Chicago Gourmet Ancillary Events Now On Sale

Turn up the volume on culinary harmony this fall with Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet.
To “amp” up for its 11th year, the event is getting in the groove with seven ancillary events in addition to the Main Event and Grand Cru, September 29 - 30.

Attendees of the ancillary series will mingle with headlining chefs as they jam out to one-of-a-kind dinners, tastings and cocktail parties throughout the Windy City. The lineup includes chefs who have championed Chicago Gourmet since year one; new, emerging talent to watch; and both homegrown and national celebrity chefs who have become synonymous with the Chicago Gourmet experience.

Rock the Fork by celebrating all things food and music throughout the city with events on sale now including:

1. September 26, 7-10 p.m.: Italian Feast on the Symphony Center Stage ($225/person) – Presented by Performance Foodservice, this impressive feast features Italian favorites on the stunning Chicago Symphony Center Stage and will feature world-class chefs and musicians, creating a delicious and euphonious concerto throughout the evening. Courses will be composed by Italian favorites as Tony Mantuano and Joe Flamm (Spiaggia), Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern), Joe Sasto (Cal Mare), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno, Nonnina, Maillard Tavern), and Federico Comacchio (Coco Pazzo).  
2. September 27, 6-9 p.m.: Blues, Booze & Bites at River Roast ($75/person) – Chicago Gourmet brings the soul of the culinary world to the foodie stage every year. This year, chefs sing the blues center stage at River Roast with guitars, harmonicas and drums. Get your back-stage pass to see John Hogan (River Roast), Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Terzo Piano, River Roast), Jeff Mauro (Pork & Mindy’s), Bruce Kalman (UNION, Knead and Co. Pasta Bar + Market) and Cedric Harden (River Roast) rock Chicago for one night only while enjoying bites and booze.  
3. September 28, 12-2 p.m.: Battle of the Masters ($200/person) – Join Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits’ Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado at Swift & Sons for the oenophile’s trifecta – wines, cuisine and song. Nine master sommeliers and two masters of wine – some of whom include Alpana Singh MS (The Boarding House, Terra & Vine), Joseph Spellman MS (Justin Vineyards & Winery) and Madeline Triffon MS (Plum Market) – compete head-to-head as they pair both wine and song with delicious dishes.  
4. September 28, 6-9 p.m.: Hamburger Hop on the Harris Theater Rooftop ($125/person) – The annual burger bash, presented by Buckhead Meat Chicago and Blue Moon Brewing Co., is back, this time with a boombox twist! In celebration of #FlashbackFriday, throwback jams will spin as chefs compete to be crowned Peoples’ and Judges’ champion. Bon Appétit magazine’s Editor in Chief Adam Rapoport returns as the evening’s host, alongside a panel of celebrity judges.  
5. September 28, 9 p.m.-midnight: Late Night Gourmet, presented by Chicago magazine at The Underground ($50/person) – Immediately following the Hamburger Hop, guests can groove their way over to acclaimed celebrity lair, The Underground, for bites, cocktails and DJ beats.  
6. September 29, 8-11 p.m.: Global StrEATS on the Harris Theater Rooftop ($85/person) – Take a trip around the world, no passport required. Global flavors and sounds reign supreme with musical stylings from near and far coupled with international street fare created by chefs including Rodelio Aglibot (The Food Buddha), Diana Davila Boldin (Mi Tocaya Antojería), Rohini Dey (Vermilion), Lorena García (Chica Las Vegas, Lorena García Tapas, Lorena García Cocina), Carlos Gaytán (HA'), Takashi Yagihashi (Take Home Takashi, Tabo Noodles, Slurping Turtle), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia, Proxi) and more.  
7. September 30, 8:30-10:45 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Rise & Shine Gourmet at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel ($40/person) – Presented by Lifeway Foods, guests can start their Sunday off with a professionally guided, energizing yoga session at a landmark property. First opened in 1893, the Chicago Athletic Association was painstakingly restored into a highly lauded, 21st century boutique hotel. Following each yoga session, guests can feed their soul (and their belly) with brunch bites and morning cocktails presented by Chicago’s favorite chefs.

For more details and to buy tickets, visit chicagogourmet.org.