—Art Smith, Rocco DiSpirito, Anne Burrell, Graham Elliot, Rick Bayless, Robert Irvine, Claire Robinson, David Burke and Ming Tsai are among the chefs/personalities slated to appear at the World Culinary Showcase of the National Restaurant Association ( NRA ) Show May 17-20 at McCormick Place. The event is primarily for retailers, culinary professionals, dealers and distributors, and commercial as well as non-commercial operators.
—Chicago institution Hot Doug's, 3324 N. California Ave., is closing permanently in October, according to CBS News. Owner Doug Sohn said, "It's time to do something else. There really is no overwhelming reason other than it's time to go do something else. The plan is not to own a restaurant anymore."
—The Fifth Annual Chicago Craft Beer Week runs May 15-25. Among the many business taking part are Firkin, Monk's Pub, Division Ale House, Public House, Hopleaf Bar, 312 Chicago ( a May 20 event; see www.312Chicago.com ), Addison's Bigby's Pour House and Burbank's Chuck's Voodoo Lounge. See chibeerweek.com .
—La Brea Bakery is celebrating its 25th anniversary by bringing its fresh-baked bread to Chicago for a week-long "Breaking Bread" sampling tour beginning May 29. La Brea Bakery brand ambassadors will visit hot spots around the city handing out free, fresh-baked bready. The bakery will be sharing updates from the tour using #BreakingBread, and invites fans to follow along on Twitter and Instagram @labreabakery.
—The first-ever Mac & Cheese Fest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the UIC Forum from noon to 3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. Visit www.macandcheesechicago.com or contact Melinda@raymiproductions.com .
—NoMI Kitchen ( at the Park Hyatt, 800 N. Michigan Ave. ) continues its "An Immersive Dining Experience" series with "Hy Tea and Flowers" on Sunday, May 18, 12-3 p.m. The event is part of NoMI's "Masters of Food & Wine Tour of the World." Admission is $75 each; email Camila.Rachmanis@hyatt.com .
—Lookingglass Theatre, Frontera Grill and Silverguy Entertainment present the return of Rick Bayless in Cascabel: Dinner—Daring—Desire, the theatrical adventure featuring a feast, world-class circus acts and a love story starring celebrity chef Rick Bayless that premiered in spring 2012. The culinary/theatrical experience runs at the Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., for four weeks only, July 30-Aug. 24. Tickets to Rick Bayless in Cascabel are now available at www.lookingglasstheatre.org, by phone at 312-337-0665 or at the box office at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.
—Freshii has opened its newest location in Lincoln Park at 854 W. Armitage Ave. Hours are Monday-Friday att 7 a.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 773-348-0300 and see the menu at https://www.freshii.com/us/menu.
—El Mariachi Tequila Bar, 3906 N. Broadway, has announced a partnership with Sorbetsmith for Chicago's first-ever "Almost Summer" sorbet dinner. The event is Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m., and plantain-crusted halibut and sorbet tacos will be among the dishes offered. The cost is $45 per person; call 773-549-2932 or email jose@elmariachitequilabar.com .
—The dec Rooftop Lounge + Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., has opened its doors with completely new food and beverage menus. Situated 12 stories above Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile, The dec features views and a mixologist-driven cocktail program. Among the eats are snacks, salads, flatbreads and burgers/sandwiches. Visit www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc/dining/lounges/the_dec_rooftop_lounge_bar/ .
—Bow & Stern Oyster Bar, 1371 W. Chicago Ave., will hold its inaugural Oyster Dinner on Wed., May 21, Menu items include a first course of Temple Farms spinach salad with orange sesame vinagrette, picked red onions, pickled fennel and goat cheese; a second course of pickled oysters, wasabi ginger cucumbers and caviar; a third course of wagyu beef, asparagus, smashed potatoes and bearnaise popcorn fried oysters; and the fourth course, key lime pie. The price of the May 21 oyster dinner is $65 per person, and reservations are required; call 312-988-0644.
—On Monday, May 19, five chefs from Chicago, Kansas City and New Orleans will join Big Jones chef-owner Paul Fehribach to present the second annual Trash Fish Dinner. The family-style dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature seven courses. The cost of the dinner is $125 per person, including tax and gratuity. Tickets are required; call 617-236-5200 or visit chefscollaborative.org/events.
—On Saturday, May 24, the second annual West Loop Craft Beer Fest will take place on Clinton Street in front of the French Market between Lake Street and Washington Avenue, 12-5 p.m. The festival celebrates the conclusion of the Fifth Annual Chicago Craft Beer Week, which the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild organizes. Tickets are $50-$75, and include 20 tastings; visit westloopcraftbeerfest.brownpapertickets.com .
—Tuscany Restaurant in Wheeling, 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., now has a gluten-free menu. Menu items range from $7 to $23 each, and highlights include Pollo alla Parma, Scaloppine alla Marsala, gluten free pizza and more. Visit www.tuscanychicago.com/tuscany-wheeling.
—LagerJam IV will return to Mahoney's Pub & Grille on Sunday, June 1, 12-3 p.m., and this fourth installment will benefit Variety: The Children's Charity. ( LagerJam IV is an afternoon of craft beer and sausage sampling. ) LagerJam IV will provide patrons, ages 21 and over, a variety of three-ounce samples of 25 craft beers per person, paired with bite-sized samples of complementing sausages for $25 per person. Visit www.EventBrite.com, keyword: LAGER JAM.
—On Saturday, June 14, South Water Kitchen will host a special five-course Father's Day Eve Beer Dinner, 5-10 p.m. Each course of the menu, crafted by Executive Chef Roger Waysok and Head Bartender/Certified Cicerone Dan Rook, is infused with local craft beer. The cost is $68/person; visit www.southwaterkitchen.com or call 312-236-9300.
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