DETAILS: Discover the unique heritage behind Journeyman Distillery at their Meet the Makers series, a FREE educational event hosted at The American Factory. Hosted on select Saturdays, guests will have the opportunity to meet the talented team at Journeyman and learn the art of distilling, cocktail creation, scratch cooking, and craft brewing and sample some of Journeyman’s award-winning spirits and cocktails. Upcoming Meet the Makers sessions in August include:
Cocktail Creation with Daniel Lagestee, Tish Wlodarkczyk, and Bill and Johanna Welter on August 10th
Distilling with Jacob Rippetoe and Bill and Johanna Welter on August 17th
DIRTY BOOTS COUNTRY NIGHT
DATE: August 17
WHERE: The American Factory 258 S Campbell St, Valparaiso IN 46385
DETAILS: Giddy up boys and girls! Grab your cowboy boots and hats and head over to The American Factory for an evening of dancing, cocktails, and live country music. Hosted in the campus’ East Room, come dressed in your best Western attire and enjoy line dancing lessons and live country music from Steel Country. Tickets are $25/person and include admission to the event, complimentary line dancing instruction, a welcome cocktail, and a drink ticket.
SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES
DATE: Weekly on Saturday
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
WHERE: The American Factory 258 S Campbell St, Valparaiso IN 46385
DETAILS: Head over to The American Factory’s outdoor courtyard to enjoy FREE live music every Saturday night. Grab your friends and family to enjoy the warm summer weather and support local music acts like Pablo Balldetti, Marco Villarreal, Sarah Archer, Ric Fierabracci, and Frank Rovolli.
POLYNESIAN CHEF’S DINNER
DATE: August 23rd
WHERE: The Featherbone Factory 109 Generations Dr, Three Oaks, MI 49128
DETAILS: Escape to a tropical paradise at Journeyman’s Polynesian Dinner, the latest installment of their Chef Dinner Series. Chef Amanda Salas is dishing out a flavorful lineup of island-inspired dishes paired with cocktails made with Journeyman’s award-winning spirits. The team will be setting up a variety of buffets including a Polynesian Pig Buffet with hearty offerings like Roasted Pork Loin with roasted pineapple and Pulled Pork served with Polynesian barbecue sauce and Hawaiian Rolls and a cold buffet with sides like Shrimp Poke and Tropical Fruit Salad. For dessert, indulge in a variety of delectable sweets like Pina Colada Panna Cotta and Chocolate Macadamia Nut Tarts. Tickets are $45/person and can be purchased here.
Expanded Programming Offers Visitors an Inside Look into the World of Whiskey Making, Beam Family History, and Eight Generations of Craftsmanship.
The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the World’s #1 bourbon Jim Beam®, is excited to announce several new visitor experiences and an expanded events calendar this year. New offerings include brand-specific consumer experiences for Knob Creek® and Jim Beam® and for the first time ever, consumers will have access to the state-of-the-art Fred B. Noe Distillery with a limited series of “Behind The Beam” events where guests can enjoy a personalized tour and tasting led by one of our Master Distillers, Fred or Freddie Noe.
These newly designed experiences have been thoughtfully curated to make guests feel part of the First Family of Bourbon and immerse them into their 229 years of whiskey-making expertise. In 2022, The James B. Beam Distilling Co. underwent a multi-million-dollar campus renovation including a revamp of the American Outpost, opening of The Fred B. Noe Distillery, and adding The Kitchen Table restaurant, further establishing the distillery as a must-visit tourism destination. Since then, daily visits have increased by 60%, and last year alone, The James B. Beam Distilling Co. welcomed over 126,000 visitors. This is part of a larger post-pandemic tourism trend and travel boom, and according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail surpassed a record-breaking two million visitors in 2022.
