After transitioning to a series of intimate dinners and virtual cooking events last fall, a retooled version of the Chicago Gourmet food festival will return in September. Unfortunately, the marquee Grand Tasting event on the Great Lawn in Millennium Park is canceled again this year (it's scheduled to return in 2022). There's still plenty to look forward to during the month-long event, including the return of the in-person tastings, delicious takeout options and a series of dinners cooked by some of the city's best chefs.
Just like last year, the Citywide Hamburger Hop will allow any Chicagoan to try some amazing stacks of patties prepared by restaurants throughout the city. Competitors will offer special burgers for dine-in, delivery or carry out from September 1-30, allowing you to taste as many of them as you can. More than 60 restaurants are participating in the Citywide Hamburger Hop, including past champions like the Gage, River Roast and Bistronomic—check out the latest lineup of patty purveyors as you start plotting out a beefy month. $1 from every burger sold will be donated to the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and you'll be able to vote for your favorite creation on the Chicago Gourmet website.
The in-person Hamburger Hop event is also back this year, taking place on the Harris Theater rooftop on Friday, September 24. Restaurants like Mott Street, Longman & Eagle and Sienna Tavern will be in attendance, grilling tasty burgers that you can enjoy with beer, wine and spirits—and judges like Lin Brehmer, Alicia Roman and Phil Vettel will pick their favorites. Other returning in-person Chicago Gourmet events include Rick Bayless's Tacos & Tequila tasting on Thursday, September 23 and two sessions of the Gran Cru wine and spirits tasting (paired with delicious bites) on Saturday, September 25—both of these events will take place on the Harris Theater rooftop.
Finally, the Go Gourmet dinner series that debuted in 2020 is also back this year, allowing guests to attend an array of intimate multi-course dinners and soirees that feature dishes from notable chefs. Highlights of the lineup include a dinner celebrating former Chicago Tribune dining critic Phil Vitel (September 1), an evening of pizza tasting with certified Pizzaioli Robert Garvey (September 7 and 14), a Wagyu + Sake Dinner at RPM Steak (September 14) and a multi-course dinner at the Dearborn showcasing recipes created by women throughout culinary history (September 22).
Like all large in-person events, Chicago Gourmet has developed a set of health and safety guidelines that guests will need to follow. That includes complying with the Chicago Gourmet Attendee Health Pledge and providing a printed copy of a vaccine card, vaccine record or negative COVID-19 test (taking within 72 hours of entry) at each in-person event. Additionally, at outdoor events, masks will be required for unvaccinated guests when not actively eating or drinking, and all guests are expected to wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking at indoor events.
Ready to feast in September? Tickets for all Chicago Gourmet events go on sale at 10am on Thursday, August 5 via the Chicago Gourmet website.