The event: Some 13,875 ravenous foodies converged on Millennium Park from Sept. 25-27 for the annual bacchanalia that could only be Chicago Gourmet, featuring hundreds of the finest restaurants, chefs, wineries, spirit makers and breweries.
The three-day bonanza featured small plates and amuse-bouches throughout the staple Hamburger Hop, as well as Punch Kings, Rise & Shine Gourmet and 11 tasting pavilions, which offered every conceivable combination of edibles from lobster dumplings and braised pork shoulder to peanut butter-banana s’mores inside ice cream cones.
While revelers flexed their consumption muscles, rock star chefs like Emeril Lagasse, and Chicago’s own Rick Bayless and Jimmy Bannos Jr. offered cooking demos and chatted up foodies eager to learn from the masters.
Cause célebre: It was year two inside the Grand Cru gourmet tent, situated on Harris Theater’s rooftop, for Park Ridge native and Purple Pig owner Jimmy Bannos Jr. Guests in the VIP area got to taste Bannos’ house-made smoked Spanish chorizo sandwich, “choripan,” on crusty Ciabatta bread with mustard and Greek yogurt.
“Perfect for a lot of wine,” quipped Bannos.
Returning for the third year, Mariano’s grocery store co-owners Nina and Bob Mariano hosted chefs who served up gourmet vittles including: Jimmy Nardello Italian peppers with octopus vinaigrette; wild boar ragout with sweet potatoes; cured salmon with dill; and Mariano’s own gelato pops in coconut, dreamsicle and Nutella crunch flavors.
“These chefs are unbelievable and they’re just knocking it out of the park,” said Nina Mariano, who also encouraged visitors to “support Chicago gourmet; it’s the city’s best talent.”
Bottom Line: The event raised $100,000 for the Illinois Restaurant Education Foundation.