For the first time in 229 years, father and son Master Distillers are working alongside one another to continue inventing and reinventing the American Whiskey category. Fred Noe, 7th Generation Master Distiller, oversees some of the most well-known whiskeys in the world including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek®; while his son Freddie, 8th Generation Master Distiller is at the helm of innovation in American Whiskey and oversees The Fred B. Noe Distillery which opened its doors in 2021 for small batch production of Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, and more.
The James B. Beam Distilling Co. Visitor Experiences
In addition to the new tours outlined below, guests can still book the classics like the Basil Hayden Culinary Tasting Experience, Family Reserve Tasting, Beam Made Bourbon Distillery Tour & Tasting, and Meet the Family Tasting. A list of tours can be found here.
· Behind the Beam ($350): Get a glimpse behind the scenes at the production methods that helped the First Family of Bourbon build the world’s favorite Bourbon and an innovative portfolio of small-batch whiskeys. In Behind the Beam, guests are guided on a behind-the-scenes tour of the newly opened Fred B. Noe Distillery, have a front row seat to the bottling process of Knob Creek® Single Barrel Reserve and enjoy tasting and storytelling led by a Master Distiller. Following the tour, guests are treated to some of Beam’s finest whiskey and a few of the most sought-after new releases paired with a Kentucky-inspired lunch at The Kitchen Table. Behind the Beam dates and themes can be found here.
Themes:
· Behind The Beam – Maturation Matters
Bourbon lovers can join Fred and Freddie Noe on an experience through the historic warehouses of James B. Beam Distilling Co. where guests will learn the secrets of how time, temperature and wood impact the World’s #1 Bourbon.
· Behind The Beam – Little Book® + Country Ham
When Freddie Noe set out to make his own mark on the bourbon industry, he wanted to honor his grandfather Booker by creating a product with one attribute in mind: flavor. Join Freddie Noe as he takes you through the process of blending a new batch of Little Book and enjoy a tasting against other traditional bourbons to showcase the contrast and what blending can do to elevate flavors. After, you’ll join Freddie to see how his innovative flair extends to a famous family heirloom: Freddie’s country ham. Whether it is in bourbon or cooking, the Beam family has always pushed the boundaries of flavor.
· Behind The Beam – Cocktails
Fred and Freddie love nothing more than using Beam bourbons to make cocktails. Yet with so much mixology experience, what are the favorite cocktails of the Master Distillers of the First Family of Bourbon? An immersive mixology experience in which you’ll explore which cocktails pair best with Beam Distilling brands.
· 8 Generations Tasting Experience ($40): Taste through 229 years of whiskey making and discover the unique fingerprint each generation has left on this iconic spirit through a 40-minute guided experience. Guests will discover the Beam and Noe families’ rich legacy while tasting seven unique whiskeys, each a captivating chapter narrating their pioneering journey. From pre-prohibition classics to innovative contemporary expressions, this guided exploration lets guests experience the evolution of American Whiskey firsthand.
· Knob Creek Tasting Experience ($25): Embark on a guided tasting experience featuring Knob Creek’s lauded small-batch bourbons and rye whiskeys. Learn the secrets behind Knob Creek’s unique aging process through a 30-minute guided tour and discover how each different varietal tells its own story and learn how the release of Knob Creek® was a major step toward making the small-batch whiskey movement what it is today.
· Jim Beam Tasting Experience ($20): Journey through the iconic expressions of the World’s #1 Bourbon brand in this immersive experience with a curated selection of Jim Beam® expressions, allowing guests to appreciate the subtle nuances of each bottling. From Jacob Beam’s pre-prohibition roots to the modern-day leadership of Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe, this 30-minute guided exploration showcases the evolution of this iconic brand.
The Kitchen Table Restaurant and The Clermont Supper Club Dinner Series
The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has released 2024 dates for the Clermont Supper Club dinner series at The Kitchen Table, the full-service restaurant inspired by the original Beam family kitchen table, a place of storytelling, whiskey sharing and recipes. Guests can purchase dinner tickets and join Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe for an evening of Beam family-inspired fare, unique cocktails, tasting of new whiskeys and behind-the-scenes barrel stories directly from the First Family of Bourbon themselves. Dinner details and tickets can be found here.
