For the last 14 years, Chicago Gourmet has brought luxurious tastings and wine pairings, intimate conversations with local chefs, and the camaraderie of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow foodies from Chicago and beyond.
This year, there won’t be a traditional Grand Tasting event in Millennium Park — but the top-tier food festival is still offering an inventive lineup of specialty dinners, upscale tastings, burger showdowns, and more on the Harris Theater Rooftop. Here’s what you need to know about Chicago Gourmet 2022 — and don’t forget to grab your tickets for this year’s many events.
A brand new Oktoberfest event
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022
1 – 4 p.m.
Grab a pretzel and raise your stein. It’s time for Prost! in the Park, debuting for the first time this year on the Harris Theater Rooftop. The ultimate Sunday Funday, this gourmet Oktoberfest-inspired event features German cuisine, live music, fun cocktails, and lots of cold beer. Lederhosen not required (but encouraged!).
Participating chefs include:
- Chef Brian Ahern, Boeufhaus
- Chef D’Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke
- Chef Leigh Omilinsky, Swift & Sons
- Chef Tigist Reda, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
- Chef Darnell Reed, Luella’s Southern Kitchen
- Chef Mark Steuer, Funkenhausen
- Chef Bailey Sullivan, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
- Chef Paul Virant, Vie, Vistro Prime and Gaijin
- And more!
The biggest ever Grand Cru tasting
Saturday, Sept. 24 2022
2 – 5 p.m. and 7 – 10 p.m.
In place of the Grand Tasting event, this year’s Chicago Gourmet will be centered around the Grand Cru. This exclusive and intimate 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, served with bites from the city’s top chefs (like Beverly Kim, Stephanie Izard, Thai Dang, Joe Flamm, and more). This year’s event will also feature an expanded emphasis on craft spirits with master mixologists creating unforgettable cocktail creations.
Guests can choose from two sessions that feature different chef lineups:
Session 1 (2 to 5 p.m.)
- Chef Joe Flamm, Rose Mary & BLVD
- Chef Justin Gomes, Travelle at The Langham
- Chef Daniel Huebschmann, Gibsons Restaurant Group
- Chef Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat, and more
- Chef Beverly Kim, Wherewithall
- Chef Devin Kreller, Wood
- Chef Veah Larde, Two Sisters Catering
- Chef Martial Noguier, Bistronomic
- Chef Alex Pitts, Bazaar Meat and bar mar
- And more!
Session 2 (7 to 10 p.m.)
- Chef Vanessa Brown, Kitchen + Kocktails
- Chef Thai Dang, HaiSous
- Chef Juan Jimenez, Norman’s Bistro
- Chef Dominique Leach, Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse
- Chef Lamar Moore, River North Entertainment and Bar
- Chef Hisanobu Osaka, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
- Chef Dylan Patel, avec and bar avec
- Chef Devon Quinn, eden
- Chef Jenner Tomaska, Esme
- And more!
The fan favorite Hamburger Hop
Friday, Sept. 23, 2022
6 – 9 p.m.
Many a Chicago eatery prides itself on its burger. Take part in the Hamburger Hop to help crown a winner. Enjoy gourmet and specialty burgers from the local establishments taking part in this year’s Hamburger Hop, one of Chicago Gourmet’s most beloved events.
Hosted by famed chef Stephanie Izard, the tasting event at Harris Theater Rooftop will let guests sample some of the best burgers in the city, alongside wine, beer, and spirits. The winner of the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice award will be crowned at the end of the evening.
This year’s Hamburger Hop competition chefs include:
- Chef Susu Barakat, S2Express Grill
- Chef Nick Barnhart, Epic Burger (2021 Hamburger Hop Citywide Winner)
- Chef James Giacometti, Lardon and Union
- Chef Becca Grothe, TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop
- Chef Brian Jupiter, Frontier
- Chef Clinton Payne, Mikkey’s Retro Grill
- Chef Brian Rodriguez, Adorn
- And more!
Plus, don’t miss the official Hamburger Hop after party — Late Night Gourmet. Keep the party going with late-night bites, specialty cocktails, music, and dancing at TAO Chicago.
An evening of tacos and tequila
Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022
7 – 10 p.m.
Join acclaimed chef Rick Bayless for a one-of-a-kind evening of gourmet tacos and agave spirits, led by the city’s leading experts on authentic Mexican cuisine. Diners will enjoy premium tequilas and mezcals, a live DJ, mojigangas and mariachi performances, and (of course) tons of tacos.
The Tacos & Tequila lineup includes:
- Host Chef Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO and more
- Chef Marcos Ascencio, Taqueria Chingon
- Chef Michelle Bernstein, Café La Trova, La Cañita and Sweet Liberty
- Chefs Inocencio and Marcos Carbajal, Carnitas Uruapan
- Chef Marco Colin, La Luna
- Chef Elizabeth Godines, La Lagartija
- Chef Maria G. Landa, Rubi’s on 18th
- Chef Rick Ortiz, Antique Taco
- Chef Saúl Román, Tabú
- Chef Yani Sanchez, Bar Takito
- Chef Andrew Sikkelerus, Barrio
- Chefs Jaime and Alfonso Sotelo, Cinco Rabanitos and Chile Toreados
