSIC AND FUN TAKE THE STAGE
Saturday
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m. Taste of Chicago 15th Anniversary Celebration; a 2,000-pound Eli’s Cheesecake will be cut
6 p.m. Trisha Yearwood, the Grant Park Symphony, Junior Brown
Taste Stage
All day. Learn to line dance, courtesy of Cadillac Ranch
12:30 p.m. Country Music Battle of the Bands
3 p.m. Bryan Scott (rockabilly)
4:15 p.m. Special Consensus (bluegrass)
5:30 p.m. Frank Paul and The City Slickers (country)
6:45 p.m. 5 Chinese Brothers (country-folk rock)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show featuring Hamburglar
12:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent, Prophecy
1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show featuring Hamburglar
2:15 p.m. Jesse White Tumbling Team
3 p.m. The Balsters (magic)
4:30 p.m. The Melchior Marionettes
5:30 p.m. Bob Whitcomb (juggling)
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent “Country Kickoff”
Noon. Chef Charmaine Rickette, Rickette’s Restaurant
1 p.m. Chef Salvador Huerta, Salvador’s Mexican Restaurant
2 p.m. Chef Chris Rook, Morton’s of Chicago
3 p.m. Chef Jerry Pelikan, Stanley’s
4 p.m. Chef Joel Nickson, Wishbone Restaurant
5 p.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Sunday
Petrillo Music Shell
2 p.m. Diamond Rio, George Ducas and Joy Lynn White
Taste Stage
All day. Learn to line dance, courtesy of Cadillac Ranch
12:30 p.m. Country Roads Band (tribute to John “Katman” Katzbeck)
1:45 p.m. Moonshine Willy (alternative country)
3 p.m. Orbit Ponies (country)
4:15 p.m. Frontier (country)
5:30 p.m. The Waco Brothers (country rock)
6:45 p.m. Wylie and the Wild West Show (country western)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11 a.m. Mr. Taps (tap dancing)
12:30 p.m. Dan LeMonnier–Folk Songs & Foolery
1:30 p.m. “Be A Star” (country karaoke)
3:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Musical Magic Show featuring Grimace
4:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
5:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Musical Magic Show featuring Grimace
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. Chef Lou Bastion, Blackhawk Lodge
1 p.m. Chef Joe Doppes, Taylor Street Bistro
2 p.m. Curtis Aikens, author of “Greengrocer`s Guide to the Harvest” and host of Television Food Network’s “Meals Without Meat”
3 p.m. Chef Joseph Agustin, the Westin Hotel
4 p.m. Rosie Daley, author of “In The Kitchen With Rosie, Oprah’s Favorite Recipes”
5 a.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Monday
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. Underwater People (pop rock)
1:45 p.m. AC Rock (a cappella rock)
3 p.m. Rommel (pop)
4:15 p.m. Back In Time (nostalgic vocal group)
5:30 p.m. Guy Lawrence & Chideco Zydeco (zydeco)
6:45 p.m. Together (pop/Motown)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Haugan School Chorus
12:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald’s “You & Me & Ecology” Show
1:30 p.m. Meet Birdie from McDonaldland
2:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald’s “You & Me & Ecology” Show
3:30 p.m. Dave Rudolf (silly songs)
4:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
5:30 p.m. Dave Rudolf (silly songs)
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. Chef Michael Van Dinther, Nick’s Fishmarket
1 p.m. Chef Patrick Crane, Sage’s
2 p.m. Gardening with the Chicago Botanic Garden (herbs and other food-related plants)
3 p.m. Chef Jack Jones, Daniel J’s Restaurant
4 p.m. Chef Brett Knobel, Brett’s Restaurant
5 p.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Fox Stage
Noon. Fox Jazz Showcase Luncheon with Just Friends
2 p.m. Eric Lambert & The Laughing Gnomes (blues/jazz/rock)
4 p.m. Love Kit (alternative pop)
6 p.m. Fox Music Spotlight: Gullibanque
Tuesday
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m. Poi Dog Pondering, Timbuk3
9 p.m. AT&T Laser Spectacular synchronized to music
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. Molly & the Tinker (Irish folk/comedy)
1:45 p.m. Light Years (rock)
3 p.m. The Lonely Boy Supper Club (bluegrass)
4:15 p.m. Howard & The White Boys (blues)
5:30 p.m. Gail Renee Trio (jazz)
6:45 p.m. Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio (blues)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Ella Jenkins (sing-along star)
12:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
1:30 p.m. Joel Frankel (folk singer)
2:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Safety Show
3:30 p.m. Dance with Mac Tonight
4:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Safety Show
5:30 p.m. David Fishel The Rope Warrior (jump rope stunts)
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. Chef Tim Bowen, Knickerbocker Hotel
1 p.m. Chef Jill Rosenthall, Vinyl
2 p.m. Robin Leach, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Cookbook” author, host of “Robin Leach: Talking Food” (TV Food Network)
3 p.m. Chef Christian Gaborit, Cafe De Paris
4 p.m. Chef Helmut Sussenbach, Hotel Inter-Continental
5 p.m. Guest Chef from Nabisco
Fox Stage
Noon. Fox Jazz Showcase Luncheon with Anne Pringle
2 p.m. Crankbait (funk/rock)
4 p.m. J.P. & The Cats (classic rock)
Wednesday
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m. “Classic Rock Fest” starring Foghat, Edgar Winter Group, Badfinger
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. Blue Skies (jazz vocal ensemble)
1:45 p.m. Wildwood (Midwest rock)
3 p.m. Hinda Hoffman (jazz)
4:15 p.m. Jah’nya Nas (reggae)
5:30 p.m. Rico (Latin rock/Motown)
6:45 p.m. Danny Kravitz (soft pop)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show
12:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent “Crazy Pandas”
1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show
2:30 p.m. Just Fiddlin’ Around with Laurie Caanan (country fiddlers)
3:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
4:30 p.m. GiGi Harris & The Happiness Club (music by Chicago-area children)
5:30 p.m. The New Life Performance Company (African-American dancers)
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. Cake decorating with Margaret Lastick, Le Royale Icing
1 p.m. Chef Deborah Tunney Buffington, Ann Sather’s
2 p.m. Chef Norbert Peissert, Buckingham’s Steakhouse at the Chicago Hilton and Towers
3 p.m. Chef Gambino Sotelino, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
4 p.m. Chef Agustin Sanchez, Como Inn
5 p.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Fox Stage
Noon. Fox Jazz Showcase Luncheon with Scott Marsalis
2 p.m. Joan Baby (blues)
4 p.m. Whiskey Bent (country)
Thursday
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m. “70’s Dance Fever” starring K.C. & The Sunshine Band/ Village People
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames (blues)
1:45 p.m. The Orange Hunters (modern rock)
3 p.m. Mojo Hand (Cajun music)
4:15 p.m. Bethany Pickens (jazz)
5:30 p.m. Lynne Jordan and The Shivers (R&B)
6:45 p.m. Cathy Richardson (rock ‘n’ roll)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Chic Street Man (kids’ R&B)
12:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Reading Show
2:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent “Rachel Brown”
3:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Reading Show
4:30 p.m. Chic Street Man (kids’ R&B)
5:30 p.m. Double Dutch Champions
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. Chef Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter’s
1 p.m. Flower Arranging with the Chicago Park Distriet, Lincoln and Garfield Park Conservatories
2 p.m. Chef Jacky Pluton, Carlos’
3 p.m. Chef Peter Schonman, Vivere
4 p.m. Chef Rudy Paniagua, Bistro Europa
5 p.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Fox Stage
Noon. Fox Jazz Showcase Luncheon with Anne Pringle
2 p.m. The Beatle Brothers (Beatles music)
4 p.m. Picture Perfect with Sara B. (R&B/dance)
June 30
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m. The P-Funk Party with George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars featuring Parliament/Funkadelic
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. Tirzah (adult contemporary)
1:45 p.m. The Sound (a cappella))
3 p.m. All Night News Boys (pop rock/alternative)
4:15 p.m. Chick Rodgers & Moments Notice (blues/R&B)
5:30 p.m. Kenning & Company (original rock)
6:45 p.m. Keith Eric & Waterhouse (reggae)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Kathleen Gibson’s Cookie Crumb Club (sing-along)
12:30 p.m. 9th District Youth Gospel Choir
1:30 p.m. Steve Rashid & the Woodside Avenue All-Stars (Parents Choice Award winner)
2:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
3:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Safety Show
4:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent: Elizabeth Kuepker
5:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Safety Show
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. “The Right Fork” Etiquette Class
1 p.m. Cooking with “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding”
2 p.m. Alexandra Stoddard, lifestyle expert and author
