Star chefs serve up a gourmet taste of Chicago
MILLENNIUM PARK | $150-a-head food, wine expo draws 3,000
Three thousand people brought appetites to Millennium Park on Saturday for the inaugural Chicago Gourmet, a $150-a-head food and wine expo, featuring star chef demonstrations and tastings.
"These are kind of the glory days of Chicago restaurants," said Chicago chef and expo supporter Rick Bayless. "One of the things people like is we have many great chefs, and they're all doing different kinds of food."
(Tom Cruze/Sun-Times)
Weather -- with temperatures in the 80s -- favored the event that was sponsored by the Illinois Restaurant Association to promote fine dining in the city. It's modeled on Aspen's $1,200, three-day Food & Wine Classic.
The show, continuing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, attracted 50 percent more visitors Saturday than expected.
Even Mayor Daley was cooking, assisting chefs during exhibitions.
"It's fascinating to be a sous chef,'' Daley said after helping in a demonstration by Paul Bartolotta of Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare.
Food offerings included duck confit by Bravo TV's "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard, cheeses from Fox & Obel specialty foods store, and A Mano's olive oil-flavored gelato.
Most of the 40 booths, however, poured wine, making for long lines at those exhibitors serving food.
"We've had lines of 25 to 30 people all day because we're one of few vendors actually serving food," said Chaise Lounge owner James Lasky. "It's been a great boon for the restaurant and getting the word out about what we do."