Summer is all about hot grills, cool drinks, and music. Combine those with a raffle all in the name of charity, and you have the most excellent of formulas for a perfect summer evening in Chicago. On Thursday, June 19 seventeen local chefs will compete in the seventh annual “Chefs on the Grill” event at The Plaza at Millennium Park located at the Park Grill (11 North Michigan Avenue).
Last year’s event benefitted Special Olympics and Mercat a la Planxa took home first place with their grilled Colorado lamb chops with ramp pesto, pickled ramps and migas. Who will win this year? You’ll have to attend to cast your vote and find out!
This year the fun, outdoor event benefits two charities: Common Threads and the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart program. Common Threads, founded by Chef Art Smith and artist Jesus Salgueiro, teaches children living in under-served communities how to cook wholesome, healthy meals in professional led, curriculum-based after-school programs. ProStart provides curriculum and scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing the culinary arts and management in the restaurant industry.
Each chef, assisted by two students from IRAEF, will create a grilled dish and attendees will taste samples and vote for their favorite. Participating restaurants will also provide a creative cocktail pairing and guests will be asked to vote for their favorite summery cocktail. New to this year’s event, guests will also enjoy a variety of local craft brews provided by awesome area breweries including Local Option, Ale Syndicate, Virtue Cider, Goose Island, Founders and Moody Tongue.
Live music by Chicago-based band “Murley” will begin at 6 p.m. and continue throughout the evening. A raffle will be held for such prizes as restaurant gift cards, hotel stays, spa packages, museum passes, event tickets and more. Raffle proceeds will benefit Common Threads and the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (IRAEF) ProStart program.
2014 Participating Chefs
- Park Grill – Chef Gil Langlois
- Tavern at the Park – Chef Rene Lorenzano
- Old Town Pour House – Chef Paul Katz
- SideDoor – Chef Vic Newgren
- Howells and Hood – Chef Scott Walton
- The Gage – Chef Pete Coenen
- Ani – Chef Shin Matsuda
- Chicago Yacht Club – Chef Jill Dedinsky
- Zapatista – Chef Alberto Mendez
- Flo & Santos – Chef Mark Rimkus
- Twisted Spoke – Chef Mitch Einhorn
- Tesori – Chef Andrew Deuel
- The Chicago Firehouse – Chef Cesar Reyes
- The Dawson – Chef Anthony DiRienzo
- Markethouse – Chef De’Ann Wellwerts
- Frontier – Chef Brian Jupiter
- Taco Joint – Chef Edgar Torres
The $100 ticket price ($120 at the door) includes unlimited food, cocktail sampling, craft brews and one raffle ticket. Chefs on the Grill tickets may be purchased in advance at parkgrillchicago.com/events. For more information, call (312) 521-7275.
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