Upcoming Clermont Supper Club Dates
· Thursday, June 13 – Bardstown Bourbon Collection™
· Thursday, July 18 – Knob Creek®
· Thursday, August 15 – Bakers® 13
· Thursday, September 12 – Little Book®
· Thursday, October 17 – Beam Family
· Thursday, November 14 – Distillers’ Share™
· Thursday, December 12 – Holiday Edition
Please visit beamdistilling.com for more information about The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and to purchase tickets to any of these experiences. While tours are limited to guests age 21+, guests of any age can visit the grounds and The Kitchen Table restaurant.
The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is an ideal location and venue for weddings, corporate travel and meetings, family gatherings, bachelor(ette) parties, birthdays and more. Inquiries can be made here.
About The James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Founded by America’s first family of bourbon, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. has crafted genuine American Whiskey since 1795. Its portfolio includes globally coveted and award-winning whiskey brands including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, Old Tub®, Old Overholt®, Old Crow®, and Old Grand-Dad®. Maintaining the whiskey traditions of eight generations of family distillers while advancing the category through innovation, the Beam family has defined what American Whiskey could be and should be for more than 225 years. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. crafts American Whiskey with genuine, quality ingredients that are distilled and aged without compromise at its family distilleries in Clermont, Kentucky.
About Suntory Global Spirits
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com and www.drinksmart.com.
Celebrate this year’s James Beard Awards® presented by Capital One, kicking off on Thursday, June 6 and extending through Tuesday, June 11. This celebratory weekend is packed with an vast array of intimate and grand-scale events, featuring special menus, exclusive out-of-town chef and bartender collaborations, educational sessions, and more. With one of the strongest lineups of public events since the arrival of the James Beard Awards® in Chicago in 2015, the weekend promises to be one of the most lively celebrations of the city’s dynamic dining scene this year.
Recognized as one of the nation’s most prestigious honors, the James Beard Awards celebrate excellence in the culinary and food media industries, and broader food system. They also honor individuals who demonstrate a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.
Co-hosts Choose Chicago and Illinois Restaurant Association champion the city’s vibrant hospitality community year-round, but this weekend provides a particularly proud moment. Open to the public, 2024 festivities include:
THURSDAY, JUNE 6
Mordecai’s James Beard Special Menu with Cocktail Pairings
Thursday, June 6th – Monday, June 10th
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Mordecai – 3632 North Clark Street, Chicago IL 60613
In celebration of the James Beard Awards, Mordecai will host a special James Beard menu with cocktail pairings in honor of the ceremony and James Beard Foundation from Thursday, June 6th – Monday, June 10th. Chef Djibril Webb has chosen two recipes from the James Beard Cookbook and Mordecai’s Bar Manager, Rena Long, created special cocktails to pair perfectly with each dish. The menu includes: Stuffed Little Neck Clams set to pair with the Vintage Mordecai Martini and the Breaded Pork Chop with Dill Caper Gravy paired with a cocktail featuring a coconut fat-washed Benriach 10, Bittermens Tepache pineapple, burnt coconut palm sugar, sfumato, and coriander bitters. A portion of the proceeds from each of the dishes and cocktails (sold a la carte) will be donated to the James Beard Foundation.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
Celebration of Old-World Wines with Terraneo Merchants
Friday, June 7th, 2024
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar – 2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
A two-part celebration with Sasha and Drue from Terraneo. To begin a two-part celebration, Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar will host a Happy Hour Take-over from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm to sample a variety of wine with Sasha and Drue from Terraneo Merchants. All wines will be happy hour priced. They will provide tastes and an in-depth dive with those curious to know more. The event will feature happy hour bites and plates with a Georgian Twist! Reservations are strongly suggested, and open to the public. For the second half of the celebration, the restaurant will pour many bottles of Georgian wine to be passed and many toasts by Sasha and Drue during a traditional Georgian Supra Feast from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
In the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, luxury boutique hotel Pendry Chicago’s rooftop cocktail haven, Château Carbide, will welcome the 2024 James Beard Award nominee (Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program) Strong Water Anaheim for a bar takeover 24 stories above the city. Operated by husband-and-wife duo Ying Chang and Robert Adamson, Strong Water Anaheim has gained nationwide recognition for its nautical-theme “tiki-easy” with rum-based libations, which transport guests onto a sunken ship embarking on an immersive tiki experience. Ying and Robert’s team will be on-site at the historic Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building shaking up a selection of fan-favorite cocktails from the menu of the James Beard Award nominated bar.
