Chicago Magazine - 09.2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 | CHICAGO 139

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

TOAST OF THE TOWN

WINE, SPIRITS, BEER, AND MORE TAKE

CENTER STAGE AT BON APPÉTIT PRESENTS

CHICAGO GOURMET

Those who love wine, spirits, and beer are in for a glittering affair!

Curated by the passionate team at Southern Glazer’s Wine &

Spirits, festival-goers have the opportunity to experience a range

of interactive seminars, tastings, exclusive experiences, and more—

all led by the nation’s most prestigious beverage experts.

With Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado and Director of

Education and Mixology Daniel de Oliveira as headliners, this

year’s beverage programming connects to the "Lights, Camera,

Napkin" theme, marrying all things culinary with the world of

entertainment. They will be joined by some of their closest friends

in the industry, ensuring that you truly get the most out of your toast.

Not to be missed?

Hit the High Notes at Battle of the Masters

at Swift & Sons

“This is a really fun daytime event kicking off the weekend,” says

Alvarado. A delicious lunch event on Friday comes with wine

and music pairings from local and visiting Master Sommeliers

and Masters of Wine. A live band will perform (Alvarado's

own The Rack & the Riddler!) while guests savor and select

their favorite pairing. Proceeds benefit the Illinois Restaurant

Association Educational Foundation.

Get Your Glass to Class

We’re letting you in on one of the best kept secrets during

festival weekend—the seminars! “The wine seminars in the

Choral Room are a great opportunity to learn and taste high-

quality wines with Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and

Certified Wine Educators,” says Alvarado.

The fun continues with interactive mixology seminars on the East

Lawn, where de Oliveira is particularly excited about one of his

seminars on Saturday. “The agave category has exploded over

the past decade,” says de Oliveira. “Jay Schroeder (Partner

and Beverage Director of Quiote) and I will take a deep dive

into the category and talk about trends in the mixology world.”

Great Lawn Refreshers

Hundreds of wine, spirits and beer-makers are eager to share their

enthusiasm with festival goers. Between bites on the Great Lawn,

seize the opportunity to sample a range of both familiar favorites

and new releases. And for a refreshing cool-down, the Samuel

Adams’ “Brewing the American Dream” Pavilion is the answer.

Leave No Wine Behind At the Grand Cru

presented by UnitedHealthcare

The ultra-exclusive Grand Cru rolls out the red carpet with

tastings of the world's finest wines as curated by Alvarado and

his team. Poured by a cast of the country’s top sommeliers, this

prestigious “event within the event” is your moment to interact

personally and learn from the best. Plus, in conjunction with

this year's food & entertainment theme, Chef Tony Mantuano

(Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia, Terzo Piano, River Roast) has invited

his fellow superstar chefs to prepare tastings based on Tony

Award Winning Musicals. From John and Karen Shields (Smyth

+ The Loyalist) and Brian Fisher (Entente) to Meg Galus (BOKA)

and Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia/Proxi), there will be no

shortage of delectable food and pairings to explore—and sing

along to your heart’s content!

EVENT DATES AND HOURS

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

6:00–10:30pm Raise A Glass To Freedom: A Hamilton

Exclusive at the CIBC Theatre

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

7:00–10:00pm Italian Feast on the Odyssey Chicago River

Thursday, September 26, 2019

6:00–9:00pm Jef Comedy Jam at Theater on the Lake

Friday, September 27, 2019

12:0 0 –2:0 0pm Battle of the Masters at Swift & Sons

6:00–9:00pm Hamburger Hop on the Harris Theater

Rooftop

9:00–Midnight Late Night Gourmet at Dance Studio Vol. 1

Saturday, September 28, 2019

12:0 0 – 6:0 0 pm Chicago Gourmet Main Event: Live

Cooking Demos, Seminars, Book Signings,

and Tastings at Millennium Park

2:00–4:00pm Grand Cru on Harris Theater Rooftop

8:00–11:00pm The Big Chill(i): Gourmet Chili Cook-Off on

the Harris Theater Rooftop

Sunday, September 29, 2019

8:30am–12:15pm Rise & Shine Gourmet at the Chicago

Athletic Association Hotel

12:0 0 –5:0 0 pm Chicago Gourmet Main Event: Live

Cooking Demos, Seminars, Book Signings,

and Tastings at Millennium Park

2:00–4:00pm Grand Cru on Harris Theater Rooftop

For Chicago Gourmet tickets, schedules, and more,

PHOTOGRAPHY: NEIL BURGERvisit http://www.chicagogourmet.org.

September 24–29, 2019

ChicagoGourmet.org