From the creators of Baconfest, Da Best Fest is a new chef tasting festival devoted to the dishes of the Chicago culinary landscape. Guests will sample new and traditional versions of all Chicago favorites, plus get to know a few lesser-known Chicago originals. Think Italian beef, hot dogs, pizza, flaming saganaki, jibaritos, aquarium-smoked rib tips, chicken Vesuvio, shrimp de Jonghe, malort, and more.
Da Best Fest debuts Friday, April 17, 2020, from 6pm-10pm at the UIC Dorin Forum (725 W Roosevelt). Ticket prices include the opportunity to try dishes from approximately 40 chefs and to try samples from participating exhibitors. All ticket types include seven (7) drink tickets redeemable for paired beer, wine, and cocktails.
Today, event organizers released a first look at the current line-up of participating restaurants.
312Chicago - Luca Corazzina
676 Restaurant & Bar - Dominique LeBlanc Beers
Bangers & Lace - Evanston
Berger Station - Ivan Gonzalez
Black Dog Gelato - Jess Oloroso
Cantina Laredo - Daniel Espinoza
Chicago Chop House - Martin Martinez
Cooking Skills Academy - Paul Guerrero
Four Star Artisan - Kurt Guzowski and Thomas Rice
Goose Island Brewpub - Henry Pariser
Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar - Guy Meikle
Hermosa - Ethan Eang Lim
Jim's Original - Betty Domagala
Labriola Chicago - Tim Donohoe
Le Bouchon
Links Taproom - Josh Bushnick
Mesler Kitchen - Matthew Cappellini
Michael Jordan's Steak House - Craig Couper
Orso's Restaurant
Osteria Bigolaro - Anthony Gargano
Phillipe C'est Bon - Phillipe Sobon
Pinstripes - Juan Gonzalez
Spacca Napoli - Jonathan Goldsmith
Stan's Donuts & Coffee - Susan Barnett
State and Lake Chicago Tavern - Nathan Sears
The Broken Barrel Bar - Bryant Anderson
The Duck Inn - Kevin Hickey
The Heritage - Nariba Shepherd
The Royal Grocer & Co. - Shane Graybeal
Victory Tap Chicago - Joseph Farina
World of Whirlpool - Luke Creagan
XO Marshmallow - Melissa Humphrey
Restaurant registration is still open and the roster is expected to change as the event approaches.
“Da Best Fest was born out of a love of Chicago’s home-grown cuisine and its distinctive neighborhoods,” said Seth Zurer, Co-Founder of Da Best Fest & Baconfest. “The fest will be a fantastic mix of classic takes and intriguing interpretations. It will be a great introduction to those not familiar with some of these canonical dishes, like The Mother-In-Law or Sweet Steak Sandwich. I hope to see some truly unique creations that take these beloved bites and turn them inside out to blow everyone’s minds. Da Best Fest will be a consumable love letter to Chicago and all of its delicious parts.”
From the creators of Baconfest, Da Best Fest is a new chef tasting festival devoted to the dishes of the Chicago culinary landscape. Guests will sample new and traditional versions of all Chicago favorites, plus get to know a few lesser-known Chicago originals. Think Italian beef, hot dogs, pizza, flaming saganaki, jibaritos, aquarium-smoked rib tips, chicken Vesuvio, shrimp de Jonghe, malort, and more.
Da Best Fest debuts Friday, April 17, 2020, from 6pm-10pm at the UIC Dorin Forum (725 W Roosevelt). Ticket prices include the opportunity to try dishes from approximately 40 chefs and to try samples from participating exhibitors. All ticket types include seven (7) drink tickets redeemable for paired beer, wine, and cocktails.
Today, event organizers released a first look at the current line-up of participating restaurants.
312Chicago - Luca Corazzina
676 Restaurant & Bar - Dominique LeBlanc Beers
Bangers & Lace - Evanston
Berger Station - Ivan Gonzalez
Black Dog Gelato - Jess Oloroso
Cantina Laredo - Daniel Espinoza
Chicago Chop House - Martin Martinez
Cooking Skills Academy - Paul Guerrero
Four Star Artisan - Kurt Guzowski and Thomas Rice
Goose Island Brewpub - Henry Pariser
Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar - Guy Meikle
Hermosa - Ethan Eang Lim
Jim's Original - Betty Domagala
Labriola Chicago - Tim Donohoe
Le Bouchon
Links Taproom - Josh Bushnick
Mesler Kitchen - Matthew Cappellini
Michael Jordan's Steak House - Craig Couper
Orso's Restaurant
Osteria Bigolaro - Anthony Gargano
Phillipe C'est Bon - Phillipe Sobon
Pinstripes - Juan Gonzalez
Spacca Napoli - Jonathan Goldsmith
Stan's Donuts & Coffee - Susan Barnett
State and Lake Chicago Tavern - Nathan Sears
The Broken Barrel Bar - Bryant Anderson
The Duck Inn - Kevin Hickey
The Heritage - Nariba Shepherd
The Royal Grocer & Co. - Shane Graybeal
Victory Tap Chicago - Joseph Farina
World of Whirlpool - Luke Creagan
XO Marshmallow - Melissa Humphrey
Restaurant registration is still open and the roster is expected to change as the event approaches.
“Da Best Fest was born out of a love of Chicago’s home-grown cuisine and its distinctive neighborhoods,” said Seth Zurer, Co-Founder of Da Best Fest & Baconfest. “The fest will be a fantastic mix of classic takes and intriguing interpretations. It will be a great introduction to those not familiar with some of these canonical dishes, like The Mother-In-Law or Sweet Steak Sandwich. I hope to see some truly unique creations that take these beloved bites and turn them inside out to blow everyone’s minds. Da Best Fest will be a consumable love letter to Chicago and all of its delicious parts.”
Tickets available at dabestfest.com:
● General Admission: 7:00 PM -10: 00 PM: $75 + fees
● VIP Tickets: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: $130 + fees
Discounts are available for bundles, including tickets to Da Best Fest and Baconfest Chicago’s Saturday Dinner session.
● General Admission Bundles – $140 + fees: save $20 and get GA tickets to Da Best Fest and Baconfest Saturday Dinner
● VIP Bundles – $240 + fees: save $50 and get VIP tickets to Da Best Fest and Baconfest Saturday Dinner
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