FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR: BON APPÉTIT PRESENTS CHICAGO GOURMET 2015 Chicagogourmet.org Facebook.com/ChicagoGourmet @Chicago_Gourmet #Chicago_Gourmet Chicago Gourmet Vimeo Channel
CONTACT: IMR Janet Isabelli |Blythe Beaubien [email protected] | [email protected] (312) 878-1222 ______
NEW IN 2015: CHICAGO GOURMET ANNOUNCES NEW EVENTS, CELEBRITY CHEF HEADLINERS AND MORE!
Tickets Now Available
(Chicago, IL; June 11, 2015) – Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet is thrilled to announce a stellar lineup of engaging ancillary events, celebrity chefs, tasting pavilions and more – all new in 2015. A tiki-inspired heritage pig roast? Check. Family friendly fun at the Maggie Daley Park? Check, check. Headliners like Emeril Lagasse, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, April Bloomfield, Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan and more? Check, check, check.
Learn more:
NEW 2015 EVENTS Punch Kings, Pigs n’ Tiki – presented by COCHON 555 and Chicago Gourmet Saturday, September 26, 2015 Harris Theater Rooftop 8 to 11 p.m. $75 per person
Tiki culture is sweeping the nation, and Chicago is no exception. Embracing this festive trend, Chicago Gourmet has teamed up with the masterminds behind COCHON 555 U.S. Tour and Punch Kings to present the best of both notable events at the first, Chicago city-wide edition of Punch Kings, Pigs n’ Tiki. Held from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 at the Harris Theater Rooftop in Millennium Park, guests will see twelve of Chicago’s most respected barkeeps in action and taste their creations as they go head-to-head in competing for the best Tiki inspired punch bowl. And it gets better. In the most mouth-watering food pairing imaginable, ten heritage pig farmers will line the rooftop’s perimeter, each partnering with a notable chef to present a unique spin on the traditional pig roast.
A portion of the proceeds from Punch Kings, Pigs n’ Tiki benefits the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) Educational Foundation (IRAEF), which works to build the future Illinois hospitality workforce through scholarships, career exploration and development programs for high school students. Tickets are available now at www.chicagogourmet.org.
Rise & Shine Gourmet Sunday, September 27, 2015 Maggie Daley Park 8 to 11 a.m. $55 for adults; $15 for children 12 and under; Free for children under 5 years
Foodie families unite! For the first time in its eight-year history, Chicago Gourmet introduces a morning of wellness, family and food with the addition of Rise & Shine Gourmet. Held Sunday, September 27 at Maggie Daley Park, attendees will participate in a sunrise yoga class while taking in serene, breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s famed architecture. A family fun run/walk will also take place on the park’s famous skating ribbon, giving guests a chance to “earn” their eats!
After breaking a sweat, families will celebrate the day with tastings from Chicago’s famed brunch locales.
A portion of the proceeds from Rise & Shine Gourmet benefits Pilot Light, whose mission is to empower all children with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to have healthy relationships with food. Tickets are available now at www.chicagogourmet.org.
Developing Event – Lunch with Emeril Friday, September 25, 2015 12:30 p.m. In addition to his participation at the Main Event, Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse, along with the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation, will host a very special, Chicago Gourmet lunch in Chicago Friday, September 25. This fundraiser is a tribute to Chef Charlie Trotter. Guests will enjoy a multi-course lunch and an exclusive preview of Chef Lagasse’s new book. Proceeds will benefit the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation. Further details and tickets will be announced soon.
NEW AT THE MAIN EVENT Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet Millennium Park Saturday, September 26, 2015 – Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2015 – Noon to 5 p.m. Pricing available here
James Beard Award-Winning Chef Headliners Chicago Gourmet has announced this year’s headlining star chefs. Nearly all James Beard Foundation Award winners, these luminaries will grace the Bon Appétit Main Stage, sign their books and share their food, passion and expertise with attendees. They include: Emeril Lagasse (Emeril’s Restaurants) Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Pump Room, Jean-Georges Restaurants) April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig, The Breslin) Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO) Paul Kahan (Avec, Big Star, Blackbird, The Publican, Publican Quality Meats, Nico Osteria) Jose Garces (Mercat a la Planxa, Rural Society) Gale Gand (Spritzburger) Art Smith (Table fifty-two, Art and Soul, LYFE Kitchen, Southern Art) Sara Moulton (Chef, cookbook author and television personality) Lorena Garcia (Lorena Garcia Cocina) Jimmy Bannos Jr. (The Purple Pig) Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia, Bar Toma, Terzo Piano, River Roast) Takashi Yagihashi (Slurping Turtle) And more to be announced!
These celebrity chefs join an unparalleled talent lineup of more than 180 chefs and restaurants citywide – including numerous James Beard Foundation Award finalists and semi-finalists – who will represent their restaurants throughout the weekend.
