Chicago Gourmet 2011

Chicago Gourmet in Millennium Park is an upscale version of Taste of Chicago -- better food, smaller crowds, and a much higher price tag.

Chicago Gourmet pictures

Millennium Park, Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue, Chicago

September 23-25, 2011

"Hamburger Hop" opening event, Friday, September 23, 2011: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011: 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 25, 2011: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
The Grand Cru event is from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. on both days.

View the full Chicago Gourmet schedule

Ticket prices are $150 per day. Two-day passes are available for $250. Food seminars are included, but seating is general admission.
Tickets for the Grand Cru event are an additional $175 per person.
Tickets for the Hamburger Hop are $75.
All ticket holders must be 21 years of age or older. Children 5 and under will be allowed in free with a paying adult. Tickets for both general admission and the Grand Cru may be purchased online.

Primary Chicago public transportation to the park is either the Michigan Avenue CTA bus #151, or the Red Line train, Randolph stop.

Featuring some of Chicago's top chefs, Chicago Gourmet is certainly more representative of the exciting culinary scene going on in the city than Taste of Chicago. But with an increase in authenticity comes a decrease in accessibility. While Taste of Chicago is free, and the food -- while overpriced -- is reasonable, tickets for Chicago Gourmet do not come cheap; a two-day pass is $250 per person, and tack on an additional $175 if you want to attend a Grand Cru event.

But for the foodie with deep pockets the price of admission may be worth it. The event features tons of demonstrations and gourmet food tastings from over 50 chefs. Wine and spirits samples abound, provided by over 300 wineries and 65 spirits producers. Gourmet Chicago also features wine seminars from master sommeliers. The most anticipated, and limited to only 200 people per day, is the aforementioned Grand Cru event which features exclusive tastings of over 50 premium (i.e., expensive) wines from around the world.

Just some of the chefs and speakers scheduled for the event are Ted Allen, Food & Wine Ambassador for Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines; Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill/Topolobampo and Top Chef Masters winner; Graham Elliot Bowles, graham elliot and Top Chef Masters contestant; Laurent Gras, L2O; Kevin Hickey, Four Seasons Hotel; Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia; Marcus Samuelsson, C-House; Art Smith, Table fifty-two; and Rick Tramonto, Tru. Guest master sommeliers include Serafin Alvarado, Fernando Beteta, Frederick Dame, and Alpana Singh. (guest appearances subject to change)