It’s true, this year was my very first Chicago Gourmet! Now, before you start freaking out and saying, “How is it even possible that this is your FIRST Chicago Gourmet?!”, allow me to explain…
I moved to Chicago in June of 2013 and didn’t start my food blog until October of that year (after the first Chicago Gourmet). The following year, I was out of town, but seeing all the incredible photos from the weekend gave me a huge case of FOMO (look it up) and I knew I had to clear my schedule for Chicago Gourmet 2015.
Boy am I glad I saved this date, because this was one of the most fun foodie weekend I’ve had in a very long time. There were just so many incredible chefs, beautifully plated dishes and insanely delicious bites. Since I know some of you weren’t able to make it, I decided to share some of my favorite food memories from the weekend with you.
First stop…Hamburger Hop!
My Chicago Gourmet weekend was kicked off with the Hamburger Hop event. For those of you who haven’t been to the Hop before, it’s basically being on a live version of Top Chef. Over 20 of Chicago’s best chefs/restaurants create their best burger and the attendees get to walk around, try each one and then choose their favorite. There is also a panel of celebrity chefs and foodies that crown their favorite as well.
My top pick this year was Chef Doug Psaltis (RPM Steak) with his simplistic yet super flavorful truffle burger. Alas, the crowd did not agree and crowned Kuma’s Too Chef, Daniel Grynevich the people choice winner. Grynevich made a burger topped with raspberry-maple aioli sandwiched between a burger-bun top and a Belgian-waffle bottom.
The judges went a different route and declared David Burke’s Primehouse chef, Dino Tsaknis the winner with his Angus prime beef burger topped with porchetta, giardiniera, aged provolone and broccolini. It was a work of art.
Overall, this is one event during the Chicago Gourmet weekend that you don’t want to miss. Between the flavorful and unique burgers, amazing music (thank you DJ Megan Taylor) and infectious atmosphere, it’s impossible not to have a good time!
Who is meeting me at Hamburger Hop 2016? Cheers!
Now onto the main event! There were SO many delicious bites at Chicago Gourmet, I don’t even know where to begin (nor did I even get a chance to try them all). Here some of my highlights…
Fried Chicken Bites from Honey Butter Fried Chicken (Chef Christine Cikowski and Chef Josh Kulp)
Oyster Po’ Boy from RL Restaurant (Chef Ryan Pitts)
Spar-Tacos from Avli Restaurant (Chef Louie Alexakis)
Pork Tacos from Barbakoa Tacos & Tequila (Chef Dudley Nieto)
Gelato Pops from Marianos
Grilled S’mores Cone from Big Green Egg
Blue Moon Ice cream from Farmhouse (Eric Mansavage)
And of course, I have to include an honorable mention. The CHARCUTERIEEEEEE that was all over Chicago Gourmet. It was an absolute highlight of the weekend. No really. I think I ate my body weight in prosciutto.
Food aside, I think the best part of the entire weekend was spending it with my girlfriends. We laughed till we cried, ate till it hurt and photographed so much, people were staring. I love these girls…
Kelly Rizzo from Eat Travel Rock, Brett Firdman from Her Tasty Life and ME!
From Left: Brett Fridman from Her Tasty Life, Samantha Roby from Chicago Food Authority, Alex Palmer from Eat in Color and Me!
That about wraps up 2015 Chicago Gourmet. I’ve already started counting down until next year! I can’t wait! If you went this year, what were some of your favorite bites? Share in the comments below!
Love always,
Erica
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