Weekend Food Events Around Chicago

Kind of last minute, but there are some events of 'food interest' this weekend.  First and foremost is Chicago Gourmet - a two day food and wine extravaganza.  The event includes celebrity cook demonstrations (Rick Bayless, Ted Allen, Alpana Singh), seminars, book signings, and, of course, food and wine tastings!  It is a somewhat pricey event to attend.  Tickets are $150+.  My attendance will be made possible by a Groupon sponsored coupon from about a week ago that made it possible to attend for almost half of the original price:)  I will take a camera.  Visit www.chicagogourmet.org for more info on tickets.

For those who want to get up-close-and-personal with Rick Bayless and cannot attend Chicago Gourmet, a friend just sent me an article from the "Chicago Reader" on a Frontera Fiesta and Garden Tour.  The event takes place on Saturday, September 26th, from 11:30a-2:30p and includes a guided tour through Rick Bayless' three-lot urban organic garden from which he sources some of the produce used on the menu at his restaurants.  The tour is followed by a private three-course meal at Frontera.  The price tag is $85.

Email aiwf-chicago@sbcglobal.net or call 312-661-1434 for more information on the Frontera Fiesta.

Also, catch Top Chef's Stephanie Izard at Moonshine's Rib-A-Que Smoke-out on Saturday, written about in a previous blog from this week, or check out a Fall favorite at St Alphonsus Church - Oktoberfest!  Oktoberfest is happening all weekend and features a little German music, food and beer, along with a lot of the typical street fest fare.  It's fun all the same.  Hours are as follows:

Sept 25: 5p-10p

Sept 26: 12p - 10p

Sept 27:12p-6:30pSuggested donation is $5.  St Alphonsus is located at 3000 N Lincoln Ave at Lincoln and Southport Avenues.

Another Note on Black Star Farms

I know Iron Chef Mario Batali is a summer resident of Northport, Michigan and have many reports of him frequenting the vineyards (such as L. Mawby) of the Leelanau Wine Trail in Michigan and attending various food and wine events throughout the summer.  This is a testament to my shameless snooping and chatting up the people who work in the tasting rooms.


My parents were recently at the Black Star Farms tasting room in Traverse City and struck up a conversation with the wine pourer.  He said that Mario now supplies the pizzas for the cafe at the Suttons Bay location of Black Star Farms.  I haven't been able to find any info on this development online, so this news is unconfirmed, but will certainly be stopping in next time I am in the area.  I posted an article on this blog recently from the Huffinton Post on the evolving 'foodie' culture in northern Michigan and Mario was interviewed on the topic.  

Haunted Vineyard at Black Star Farms

Though I won't be making the 5 hour trip from Chicago to northern Michigan to check it out this year, I certainly wish I could.  What an amazing idea from one of my favorite vineyards to visit - a haunted hayride on the vineyard!

Starting October 2nd, the hayride will take place at the Suttons Bay location leaving from the Hearth and Vine Cafe every Friday and Saturday in October from 6p-10p.  Pizza, wine and mulled cider will be available.  

A $25 gift certificate for use in any of Blackstar Farms tasting rooms or at the Inn will be issued to each volunteer  per evening.  

Call Jill Ryan at 231-360-0134 for more details and to sign up for volunteering. 

Black Star Farms
10844 E Reyvold Road
Suttons Bay, MI
www.blackstarfarms.com 

Metromix Beer Event at Brasserie JO

Get tickets now for October, 14th, 6-8 PM

Metromix and Brasserie JO are partnering up to bring you more than 40 beers for only $22.  Sample beers from all over the world! 

Get your tickets now at Ticket Leap: www.ticketleap.com Keyword Brasserie JO

View complete list of participating breweries.

2nd Annual Jack Daniels Rib-A-Que at Moonshine

Moonshine Parking Lot
1824 W Division
Saturday, September 26th
12p-6p

This rib cook-off, which is cohosted by Socca, is the closest thing to a Food Network style competition that you will find in Chicago.  The event includes competitors from 16 area restaurants, Chicago's Sweet Baby Ray's, and Kendall College Culinary School all putting their recipes to the test for you to determine the winner (along with celebrity judges Stephanie Izard - winner of Bravo's "Top Chef" and Chris Koetke - Dean of Culinary Arts at Kendall College.)

Moonshine will be serving $5 Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg Lemonade and Downhome Punch and $4 beer/$12 pitchers of their own hand-crafted beers from Brew Master Rev. Bob Kitrell.

Tickets are $25 in advance/ $35 at the door
www.ticketweb.com or call Moonshine at 773.862.8686

BIN 36 Fall Harvest - Blend Your Own Wine

Blend a custom wine under the guidance of wine director Brian Duncan. Includes grape juices from Hahn Estates, an opportunity to design a label, wine and appetizers
Participants may also order a case of their custom blend ($180) or a six pack ($95), which is delivered to your home approximately six weeks later.


When: October 4 : 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
RSVP required, includes lots of harvest munchies and BIN 36 wines.
Event Phone Number: 312-755-9463
Buy tickets at http://brianhalltest.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product68.html

Bacon Infused Beer - Seriously!

My friend just sent me an article about the debut of Brooklyn Brewery's Reinschweinsgebot bacon-infused beer.  I have tasted smoked beers, but never heard of one that was literally infused with smoked pork product.  Brooklyn Brewery's version is produced using some amazing process that transfers the aroma of Benton's Country Smokehouse Bacon without any of the actual fat.  Impressive!  

In a quick Google search, I came across some homebrew recipes for bacon beer, complete with step-by-step photos of bacon in the frying pan, but something tells me that in these recipes the bacon grease is somehow making it's way into the finished product. 

Brooklyn Brewery produced only 21 cases for limited distribution, so as with all good things, you will have to wait - or more likely do without.  The beer was made available during a beer pairing dinner at New York's Per Se restaurant last Friday at a cost of $350 per head.  In the meantime, check out "Beer Advocate" for a list of smoked beers that you can try for a quick fix.  

Binny's carries a complete line Brooklyn Brewery's beers that are in distribution.  In keeping with the season, I suggest Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale or Brooklyn Oktoberfest.