3 p.m. Chef Paul LoDuca, Mare
4 p.m. Chef Jean Claude Poilevey, Le Bouchon
5 p.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Fox Stage
Noon. Fox Jazz Showcase Luncheon with Herb Walker & Friends
2 p.m. Chicago Voice Exchange (a cappella)
4 p.m. Orange Hunters (modern rock)
6 p.m. Housemarys (modern rock)
July 1
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m. Tom Jones with special guest 911 Mambo
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. CL Star (R&B)
1:45 p.m. Urban Twang (alternative country)
3 p.m. Denise Clark & Tina Bryan (contemporary gospel)
4:15 p.m. Wilding (ethnic pop)
5:30 p.m. Rainey Harris (pop/R&B)
6:45 p.m. 78(cents) (a cappella)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Ronald McDonald Musical Magic Show featuring Grimace
12:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent: Maliachi Accro
1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Musical Magic Show featuring Grimace
2 p.m. Special Music by Special People
2:30 p.m. Sooz the Jazz Mama (kids’ jazz)
3:30 p.m. Mary Ann’s Stars (jazz, tap, ballet performed by youth)
4:30 p.m. Chic Street Man (R&B for kids)
5:30 p.m. Nelson Gill (lullabies to reggae)
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
Noon. Chef Michael Kornick, Marche
1 p.m. Zepter Cookware representative Lonnie (Mrs. Muhammad) Ali and Chef Sami Signorino, Piatti
2 p.m. Chef David Kozuh, Bella Vista
3 p.m. Chef Christopher Ala, Chef Paul
4 p.m. Chef Dan Kelly, Hyatt Regency Chicago
5 p.m. Guest chef from Nabisco
Fox Stage
Noon. Second Chance (rock/blues)
2 p.m. Big John Howell & The Born to Boogie Band (country rock)
4 p.m. Owen Meany (alternative pop)
July 2
Petrillo Music Shell
3 p.m. “The Q101 Alternative Concert” (TBA)
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. The Anointed Ones (gospel)
1:45 p.m. The Beatle Brothers (60’s rock ‘n’ roll)
3 p.m. Rosalind Sanders (contemporary gospel)
4:15 p.m. Gary Lee Kirkpatrick (country)
5:30 p.m. Rush Hour (electric jazz)
6:45 p.m. The Chicago Catz (R&B)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Sooz the Jazz Mama (kids’ jazz)
12:30 p.m. Player’s Workshop Children’s Theatre presents “Kid’s In Control”
1:30 p.m. GiGi Harris & The Happiness Club (music by Chicago-area children)
2:30 p.m. Player’s Workshop Children’s Theatre presents “Kid’s In Control”
3:30 p.m. High Energy Trivia (game show)
4:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show featuring Hamburglar
5:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent: Krooked Minds
Nabisco Chef Demo Tent
“Salute to the Soaps”: Stars of ABC-TV’s “Loving,” “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” cook with Chicago’s chefs.
Noon. Chef Cory Gerber, Toulouse on the Park
1 p.m. Chef Jean Louis Montecot, Yvette Wintergarden
2 p.m. Chef Michael Kuhn, Farrago
3 p.m. Chef Didier Durand, La Boheme
4 p.m. Chef Jolene Worthington, Eli’s Cheesecake
5 p.m. Gourmet cookware and appliance raffle
Fox Stage
Noon. Light of Love (gospel)
2 p.m. Fat Nut, ACME Recording Artists (alternative rock)
July 3
Petrillo Music Shell
7:25 p.m. 18th Annual 3rd of July Concert: The Grant Park Symphony, conducted by Hugh Wolff, performs.
9:30 p.m. Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. The Muck Bros. (Irish rock)
1:45 p.m. Dede Sampaio (Brazilian jazz)
3 p.m. Lonnie Brooks (blues)
4:15 p.m. Gizzae (reggae)
5:30 p.m. Mr. Blotto (rock)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Dave Kinnoin (children’s song writer)
12:30 p.m. Lou DelBianco (storytelling)
1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show
2:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew Talent: Fade Squad
3:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show
July 4
Petrillo Music Shell
3 p.m. 4th of July Concert, the Freddy Jones Band, General Public, the Chris Duarte Group
Taste Stage
12:30 p.m. Vincent Green & Seventh Avenue (contemporary jazz/pop)
1:45 p.m. Chicago Voice Exchange (a cappella)
3 p.m. The Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band
4:15 p.m. The Fabulous Fish Heads (rock/blues)
5:30 p.m. S.O.L. (R&B/hip hop)
Ronald McDonald Fun Stage
11:30 a.m. Nelson Gill (music from Central America)
12:30 p.m. Dave Kinnoin (children’s song writer )
1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show
2:30 p.m. Fantasia Juvenil (dances of Central America)
3:30 p.m. Lou DelBianco (storytelling)
4:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show
5:30 p.m. McDonald’s Crew
Fox Stage
Noon. Bedbugs (pop rock)
2 p.m. Jimmy D. Lane & The Blue Earth (blues)
