Celebrity chefs, new events abound at Chicago Gourmet 2015

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Chicago Gourmet today announced some of the celebrity chef lineup for this year’s extravaganza, Sept. 25-27 in Millennium Park.

This year’s event boasts 150 restaurants and chefs, and  hundreds of wineries, breweires and spirit makers, as well as family-friendly events. Eleven tasting pavilions will be featured, including a full-out Global BBQ, Beer and Bourbon Pavilion; a Big Green Eggs pavilion (showcasing chefs’ renditions of grilled and smoked fare); and two pavilions dedicated solely to the foods of Mexico and Italy.

The chef lineup includes:

•Emeril Lagasse (Emeril’s Restaurants)

•Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Pump Room, Jean-Georges Restaurants)

•April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig, The Breslin)

•Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO)

•Paul Kahan (Avec, Big Star, Blackbird, The Publican, Publican Quality Meats, Nico Osteria)

•Jose Garces (Mercat a la Planxa, Rural Society)

•Gale Gand (Spritzburger)

•Art Smith (Table fifty-two, Art and Soul, LYFE Kitchen, Southern Art)

•Sara Moulton (Chef, cookbook author and television personality)

•Lorena Garcia (Lorena Garcia Cocina)

•Jimmy Bannos Jr. (The Purple Pig)

•Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia, Bar Toma, Terzo Piano, River Roast)

•Takashi Yagihashi (Slurping Turtle)

(More to be announced at a later date).

Here’s the schedule of events:

September 25

Lunch with Emeril; Venue TBD, 12:30pm to 2:00pm. Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse, along with the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation, hosts this fundraiser/tribute to the late Chef Charlie Trotter. A multi-course lunch and an exclusive preview of Chef Lagasse’s new book will be featured. Proceeds will benefit the Charlie Trotter’s Culinary Education Foundation.  Location/price to be announced at a later date.

Hamburger Hop; Harris Theater Rooftop, 205 E. Randolph, 6 to 9 p.m. Top area chefs as they do battle in a burger competition while guests enjoy gourmet burgers, along with beer, wine, spirits, and more. A celebrity panel of judges determines the city’s Best Burger award, while guests crown the People’s Choice.

Late Night Gourmet, The Underground, 56 W. Illinois. Cap off the evening with music from one of Chicago’s hottest DJs, latenight  bites and libations.

September 26

Millennium Park

—Noon to 6 p.m. – Main Event

—2 to 4 p.m. – Grand Cru. The ultimate in culinary indulgence with elite wines from vineyards from around the world paired with decadent bites from award winning chefs. Tickets: $199 + general admission;  The Grand Cru is separately ticketed and a same day Main Event ticket must also be purchased in addition to purchasing a Grand Cru ticket.

Punch Kings, Pigs n’ Tiki, Harris Theatre Rooftop; 8 to 11 p.m.. Check out twelve of Chicago’s most respected barkeeps in action and taste their creations as they go head-to-head competing for the best Tiki-inspired punch bowl. Ten heritage pig farmers will line the rooftop’s perimeter, each partnering with a notable chef to present a unique spin on the traditional pig roast. Price: $75 (21+over)

September 27

Rise & Shine Gourmet, Maggie Daley Park; 8 to 11 a.m. For the first time in its eight-year history, Chicago Gourmet introduces a morning of wellness, family and food. Participate in a sunrise yoga class led by a premier instructor and a family fun run/walk along the skating ribbon.  Partake in brunch tastings from area eateries. Lineup of participating chefs to be announced at a later date. Price: $55 for adults ages 13 and over; $15 for children ages 6 to 12; free for children under 5 years.

Chicago Gourmet, Millennium Park

— Noon to 5 p.m. – Main Event

2 to 4 p.m. – Grand Cru (a separately ticketed event and also requires a general admission ticket to Chicago Gourmet)

Complete pricing/tickets are available at www.chicagogourmet.org.

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