Foodie Fridays: Fascinating Food Events In Chicago

The Arts of Life, a Chicagoland non-profit arts studio for adults with and without disabilities, will once again showcase the area’s best and tastiest chili at their 3rd annual Half Acre Charitable Chili Cook-Off on November 5, 2011 starting at 5PM.

Like the last two successful years, the cook-off will be at 2010 W Carroll Ave and this year, attendants should expect even more fun and yum!

Twenty-four entrants from around the Chicagoland area will provide a variety of chilies including vegetarian and vegan friendly entries. Guests can also partake in fresh brewed Half Acre Beer, a cool down from George’s Ice Cream and Sweets, and rock out with The Arts of Life Band at 7pm! 

The esteemed judge’s panel with the difficult task of choosing this year’s top chili includes representatives from Half Acre Brewery, George’s Ice Cream and Sweets, Arts of Life Artists, and Chicago food bloggers - Chicago Food Whores, Feed Susan, and Chicago Bites. 

Chicago-based performance artist Smiley Thims will be Master of Ceremonies for the event and ensures that the cook-off will be an even hotter ticket than last year!

Tickets for the cook-off are now on sale for $10 and will be available at the door for $15.For more information or to enter the cook-off sign on here.

The Southern hosts its 2nd Annual Fall Pig Roast on Saturday, November 5th.  Featuring Pigs by Chef-in- Residence, John Manion, and guest Chef Rob Levitt of Butcher & Larder. 

$40 includes as much swine, sides and Shiner Bock as you'd like. Get your tickets while they last here.

 

Wednesday, November 9th, the Celebrity Chef Tour stops in Chicago to showcase the talents of three of Chicago's most notable chefs - Ben Roche (Moto), Dirk Flanigan (The Gage), and Jonathan Beatty (Davanti Enoteca) - at Mercat a la Planxa.  Hosted by another celebrity chef, Cory Morris (Mercat) and with the assistance of mixologist, Mike Ryan (Sable Kitchen & Bar), the event includes an evening of chef-led courses with beer and wine pairings.

The Celebrity Chef Tour benefits the James Beard Foundation and over the past eight years has raised over $950,000 for the Foundation.

For tickets go here.

Just got word that NBC-5's LeeAnn Trotter will be hosting the dinner!

LuxeHome at Merchandise Mart cordially invites you to attend the Fifth Annual CHILL Event, featuring superb wines from winemakers worldwide paired with cuisine from distinguished chefs amidst the ambiance of the world’s largest collection of premier boutiques for homebuilding and renovation.

Meet 30 Top Chefs, experience 150 premium wines, and help benefit 3 charities including; The Lynn Sage Foundation, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.

Tickets are available here.

The Great American Cooking Expo takes place November 12 & 13. Two wonderful days of sampling, savoring, and discovering the best foods, beers, wines and products available in today’s culinary marketplace.

Taking place at Arlington Park Racecourse, this event will excite the tastes and curiosities of cooking enthusiasts from all over the Chicagoland area.

Come ready to sample fine wines & fantastic foods, watch live chef demos & taste their exquisite culinary creations! Take time to relax in the Beer and Wine Gardens and see the newest trends & cooking gadgets on the market.

This 2-day tasting extravaganza is the perfect way to inspire the creative chef within you with recipes, food preparation techniques, beverage pair suggestions and products that will transform your everyday meals.

Your Admission To the Great American Cooking Expo Includes:

• Expo Program Guide
• Gourmet Food Sampling
• Wine Sampling
• Money Saving Coupons
• Preparation Techniques
• Recipe Suggestions
• Gift Giving Ideas

For tickets and show hours click here.

For the 13th year, Food & Wine will host the Entertaining Showcase featuring the latest entertaining tips and trends featuring wine experts, leading chefs, plus wines and spirits from around the world.

The Showcase lands in Chicago on November 14th at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and features top chefs including; Grant Achatz (Next), Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Bill Kim (Belly Shack), Carrie Nahabedian (Naha), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate), Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two), Paul Kahan (Blackbird) and others.

For more information and to purchase tickets online go here.

It's not too soon to start planning for this New Year’s Eve. Be among the first to experience Girl and the Goat in a way it’s never been experienced before. 

James Beard nominee & Food and Wine's Best New Chef 2011, Stephanie Izard will transform Girl & The Goat into the city’s greatest foodie cocktail party.

Izard and her team will set-up chef stations and provide passed canapés along with an open bar of artisanal beers, crafted cocktails, and pre-selected wines. 

Things kick off at 8:30 PM, and DJ David Ochs will spin until 130 AM. Space is limited and only Goats 21 and older with proper I.D. are allowed.

Purchase your tickets here.