Chicago Gourmet Food Festival

Sept. 25 – 28, 2025
Harris Theater Rooftop • Millennium Park

Welcome to Chicago Gourmet, one of the country’s most distinguished food festivals. Each year, Chicago Gourmet celebrates the city’s diverse dining scene with a dynamic line-up of epicurean events that showcase the city’s top chefs, food, and drinks.

The upscale culinary celebration hosts a series of exciting happenings, from a high-end tasting to a competition for the city’s best gourmet burger, on the Harris Theater Rooftop in Millennium Park and at unique culinary venues throughout the city.

Chicago Gourmet

Friends at Chicago Gourmet — Chicago Gourmet

Chicago Gourmet’s dynamic event line-up puts a spotlight on more than 100 distinguished chefs from Chicago and beyond.

Grand Cru
Saturday, Sept. 27
The exclusive Grand Cru at Chicago Gourmet is an elevated tasting experience that features the nation’s leading wine experts, top mixologists, and acclaimed chefs at the Harris Theater Rooftop for a truly unforgettable experience.

Guests will be able to sample the world’s finest wines and award-winning cuisine, including some of the city’s most well-known chefs and restaurants. Choose from the afternoon or the evening session, both hosted by Chicago chef Stephanie Izard. Check back for the full lineup of participating chefs.

Tacos & Tequila
Thursday, Sept. 25
Kick off the festival weekend with this showcase of gourmet tacos and agave spirits, hosted by celebrity chefs Rick Bayless and Marcos Carbajal, featuring experts in authentic Mexican cuisine on the Harris Theater Rooftop in Millennium Park. The evening includes premium tequilas and mezcals, a DJ, mariachi, and more.

Hamburger Hop
Friday, Sept. 26
The highly anticipated Hamburger Hop is a perennial fan favorite. An array of local chefs will serve their best burgers atop the Harris Theater Rooftop, hosted by chef Joe Flamm and Sarah Grueneberg. Previous contestants have included local legends like chefs from Gemini, Demera Ethiopian Cuisine, Eden, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop, and more.

Guests will be able to enjoy burger tastings alongside beer and wine, then cast their vote for their favorite. Two winners are crowned — the judge’s favorite and the people’s choice.

Friends clink wine glasses at Chicago Gourmet — Chicago Gourmet

The Hamburger Hop at Chicago Gourmet; photo by James Vitullo

Asian Late Night Market
Friday, Sept. 26
Head to downtown hotspot TAO Chicago for the official Hamburger Hop after-party. New to the Chicago Gourmet lineup, this high-energy event is inspired by Asia’s night markets with late-night bites, specialty cocktails, music, and dancing.

Rise & Shine Gourmet
Sunday, Sept. 28
Start your Sunday off right with a gourmet family-style brunch on the Harris Theater Rooftop. Hosted by celebrity chefs Art Smith and Lorena Garcia, this fun morning event will feature Southern-style brunch dishes with Latin flair, plus cocktails and chef interactions.

Hamburger Hop at Chicago Gourmet — ; photo by Neil John Burger Photography

Chicago Gourmet pre-festival events

This year, Chicago Gourmet is celebrating the Culinary World Series leading up to the main festival weekend. Foodies will find one-of-a-kind sports-inspired culinary events throughout the summer, including:

Dinner on the NASCAR Track
Wednesday, July 2
This once-in-a-lifetime dining experience is held on the start/finish line of NASCAR’s iconic Chicago Street Race course. The collaborative five-course meal will showcase Italian cuisine from world-class chefs.

Game Day Gourmet
Friday, July 25
This epic new event takes place at Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. Watch the game from a suite and enjoy elevated ballpark fare from beloved Chicago chefs.

A Tribute to Jackie Robinson: A Culinary Celebration of Courage
Wednesday, Aug. 20
The James Beard Award-winning chefs from Virtue Restaurant will host this powerful event celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson. The evening will feature a three-course meal, cocktails, and live music.

Culinary World Series tickets are on sale now, so get yours before they sell out!

About Chicago Gourmet

Held in Millennium Park each September, Chicago Gourmet is one of the nation’s premier culinary experiences. Since 2008, the epicurean event has showcased Chicago as an international dining destination by shining a spotlight on the city’s best chefs, sommeliers, and wine-, spirit-, and beer-makers, alongside talent from around the country.

The packed weekend schedule truly offers something for everyone, from upscale tastings to morning brunch to late-night soirees. Chicago Gourmet programming benefits the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, dedicated to investing in youth and the workforce in the restaurant industry.