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| Chef Tony Hu of Lao Sze Chuan |
Last weekend Chicago put on its culinary event par excellence, Chicago Gourmet! Chicagoans and visitors alike doled out a nice piece of change to attend this event! C-Style was privileged to have been able to cover the event for the 2nd year in a row, and commends everyone who plays a role in putting on this magnificent "feastival!"
The three-day event kicked off on Friday night with the popular Hamburger Hop! Judges
John Besh (Besh Restaurant Group),
Lin Brehmer (WXRT),
Sheamus Feeley (Hillstone Group),
Sue Ontiveros (Chicago Sun-Times),
Nick Roach (Chicago Bears), and
Keith Villa (Blue Moon Brewing Co.), picked
Yoshi Katsumura of
Yoshi's Café as the winner. His burger featured a panko-crusted fried green tomato along with brie cheese, micro wasabi and smoky Asian style BBQ sauce.
Saturday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined
Bon Appetit's Editor in Chief
Adam Rapoport and the magazine's Restaurant and Drinks Editor,
Andrew Knowlton along with
Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois and
Illinois Restaurant Association officials
at the main stage for a champagne toast to help kick-off the day's activities.
Many of the vendors had wonderful set-ups including
Target which had their own pavilion and featured dishes and wines available at their stores. One of the stand-out dishes was a very tasty
Marsala Chicken and Farfalle from Chef Giada De Laurentiis.
Another favorite of mine was the gelato from
Labriola Bakery Cafe' located in Oak Brook, Illinois. Flavors such as rum-flavored chocolate and sugar cookie made my taste buds very happy!
Long lines were the order of the day at tasting pavilions and at the
Stella Artois beer site. Guess everyone wanted their very own chalice!
The
Grand Cru on top of the
Harris Theater's rooftop was also delightful! Wonderful top vintners featuring wines and champagnes from Australia, Spain, France, and California made the cut. I tasted some of the same champagne served at Prince William and Princess Kate's wedding, ran into
NBC's LeeAnn Trotter, and talked to one of the few African-American sommelier's in the city, Wanda Cole of
Kendall College.
Taking a breather, I ran into a couple from Chicago's
Beverly neighborhood. They have attended Chicago Gourmet since its inception.
Carole and Simon Piller felt that the event had improved over the years except for the seating for tired consumers. "The seating isn't as good as it was in years past," Carole Piller offered. Yet, they are definitely in it for the long haul and plan to attend next year's event as well.
I wrapped up the day by speaking with two of my favorite gentlemen from New Orleans - Chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto of
Restaurant R'evolution - who had just wrapped up a tasting event before book signings and a main stage cooking demo featuring
Creole Turtle Soup.
Chef Folse is now preparing for a new series on PBS featuring seafood from the
Gulf. "It's a way to let viewers know that since Katrina and the unfortunate oil spill the seafood industry has recovered," he said.
Chef Tramonto updated me on the fact that R'evolution is now in full swing since its opening in June at the
Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans.
They both encouraged me to stop in and see them on my next visit to
NOLA - which I will definitely take them up on!
All in all, Chicago Gourmet is fast becoming
the place to be when it comes to culinary entertainment. You get to sample some of the best restaurants in the world, and discover things you've never thought of trying before.
Hope to see you all at Chicago Gourmet 2013!
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