A Welcome to Chicago Concert at Judson & Moore
Judson & Moore Distillery, 3057 N Rockwell St, Bldg 5, Chicago, IL 60618
Friday, June 2, 2023, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Judson & Moore is kicking off Awards weekend with a special “Welcome to Chicago” concert in their tasting room. The event will showcase some of the most exciting things coming out of Chicago right now, from artist Michelle Billingsley’s newest album to award-winning whiskeys from Judson & Moore to the city’s favorite tacos from Big Star. Join us for a night of live music, dancing, creative libations, and delicious food. Cocktails and bites will be available for purchase. Whiskey lovers will also have the opportunity to join a distillery tour at 4 p.m. to learn more about Judson & Moore’s signature spirits and distilling process. Tour tickets can be purchased for $25 at the Eventbrite or on our website.
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Pizzeria Beddia Pop-Up at RPM Events
RPM Events, 317 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Hey pizza lovers, get ready for an exciting pop-up on Saturday, June 3! RPM Events is welcoming Chef Joe Beddia of Pizzeria Beddia, the famous Philly pizza joint named Best Pizza in America by Bon Appetit Magazine, for a special three-course menu available for one day only. The menu includes family-style starters such as Cantabrian Anchovies, Caesar Salad, and more, a second course offering a variety of signature pies and soft serve for dessert. Each course will be paired with wines selected by the award-winning RPM Sommelier Team. The event will take place at RPM Events (317 N. Clark St.), offering views of the Chicago River. This one-day-only pop-up is $95, plus tax. Tickets are limited and can be purchased via Tock.
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Coffee Talk: An Industry Roundtable on Mental Health in Hospitality
Sparrow Coffee Roastery: 2040 West Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Presented by Hope for the Day & The Graceful Ordinary Moderated by Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods. Hope for The Day, a nonprofit organization empowering the conversation on proactive suicide prevention, joins restaurant partners Chris & Megan Curren of The Graceful Ordinary to present an informative discussion and roundtable on the importance of mental health in the restaurant and hospitality space. The interactive event will be held at Sparrow Coffee Roastery in Fulton Market and will be moderated by Andrew Zimmern, Emmy and four-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer, social justice advocate, executive producer, United Nations Global Ambassador and host of the Emmy-nominated series, “Family Dinner” on Magnolia Network. The coffee chat will kick off with a reception including a tasting of some of Sparrow’s rare and exotic blends + some light food from Chef Curren and The Graceful Ordinary. He will be joined by a team of panelists sharing their experiences within the industry:
- Genie Kwon and Tim Flores – Kasama: Chicago, JBF Finalist Best Chef Great Lakes 2023
- Curtis Duffy – Chef, Ever, After, The Canvas: Chicago, JBF Winner Best Chef Great Lakes 2016, Recipient: MICHELIN 2 stars – Ever
- Dominique Leach – Lexington Betty Smokehouse: Chicago, Food Network star, “Best Barbecue in Chicago” by Good Morning America
- Jason Vincent – Giant, Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, Pizza Matta: Chicago, JBF Finalist Outstanding Chef 2022
- Christopher & Megan Curren – The Graceful Ordinary: St Charles, IL, Restaurant Partners, Hope For the Day
JBF Session: Food Access & Sustainable Communities
Kendall College at National Louis University, 2nd Floor Atrium, 122 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60603
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
A sustainable community is defined by its ability to manage its human, natural, and financial capital to meet current needs while ensuring adequate resources for future generations. Equitable Food access is a key feature of this model, but what happens when the human capital is unable to sustain itself? In this discussion, chefs and activists address this challenge, what drives it, and their own solutions toward a better future while investing in the present. Moderator: Colleen Vincent, Vice President of Community, James Beard Foundation. Panelists include:
- Rick Bayless, Topolobampo, Frontera Grill, XOCO, Tortazo and Bar Sotano, Multiple-time James Beard Award Winner
- Maya-Camille Broussard, Justice of the Pies, 2022 James Beard Nominee, Outstanding Baker
- Brandon Chrostowski, EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, 2023 James Beard Award Nominee, Outstanding Restaurateur
- Valerie Horn, Community Agricultural and Nutritional Enterprises (CANE), Whitesburg, KY, 2023 James Beard Foundation Leadership Winner
- Justin Pioche, Pioche Food Group, 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist, Best Chef – Southwest
- Erick Williams, Virtue Restaurant & Bar, 2022 James Beard Award Winner – Best Chef Great Lakes, Mustard Seed Kitchen, Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern, Top This Mac and Cheese
Beef & Bandidos
Al’s #1 Italian Beef (Little Italy), 1079 W Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Al’s Beef, the inventor of Chicago’s iconic Italian Beef Sandwich (circa 1917) is hosting a happy hour Al’s Beef in Little Italy in celebration of the 32nd annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. The founding family of Italian Beef is opening the doors of their beloved neighborhood beef stand on West Taylor Street! They’re partnering with El Bandido Yankee Tequila and its co-founder, NHL Hall-of-Famer Chris Chelios, along with the family that owns and operates Chicago’s legendary Mario’s Italian Lemonade business. Guests will enjoy Italian Beef and other delicacies, specialty tequila-infused cocktails, tequila-spiked lemonade from Mario’s, and gift bags with one-of-a-kind Chicago collectibles from Chris Chelios and Chris Pacelli (of the Al’s Beef family). It doesn’t get any more authentic or any more Chicago!
