Your guide to what's new at Chicago Gourmet 2025

For the last 17 years, Chicago Gourmet has brought luxurious food tastings, top-tier wine pairings, intimate experiences with acclaimed chefs, and the camaraderie of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow foodies from Chicago and beyond to the city’s iconic Millennium Park.

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This year, the elite food festival is offering a packed schedule of events, featuring burger showdowns, late-night parties, unique dinners, and more. This year’s theme, “Step Up to the Plate”, is an homage to the city’s legendary sports scene and includes an exciting lineup of brand new events featuring some of the city’s top chefs.

Here’s what you need to know about Chicago Gourmet powered by Invesco QQQ, including exciting new updates for this year’s festival — and don’t forget to grab your tickets before they’re gone.

A new Asian Late Night Market

TAO Chicago ©Adam Alexander Photography 2019

Spend your Friday night at a bustling late-night market, inspired by Asia’s famous street market scene. This newly reimagined event, the official after-party for the beloved Hamburger Hop, will take place at TAO Chicago on Friday, Sept. 26 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Expect plenty of music, dancing, late-night bites, and specialty cocktails with an Asian flair.

The Asian Late Night Market will be hosted by acclaimed local chef Thai Dang of HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen and Crying Tiger. Other featured chefs include:

Henry Cai, 3LP
Kelly, Michael, & Laura Cheng, Sun Wah BBQ
Bo Fowler, BiXi Beer
Huy Hoang, TAO Chicago
Helen Nguyen, Saigon Social, New York City

Brand new Culinary World Series events

Diners enjoy the vibes at Chicago Gourmet — Chicago Gourmet; photo by James Vitullo

Bites at Chicago Gourmet — Chicago Gourmet; photo by James Vitullo

Inspired by Chicago sports greats of the past and present, Chicago Gourmet is hosting a series of exciting sports-inspired events leading up to this year’s festival. The grand-slam lineup include special collabs, one-night-only dinners in unique settings, and exclusive tastings featuring both top chefs and top athletes:

A Tribute To Jackie Robinson Dinner (Aug. 20)
James Beard Award-winning chefs Erick Williams and Damarr Brown will honor the legacy of the boundary-breaking Jackie Robinson during this dinner at Virtue Restaurant & Bar. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception with canapés and live music, followed by a three-course dinner benefiting special causes.

A One Night Only Collaboration: eden x Soul & Smoke (Aug. 24)
This one-night-only collaboration showcases the award-winning barbecue of Chef D’Andre Carter and the farm-to-table ethos of Chef Devon Quinn. The chefs will blend their distinct styles into a vibrant, seasonal menu of summer flavors.

A Toast to the Games: An Evening Celebrating Champions (Sept. 4)
Mingle with past Olympians in an intimate, relaxed setting while you sip and savor cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. This unforgettable evening will be held at Carpenter Street Restaurant in the bustling West Loop neighborhood.

High Spirits with Happ (Sept. 6)
This all-star event will feature Chicago Cubs standout Ian Happ and the best of the DineAmic Hospitality lineup at The Penthouse at Fioretta. Sample bold bites and sips during a curated tasting of multiple DineAmic restaurants.

State of the Game: Illinois Icons (Sept. 9)
Join iconic Chicago chefs at The Dawson for an evening honoring University of Illinois athletics. Guests will enjoy global flavors, craft cocktails, and special appearances from Fighting Illini greats across generations.

Robata & Rare Cuts: A Chef’s Tribute to Iconic Chicago Sports (Sept. 10)
Experience a unique sports-inspired robatayaki dinner and wine pairing at Roka Akor, a Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant. The inventive multi-course menu will reimagine the classic flavors found at Chicago’s iconic stadiums.

Out of Left Field (Sept. 13)
Held just steps from historic Wrigley Field, this intimate cocktail tasting is paired with small bites. It’s the perfect pregame before heading inside the stadium to watch the Chicago Cubs take the field.

Gourmet Tailgate (Sept. 14)
Bear down! Get ready for an elevated tailgating experience at the rooftop Utopian Tailgate in Uptown. Food fans and football fans can come together for tasty bites and drinks at they watch the Chicago Bears game streamed live.

Ice & Fire: A Taste of Glory with The Blackhawks & Chicago Fire FC (Sept. 18)
This cocktail-focused event will feature the Chicago Fire, the city’s professional soccer club. Dig into heavy passed bites and an open bar at this event hosted by acclaimed chef Carlos Gaytan, Mexico’s first chef to earn a Michelin star.

Chefs Get Pickled (Sept. 20)
Cheer on your favorite chefs in this fun-filled pickleball tournament at the indoor SPF facility in Lincoln Park. Spectators can also enjoy premium wine, cocktails and beer and scrumptious bites from local culinary favorites.

A fresh new line-up of top chefs

Thai Dang at Chicago Gourmet Grand Cru — Chicago Gourmet Grand Cru

The highlight of Chicago Gourmet is the iconic Grand Cru. This exclusive tasting event takes place on the Harris Theater Rooftop, tucked away in scenic Millennium Park. Guests will be able to sip the world’s finest wines curated by master sommeliers and craft cocktails from top mixologists. Not to mention endless bites from the city’s most buzzed-about chefs, from established stars to up-and-coming talent.

This year’s line-up features a fresh array of local and national names, including a few first-time participants. Here are just some of the star chefs at Chicago Gourmet 2025.

Session 1 (2 to 5 p.m.)