Chicago Gourmet turned 10 with great champagne fueled fanfare recently in Millennium Park! Star studded line up of chefs and local culinary talent, the celebration was the feast for all senses. Unseasonably hot weather did not deter the attendees from enjoying delicious bites and sipping ice cold cocktails with our city’s glorious skyline as the backdrop. A not to be missed event for us at The Local Tourist, we did not let the heat & humidity get the best of us.
The opening press conference and champagne toast kicked things off with the Mayor Rahm Emmanuel recognizing contributing chefs, sponsors and partners. As we sipped Ace of Spades rosé champagne, the Chicago classic Eli’s Cheesecake treated everyone to a cool slice of their heavenly treat. In fact, the largest cheesecake I have ever seen was the festival’s birthday cake.
After the opening remarks, we headed into the festival armed with water bottles and fans. 100 degrees is no joke, gotta hydrate! All across the park the celebratory champagne theme continued. A giant inflated champagne bottle released hundreds of bubbles into the air. Large tubs of rapidly melting ice keps plethora of sweating bubbly bottles chilled for revelers to enjoy. Lil party didn’t kill nobody! (Enjoy your bubbles responsibly.)
Dozens of booths were set up to feed the hungry party goers everything from chilled oysters to decadent desserts. We made a beeline for one of our favorites, Maple Leaf Farms duck. Supreme Lobster‘s Seafood Pavillion had the longest line as usual. And as usual worth the wait even in the hundred degree heat. Veruca Chocolate gorgeous bonbons were a hit for us at the dessert pavillion. But nothing could beat gelato given the weather. Vero Gelato booth to the rescue! Many cooling beverage options included outstanding Aperol spritzers, rosé wine slushies and too many cocktails to count made with products represented by Southern Glazer, the festival’s main sponsor.
The event went off without a hitch. Here’s to the next 10 years, Chicago Gourmet! Happy Birthday!
Chicago Gourmet Festival takes place annually in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
The Local Tourist access to Chicago Gourmet press conference and main event courtesy of Isabelli Media Relations.
All photos by Gourmet Rambler.
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