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The Abundance Setting x JBF Panel: Who’s Watching the Kids?
Kendall College at National Louis University, 7th Floor, 18 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m. (reception to follow)
“Who’s Watching the Kids?” The decision to advance a career in the culinary and hospitality industry or to have a family often becomes the deal breaker for women in this industry. This often is the source of attrition of women leadership in this industry, especially in the kitchen. We will be speaking with women chefs who have been juggling many roles in the restaurant business to gain insight into how they have made it work, the challenges, and what meaningful changes are needed for women to continue to progress. We will also have a short reception to follow with bites from incredible restaurants in the Chicago area that are women-led (Demera, Floriole, Tribecca’s, Verzenay, Soul & Smoke) and beverages donated by Proxies. Panelists include:
- Diana Dávila, Chef/Owner Mi Tocaya Antojeria, JBF 2023 Finalist Best Chef Great Lakes
- Mary Sue Milliken, Author/ Media Personality and Chef/Owner Border Grill, Co-Founder Non-profit Regarding Her, JBF Restaurant Award 1985
- Tigist Reda, Chef/Owner Demera, Host of Chicago Chefs Cook for Tigray, Abundance Setting Mentor
- Becca Grothe, Chef/Co-Owner of Tribecca’s Sandwich Shop, Alum of The Abundance Setting’s 3 Chefs/3 Moms Program
- Erick Williams, Virtue Restaurant & Bar, 2022 James Beard Award Winner – Best Chef Great Lakes, Mustard Seed Kitchen, Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern, Top This Mac and Cheese
The session will be hosted by Beverly Kim, Founder The Abundance Setting and Chef/Owner Parachute (JBF 2019 Best Chef Great Lakes) & Sarah Stegner, Founding Member The Abundance Setting and Chef/Owner Prairie Grass Cafe (JBF 1998 Rising Star Chef).
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JBF Cocktail for a Cause at Bar Mar by José Andrés
Bar Mar – 120 N Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
Saturday + Sunday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m., Monday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sip for good! In celebration of and a show of commitment to the James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago, Bar Mar by José Andrés will donate a portion of proceeds from each Salt Air Margarita sold from Saturday, June 3 through Monday, June 6 to the JBF Women’s Leadership Fund. On Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. and on Monday beginning at 11 a.m., whether a stop in during the energetic weekend or refreshment just before the ceremony at the Lyric, José’s signature margarita is the perfect way to cocktail for a great cause.
Get Roasted: Brew and Brunch Roasting Tour with Big Shoulders Coffee
Big Shoulders Coffee Roasting Works, 2415 W 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Journey through the world of specialty coffee through the eyes of Award-winning craft roaster Big Shoulders Coffee with co-founders Patricia Coonan and Chef Tim Coonan. The event will be a fluid, roam as you please, set up with fresh coffee and homemade brunch, live roasting demonstrations, a micro-lot pourover station, an espresso bar with latte art exhibition, coffee mocktails, draft cold brew and sparkling creations, craft beer from Alarmist Brewing and Mimosas featuring our Sunny B. Don’t miss the craft coffee brew and brunch event of the year. All guests will receive a bag of freshly roasted coffee to go.
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A Culinary Crawl Through Logan Square Hosted by Doug Psaltis & Hsing Chen of Eat Well Hospitality
Sunday, June 4, 2023
To celebrate the return of the James Beard Awards, Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen of Eat Well Hospitality are organizing the second annual Logan Square Culinary Crawl. Guests can kick off the day with a Grecian brunch at Andros Taverna, where pastry chef Hsing Chen will include a selection of pastries inspired by James Beard. Stop by before or after a visit to the Logan Square Farmers Market just steps away. Spend the rest of the day exploring this unique neighborhood, which is home to several highly acclaimed independent restaurants and bars.
Stop by Bang Bang Pie for coffee and a classic pie inspired by James Beard, indulge in a specialty ice cream flavor from Pretty Cool Ice Cream or stroll over to Taqueria Chingón for a bite of al pastor or tacos. Begin the evening with Happy Hour at Daisies, plan for Sunday Supper of Asian American flavors at Second Generation, and cap off the evening with after-dinner drinks at Spilt Milk or The Meadowlark. No tickets or RSVP are required, though reservations at Andros Taverna, Daisies, and Second Generation are recommended to guarantee seating.
