This year's Taste will cost you a little more

June 11, 2008

BY CHERYL V. JACKSON cjackson@suntimes.com

Your taste will be more expensive this year.

The price of food tickets for the 10-day Taste of Chicago -- running June 27 to July 6 -- is going up, and the increase includes a 33 percent jump in the city service tax.

A strip of 12 food tickets will cost $8. That includes a $2-per-strip charge for city services, including trash removal and recycling. Last year, 11 tickets cost $7, including a $1.50 surcharge.

"Prices are going up for everything," said Veronica Resa, of the Mayor's office of special events, which coordinates the Taste.

Proceeds from the Taste fund other city special events.

If you want to avoid the $2 city service tax, you can buy food tickets at Dominick's grocery stores before the festival starts.

About 75 vendors will serve up 300 dishes. Pars Cove, which last year served hummus linked to the salmonella outbreak that affected more than 700 people and hospitalized 12, will not be among the vendors this year.

The Taste will be a little less country this year.

The Country Music Festival, which has run as a part of the Taste since 1991, is getting its own spot. The city is moving that music festival back to a stand-alone event, taking place Oct. 11-12 at Soldier Field.

Soul singer Chaka Khan leads off the music headliners this year with a June 27 show. Neo soulster Angie Stone opens for her.

Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Plain White T's, Bonnie Raitt and Aly & AJ.