This past weekend, Chicago Gourmet, one of the city's premier food events, made its mark not only for its scrumptious culinary creations, but also for its eco-friendly progress. For the first time in the festival's 16-year history, attendees could spot visible recycling and composting bins throughout the grounds, according to a recent Eater Chicago article.
While the upscale food festival has always been known for celebrating the finest chefs and their creations. Sponsored by the Illinois Restaurant Association and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the festival comprises a series of events held this week, offering guests the chance to indulge in delicious fare created by some of the city's top chefs exclusively for the event.
Besides the incorporation of recycling and composting efforts, festival organizers also made sure to donate any leftover food to shelters. Such steps toward eco-friendly practices showcase a notable shift in mindset for an event where upscale dining takes center stage.
Chicago Gourmet's lineup has been truly enticing for food enthusiasts. The festival kicked off on Thursday with Tacos & Tequila, hosted by Chef Rick Bayless and featuring delectable tacos and premium tequila, as reported by the official Chicago Gourmet website. It continued with a series of delightful events, like Hamburger Hop, presented by DoorDash, and the exquisite Grand Cru, which allowed participants to savor world-class wines and spirits along with fine cuisine.
Sunday's lineup included the family-style brunch event, Rise & Shine Gourmet, hosted by Chefs Art Smith and Lorena Garcia at Navy Pier, as well as the closing Oktoberfest-themed event, Prost! In The Park, which featured a selection of beers and gourmet dishes for attendees to sample.
Notable chefs who participated in this year's event included James Beard Award semifinalist Rodolfo Cuadros of Amaru and Bloom Plant Based Kitchen, Dominique Leach, the pitmaster behind Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Patty Neumson of Herb, Edgewater's fine dining masterpiece, and Joe Flamm of Rose Mary, one of Fulton Market's biggest openings in the last five years, according to the Eater Chicago article.
