It was a great turnout at the 6th annual Chicago Gourmet in downtown Chicago this past weekend. Presented by Bon Appétit and in partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association, this premier food and wine weekend is a great showcase for local industry professionals as well as many from across the world. The three day event offers something for anyone who enjoys great food and wine and wants to experience what the city has to offer amongst the beautiful backdrop of Millennium Park.
Highlights for me included the wine seminars and “smackdowns” between chefs throughout the weekend. If you were not able to attend the Grand Cru, the weekend lineup for regular ticket holders afforded you two days of wine seminars with some of the leading professionals in the wine industry. The smackdowns gave you an opportunity to hear the chefs talk about their culinary backgrounds as well as pick up new techniques and ingredient ideas. Some of my favorites included the wine seminar with Larry Stone (Faust and Quintessa) and the taco showdown between current Bravo’s Top Chef 11 contender chef Carlos Gaytan and chef Ángel Vázquez of Intro in Puebla, Mexico.
Looking forward to the 2014 event, mark your calendar for Chicago Gourmet, September 26-28, 2014.
