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Chicago Gourmet has revealed the lineup of chef participants for the 2022 weekend culinary celebration. Founding sponsor Illinois Restaurant Association, together with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, will showcase an array of spirited events featuring talent from Chicago and around the world from September 22-25, 2022 atop the Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park. Tickets are on sale now at chicagogourmet.org

Chicago Gourmet has celebrated the city as a world-class epicurean destination since its 2008 inception, and this year’s theme – “Creating a Stir” – is dedicated to the dreamers and doers and movers and shakers in Chicago’s culinary community. The festival benefits the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF), a 501 (c)(3) dedicated to building and promoting the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in both youth and workforce. It has awarded more than $3.2 million in scholarships since its inception.

Chicago Gourmet events creating a stir in 2022 include:   

Tacos & Tequila – Hosted by Chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO and more), Tacos and Tequila will take place on Thursday, September 22 from 7 – 10 PM. Guests can select tacos and explore a range of tequilas and mezcals to the stylings of DJ, mariachi and mojiganga performances. 

The Tacos & Tequila lineup of top toques 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

Somm Sessions – Presented by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, guests will select from a menu of food, wine, and music all under one roof at LÝRA, 905 W Fulton Market, on Friday, September 23 from 12 – 2 PM. With each course, Master Sommeliers will go head-to-head with a wine & song pairing to complement the featured chef’s dish. This event benefits the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Price is $250 per person, exclusive of taxes and fees, 21+.

Hamburger Hop – Chef Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat and more) will host and be serving up burgers, cold beer, wine & spirits, and skyline views. On Friday, September 23 from 6 – 9 PM, the Hamburger Hop will feature top chefs battling for bragging rights as a panel of judges chooses ‘Top Burger’ while guests crown the People’s Choice. Price is $130 per person, exclusive of taxes and fees, 21+.

2022 Hamburger Hop competition chefs include: 

  • Chef Susu Barakat, S2Express Grill
  • 2021 Hamburger Hop Citywide Winner, Chef Nick Barnhart, Epic Burger
  • Chef D'Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke
  • Chef Rohini Dey, Vermillion
  • Chef James Giacometti, Lardon and Union 
  • Chef Becca Grothe, TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop
  • Chef Corey Grupe, Burger Federation
  • Chef Brian Jupiter, Frontier
  • Chef Kwame Onwuachi
  • Chef Clinton Payne, Mikkey’s Retro Grill
  • Chef Brian Rodriguez, Adorn
  • Chef Julia Shell, The Albion Manor and The Parlour at The Albion

A panel of judges, who will taste each burger and score their favorites, includes:

  • Marion Brooks, NBC 5 Chicago
  • Damarr Brown, Virtue Bar & Restaurant, Blue Moon Ambassador
  • Emma Krupp, Time Out Chicago
  • Sylvia Perez, Fox News 32
  • Chef Tony Priolo, Piccolo Sogno
  • Audarshia Townsend, Content Director for Informa Markets’ Food & Beverage Insider
  • Phil Vettel, food critic
  • Chef David Wang, slightly toasted, little toasted, asadito and wok n' bao

Late Night Gourmet – The official Hamburger Hop after-party, Late Night Gourmet trades burgers for beats along with late night bites, specialty cocktails, music and dancing on Friday, September 23 from 9 PM – 12 AM. A Friday night ticket package of Hamburger Hop + Late Night Gourmet is $175 per person.

Grand Cru – The Grand Cru will showcase exclusive wines, craft spirits, and cuisine on Saturday, September 24, 2 – 5 PM and 7 – 10 PM. During two sessions, guests will be offered options from chefs, including Chef Daniel Boulud (DANIEL, Bar Baloud, Le Pavillon and more), Chef Beverly Kim (Wherewithall) and more, while tasting and learning about the world spirits and wines curated by master sommeliers like Serafin Alvarado and master mixologists like Daniel de Oliveira, both of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Cost is $255 per person.

The 2022 Grand Cru chef lineup includes:

Session 1 (2 to 5 p.m.)

  • Chef Daniel Boulud, DANIEL, Bar Baloud, Le Pavillon and more
  • Chef Diana Browder, Marisol
  • Chef Federico Comacchio, Gioia Ristorante & Pastificio
  • 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
  • Chef Pat Sang and Gary Zickel, Oki Sushi
  • Chef Jacob Saben, Coda di Volpe
  • Chef Jennifer Selvaggi, Turano Baking Co.

Session 2: 7 to 10 p.m.

  •  Chef Daniel Boulud, DANIEL, Bar Baloud, Le Pavillon and more
  • 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 Pat Sang and Gary Zickel, Oki Sushi
  • Chef Avgeria Stapaki, Nisos Mediterranean
  • Chef Jenner Tomaska, Esmé
  • Chef Fabio Viviani, Bar Siena
  • Chef Jeff Vucko, Pendry Chicago

Prost! In the Park! - New in 2022, Prost! In the Park, a Sünday Fünday with a gourmet twist.  A new festival highlight for 2022, Chef Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio) will host this gourmet Oktoberfest-style beer and spirits festival that will feature brews, bites, and boozie bevs. Ticketholders can expect a celebration in the German tradition with a Chicago flair when Prost! In the Park takes place on Sunday, September 25 from 1 - 4PM. Tickets are $95 per person. Prost! to the participating chefs, including:

  • Chef Brian Ahern, BOEUFHAUS
  • Chef D'Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke
  • Chef Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook, animal, Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s, helen’s and more
  • Chefs Kurt Guzowski and Thomas Rice, Four Star Artisan
  • Chef Kevin Hickey, The Duck Inn
  • Baker Ellen King, Hewn
  • Chef Leigh Omilinsky, Swift & Sons
  • Chef Tigist Reda, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
  • Chef Darnell Reed, Luella's Southern Kitchen
  • Chef Juan Silva, Beach Ave BBQ
  • Chef Mark Steuer, FUNKENHAUSEN
  • Chef Bailey Sullivan, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
  • Chef Paul Virant, Vie, Vistro Prime and Gaijin
  • Chef Steven Zabel, Performance Foodservice

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