Chicago Gourmet
Dodging raindrops, hundreds of people attended Bon Appetit Presents Chicago Gourmet ( with the theme "Lights, Camera, Napkin!" ), which took place Sept. 27-29.
Some of the events include Battle of the Masters at Swift & Sons; Hamburger Hop; a gourmet chili cook-off; Grand Cru; and, of course, the Main Event Grand Tasting ( in Millennium Park ). The A-list cast of celebrity chefs included Rick Bayless, Andrew Zimmern, Stephanie Izard, Joe Flamm, Tony Mantuano, Lorena Garcia, Art Smith, Jeff Mauro, Carrie Nahabedian, Kwame Onwuache, Masaharu Moritmoto, Sarah Grueneberg and more.
Regarding the 2019 Hamburger Hop, presented by Buckhead Meat of Chicago and Blue Moon Brewing Co., Chef Kevin Cuddihee of Porter Kitchen & Deck was named the judges' Buckhead Meat Chicago Hamburger Hop Award winner. His burger creation, Hawaiian Truffle Burger, featured CAB prime burger, Alpha Morning Sun truffle cheese, porcini aioli and Bordelaise onions on a Turano Hawaiian bun. Cuddihee also earned the People's Choice Award—making him the second chef in Chicago Gourmet history to take home both titles.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot opened the event Sept. 28 with remarks.
Michelin stars awarded
Michelin stars—the gold standard regarding restaurants—have been awarded this year, with 25 Chicago spots receiving honors, The Chicago Tribune noted.
Alinea received the maximum three Michelin stars for the 10th consecutive year; Acadia, Oriole and Smyth all kept their two-star rankings. Some of the other local restaurants getting one star each included Goosefoot, Schwa, Next ( new ), Kikko ( new ), Blackbird, Elizabeth, Band of Bohemia, Everest, Topolobampo, Yugen ( new ) and Spiaggia.
The 2020 guide, which includes Bib Gourmand designees ( good-quality food at a good value ) and Plate designations ( recommended ), lists almost 200 Chicago restaurants.
