Are you one of those folks who realizes there is so much wine and such little time? Are you one of those people who believes in small indulgences? Then the 2018 Grand Cru presented by UnitedHealthcare at the Bon Appetite Chicago Gourmet Festival (Sept 26-30) is for you! I wrote about my experience at the 2017 event here.
Held in the awe-inspiring surroundings of Millenium Park in Chicago, the Grand Cru, set on the Harris Theater Rooftop, is a perfect storm for 2 hours of luxury wines, food, chefs and sommeliers.
The Saturday Grand Cru is sold out but there are still tickets for Sunday’s event. The Grand Cru is a separate ticket above the ticket for the Gourmet Festival. The event is curated by first-time hosts, Chefs Graham Elliot and Matthias Merges. Each chef will present dishes inspired by handpicked songs from their favorite playlists. The soundtrack of chefs featured include:
Graham Elliot, Gideon Sweet, Matthias Merges, Billy Sunday, Old Irving Brewing Co. Lucky Dorr, Gideon Sweet, Mordecai, Chris Gawonski, Acanto, The Gage, Jason Hammel/Sarah Rinkavage Marisol, Josh Kulp/Christine Cikowski Honey Butter-Fried Chicken, Ben Lustbader Giant, City Mouse, John Manion, La Sirena Clandestina, El Che Bar, David & Anna Posey Elske, Christian Ragano, Cindy’s, Dan Snowden Bad Hunter, Paul Virant Vie, Vistro.
The Grand Cru will bring together Champagne and caviar, Burgundy and Bordeaux, Barolo and Tuscany, Napa, Rioja, vintage Port, Whiskey, Single Malts, all in one room, an indulgent festival within a festival.
And if you are reading this and the Grand Cru on Sunday is already sold-out, there are wine gems within the Gourmet Festival itself, the Wine Seminars which I wrote about here. Here is the jam-packed seminar schedule. Last years lineup included this one.
This year there is also an event on Friday, Battle of the Masters, Rock out with the greatest minds and palates in the wine industry as they bring together food, wine and music all under one roof and on one menu! With each course three Master Sommeliers will go head-to-head with a wine & song pairing to compliment the featured chef’s dish and you will be the critic, the sommeliers include, Serafin Alvarado, MS, Matthew Citriglia, MS, Eric Hemer, MS, MW, Guy Stout, MS, Kathy Morgan, MS, Madeline Triffon, MS, Joseph Spellman, MS, Alpana Singh, MS.
This fun event will be held at Swift and Sons, Friday Sept 28 12-2pm.
For a weekend in September 26- 30, Chicago becomes the wine and food center of the universe during the Chicago Gourmet Festival. Life is short, make the most of your wine time!!!! Cheers!
Traveling By The Glass 