Three Dots and a Decade: Award-winning Cocktail Bar Three Dots and a Dash Celebrates 10 Years
Three Dots and a Dash, 435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Join Three Dots and a Dash as they welcome an acclaimed lineup of bartenders from around the world for Three Dots and a Decade, celebrating their 10th birthday and the James Beard Awards. To mark the occasion, original cocktails from each of the renowned bars will be available for a proper toast to ten. The participating bars have received top recognitions from Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards, the James Beard Awards, and World’s 50 Best Bars, and include: Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, CA), Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico), Trailer Happiness (London, England), Friday Saturday Sunday (Philadelphia, PA), Navy Strength (Seattle, WA), Manhatta (New York, NY), Tiki Tatsuya (Austin, TX), Bar Leather Apron (Honolulu, HI), Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, MX), Blossom Bar (Boston, MA), and the Aviary (Chicago, IL). Tickets for Three Dots and a Decade are limited and start at $95, plus tax; each ticket includes 5 cocktails along with some tropical bites and musical entertainment.
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SUNDAY SEISIÚN with The Dawson & The Dead Rabbit
The Dawson 730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Sunday, June 4th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Dawson welcomes NYC ‘World’s Best Bar’ winner The Dead Rabbit for a night of cocktails, Irish fare, live music and great craic during the pop-up event of the summer. $1 from each specialty cocktail sold will directly benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Gaijin Matsuri
Gaijin, 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Live music, cocktails, and food curated by Gaijin, Beam Suntory, and the Japanese Arts Foundation. RSVP required.
Stadium Chef Series – Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field, 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60613
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
In partnership with Marquee Development and benefitting James Beard Foundation, this dinner is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gather and dine at historic Wrigley Field, at center field! Standing Reception followed by Family-Style Feast.
Participating chefs:
- Host Chef Matthias Merges, Folkart Management, Chicago
- Wrigley Field Executive Chef David Burns, Levy Restaurants, Chicago
- JBF Award Nominee Vince Bugtong, Abacá, San Francisco
- JBF Award Semifinalist Thai Dang, HaiSous, Chicago
- Chef Lamar Moore, Top Chef Alum, Bronzeville Winery, Chicago
- Chef Chris Pandel, Swift & Sons, Chicago
- Chef Ricki Ramirez, Big Star, Chicago
- JBF Award Winner Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Cafe, Northbrook, IL
- Chef Djibril Webb, Mordecai, Chicago
- JBF Semifinalist Jonathon Zaragoza, Birrieria Zaragoza, Chicago
This event is SOLD OUT.
Hilton Presents Exclusive V.I.P. Takeover of Bernard’s at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Waldorf Astoria Chicago, Bernard’s, 11 E. Walton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Capturing the spirit of this year’s “Outstanding Bar Award,” Hilton is hosting a takeover event of Bernard’s at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. At the event, guests will mingle with the best and brightest in the industry. In partnership with Proof & Company, guests will also indulge in the recreation of several of the Company’s “World’s Best Bars” award-winning cocktails alongside Bernard’s most prized drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
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JBF Greens x Frontier: 2023 Awards Weekend Happy Hour
Frontier – 1072 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Join JBF Greens at Frontier for a happy hour in celebration of the 32nd annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. The West Town tavern will open especially for JBF Greens (and friends!) to toast the 2023 Awards. Chicago community philanthropist, mentor to fellow Black chefs, and James Beard Award semifinalist, executive chef Brian Jupiter oversees Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern and Packaged Goods, and Jup’s Soups. For the occasion, chef Jupiter—commonly known as “Chef Jup” by his teams—will create a selection of hunted, farmed, foraged, and harvested bites inspired by what generations of pioneers ate and hunted on the trail. *70% of your ticket price will go directly to the host chef to support their business while 30% will go towards the Foundation’s national programming that is rooted in advocacy, racial equity, sustainability, and women’s leadership for the culinary industry.
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Indienne “Omakase” with Raj Parr Wine Pairings
Indienne – 217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
Sunday, June 4, 2023, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Join chef Sujan Sarkar and the Indienne team for a special evening during James Beard Awards weekend in Chicago. Attendees will enjoy an Indian “omakase” featuring small plates that encapsulate and celebrate the distinctive regional flavors of Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, and Jaipur, with an optional beverage pairing featuring wines from the Raj Parr portfolio. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus available. $90 per person, +$60 per person (with optional wine pairing).
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JBF@ORD Chef Series
This May, global restaurateur HMSHost is celebrating Chicago’s rich culinary scene as O’Hare International Airport prepares to welcome hundreds to the city for the prestigious James Beard Awards. Throughout the month, HMSHost and O’Hare will give those traveling to or through the airport the chance to meet talented, James Beard Award-winning chefs, bakers, and brands, and taste some of their delicious culinary creations.
- May 9, 12 – 1 p.m.: Rick Bayless – Terminal 3, between H & K gates (near the University of Illinois logo)
- May 17, 1 – 2 p.m.: BonAnno Vinters will be sampling the rosé it created exclusively for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants’ Summer House – Terminal 2, near gate E1 (Butch O’Hare airplane space)
- May 24, 1 – 2 p.m.: One Off Hospitality (Paul Kahan & Greg Wade) – Terminal 2, near gate E1 (Butch O’Hare airplane space)
- May 30, 1 – 2 p.m.: Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants (Ozzie Ocegueda & Ben Goodnick) – Terminal 2, near gate E1 (Butch O’Hare airplane space)