Please Your Palate This year’s eleven tasting pavilions bring more chefs, more flavor, more food! Along with familiar favorites, four new tasting pavilions in 2015 will satiate the hungriest of event goers. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the newly added BBQ pavilion in 2014, Chicago Gourmet is taking things to a whole new level. The Global BBQ, Beer and Bourbon Pavilion, presented by COUNTRY Financial, has become a full-on feast housed in the entire South Promenade tent – complete with live music provided by everyone’s favorite rock station, 93XRT. The Big Green Egg showcases chefs’ best renditions of all things grilled and smoked, while the vibrant cuisine of Mexico takes center stage at a newly added pavilion presented by the Mexico Tourism Board and The Italian Invasion spotlights both traditional and contemporary Italian fare.
For the wine and spirits lover in all of us, presenting sponsor Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois presents engaging wine seminars available to Main Event attendees. 2015 brings new sessions like Silver Oak: The Evolution of an American Icon. Guided by Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado, this seminar dives into the innovation and unyielding commitment to sustainability that has kept Silver Oak at the forefront of American viticulture for more than four decades. Also new in 2015 is Diamond in the Dark, a sensory experience where guests are blindfolded throughout a tasting journey of special wines from Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s flagship Diamond Collection. Led by Henry “Hoby” Wedler, a blind University of California at Davis graduate student of organic chemistry, the tasting explores how flavors and aromas in wine are heightened by simply tasting wines in complete darkness.
Attendees will also participate in new, interactive cocktail sessions, where they will shake, stir and sip with Southern’s seasoned mixology experts – Bridget Albert and Natalia Cardenas – as well as special guests from their favorite spirit companies.
Support the Future of the Industry In 2014, Chicago Gourmet raised more than $110,000 for the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation, the Kendall College Charitable Trust and other non-profit organizations crucial to the future of the hospitality industry. The team plans to exceed giving in 2015 to these entities as well as the James Beard Foundation and Pilot Light through its Beyond Gourmet series, newly added events in 2015 and the annual online auction, which goes live in September.
Schedule-At-A-Glance Friday, September 25 Lunch with Emeril Venue TBD 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Hamburger Hop Harris Theater Rooftop 6 to 9 p.m.
Late Night Gourmet The Underground – 56 W. Illinois, Chicago 9 p.m. to midnight
Saturday, September 26 Chicago Gourmet Millennium Park 11:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremony (for press only) 12 to 6 p.m. – Main Event 2 to 4 p.m. – Grand Cru presented by Eimer Stahl LLP (a separately ticketed event and also requires a general admission ticket to Chicago Gourmet)
Punch Kings, Pigs n’ Tiki – presented by COCHON 555 and Chicago Gourmet Harris Theatre Rooftop 8 to 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 27 Rise & Shine Gourmet Maggie Daley Park 8 to 11 a.m.
Chicago Gourmet Millennium Park 12 to 5 p.m. – Main Event 2 to 4 p.m. – Grand Cru presented by Eimer Stahl LLP (a separately ticketed event and also requires a general admission ticket to Chicago Gourmet)
Pricing and tickets are available at www.chicagogourmet.org.
Sponsors Chicago Gourmet 2015 is made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: Bon Appétit magazine (title sponsor), Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois (presenting sponsor), Illinois Restaurant Association, JCDecaux, CS Modern Luxury, Choose Chicago, American Express, Target, COUNTRY Financial, Eimer Stahl LLP, Beam Suntory, WINTRUST, Ruffino, Moët Hennessy USA, US Foods, Nestlé Waters North America, Stella Artois, American Airlines, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Absolut Elyx, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, RumChata, Hyatt Regency Chicago, The Langham, Chicago, The Patrón Spirits Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Mariano’s, Barilla, Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, The Big Green Egg, Verterra, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Supreme Lobster & Seafood Co., CSI, Labriola Baking Company, Edge Showtek and Eventbrite.
Chicago Gourmet media partners include Chicago Sun Times, Eater, Edible Chicago, NBC 5 Chicago and 93XRT.
For more information, please visit www.chicagogourmet.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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ABOUT BON APPÉTIT Bon Appétit is where food and culture meet. The award-winning No. 1 food lifestyle brand covers food through the lens of cooking, fashion, travel, design, and home. Under editor in chief Adam Rapoport, the brand has been nominated for 18 National Magazine Awards, including wins in 2014 for General Excellence and Photography; 12 James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards; and more than 50 Society of Publication Designers (SPD) nominations including design, photography, and Magazine of the Year. Under Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Pamela Drucker Mann, the magazine was named the Advertising Age A-List Magazine of the Year in 2013 and “One to Watch” in 2014, and has been Adweek’s Food Magazine of the Year in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
ABOUT SOUTHERN WINE & SPIRITS Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. In addition, Southern has announced a pending strategic arrangement with Glazer’s Family of Companies in the center of the country—resulting in an incremental 8 markets to Southern’s existing footprint. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com.
ABOUT CHICAGO GOURMET Now in its eighth year, Chicago Gourmet, the nation’s premier culinary experience aimed at promoting Chicago’s world-class culinary community, takes place September 25-27, 2015. It was created by the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) and the Anton Family Foundation to celebrate and honor both Chicago’s culinary achievements and the creative vision of the chefs, Master Sommeliers, and wine-, spirit-, and beer-makers who participate. It also spotlights Chicago as an international culinary destination via its unparalleled epicurean talent. For more information, please visit www.chicagogourmet.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT THE ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. For more information, visit www.illinoisrestaurants.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.