Chicago-born chef Elena Besser is bringing her dinner series, The Lineup, to Ravenswood Event Center for a Chicago edition featuring chefs from local restaurants. The format gives each invited chef a chance to present an individual menu for a single-night dinner, according to The Lineup’s ticketing page. The series says its dinners and other projects are intended to bring diners closer to the cooks behind their meals, through its platform.
A pop-up format in an event venue
The setting distinguishes these dinners from a typical restaurant visit. Ravenswood Event Center describes itself as an industrial loft venue for weddings and events, rather than a conventional restaurant. The Lineup account describes two seatings and a starter followed by five numbered courses for each dinner; the venue’s description suggests guests will experience that menu in a dedicated event space.
The announced lineup includes Mexican-influenced cooking as well as more formal seafood dishes. Derek Serrano, chef de cuisine at Mi Tocaya Antojería, is listed for the opening dinner with a menu that names ingredients and suppliers including Kilgus Farm and Three Sisters Garden. Colin McHugh, chef de cuisine at Oriole, is associated with butter-poached Maine lobster and Black Cod Roulade with sunchoke beurre, crispy sunchoke skins, nori and black lime; pickled enokis are listed with the venison course. Luis Diaz, sous chef at Giant, is listed for the closing dinner, with duck barbacoa burritos, masa fresca gnudi and seared cornbread with hoja santa ice cream.
November dinner dates
The three dinners are scheduled for November 5, November 12 and November 19; the year is unclear. The ticketing page also says seating is communal and assigned in advance, and that dietary substitutions or accommodations are not available.
Chicago food events
Chicago Gourmet’s calendar lists a Global Stage Dinner at Pritzker Pavilion and an Asian Night Market at Zhou B Art Center on September 23.
The Chicago edition follows The Lineup’s New York seasons. Time Out Chicago reported that the series was coming to the city after nine sold-out seasons in New York, while Time Out New York’s earlier coverage describes the series’ prior dinners. The Chicago announcement’s schedule and booking details remain the essential next checks for anyone planning to attend.