The Bartender’s Bookshelf: Toby Maloney & The Violet Hour host Danny Childs, Slow Drinks
7:30 pm -12:00 am
The Violet Hour – 1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
James Beard Award-winning author and barman Toby Maloney will welcome Danny Childs, author of Slow Drinks 2024 James Beard Media Award nominee (Beverage Book with Recipes) to The Violet Hour for “The Bartender’s Bookshelf.” The evening will be dedicated to showcasing the talent of the James Beard Media Awards nominee. Together with The Violet Hour team, ethnobotanist Danny has crafted a specialty menu that pulls recipes and inspiration from Slow Drinks, his acclaimed guide to foraging and fermenting seasonal sodas, botanical cocktails, homemade wines, and more.
Throughout the night, signed copies of Slow Drinks will be available for purchase on-site with the help of the local Chicago bookstore, The Book Cellar. The Violet Hour will open its doors to the public, inviting local cocktail enthusiasts to meet Danny and Toby and grab a drink from the collaborative menu and a signed copy of the book while supplies last.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday @ Sportsman’s Club
9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sportsman’s Club – 948 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
No reservations required
2023 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant, Philadelphia-based Friday, Saturday, Sunday, will take over Sportsman’s Club’s bar. Beginning at 9:00 pm, FSS head bartender Paul MacDonald will showcase some of the restaurant’s signature drinks in addition to a few one-night-only creations. This event is first come, first served. No reservations.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Cocktail for a Cause at Bar Mar & Bazaar Meat by José Andrés
Saturday, June 8th – Monday, June 10th 2024
All Day
Bar Mar & Bazaar Meat by José Andrés – 120 N Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
Sip for good! In celebration of and a show of commitment to the James Beard Awards in Chicago, Bar Mar by José Andrés and Bazaar Meat by José Andrés will donate a portion of proceeds from each Salt Air Margarita sold from Saturday, June 8 through Monday, June 11 to the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Programs. Whether a stop in during the energetic weekend or refreshment just before the ceremony at the Lyric, José’s signature margarita is the perfect way to cocktail for a great cause.
Summer Kickoff Party at Baobing!
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Baobing at Duck Duck Goat – 857 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
No reservation required
Chef Stephanie Izard at Baobing, her Taiwanese-inspired walk-up window next to Duck Duck Goat, will offer cocktails and ice cream sundaes to kick off summer!
Under the Influence: How Dining Trends are Shaping Drink Choices– A Panel Hosted by the James Beard Foundation®
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Biân – 600 W Chicago Ave Suite 001, Chicago, IL 60654
Leaders in restaurants, bars, and hospitality, as well as beverage producers, will convene to talk about how dining trends, menu creation, and consumption shape how consumers select their beverages. Kevin Boehm, Chairman and Co-Founder, Biân; Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Boka Restaurant Group; and 2019 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurateur will host the panel alongside Tahiirah Habibi and Richy Petrina, James Beard Awards Committee Members. Rodney Williams, James Beard Foundation Trustee and President, Diageo Beer Company will moderate the conversation. Panelists include:
Gregory Gourdet, Author, Chef and Owner, Kann; 2022 James Beard Book Award Winner; 2023 James Beard Award Winner for Best New Restaurant
Lynnette Marrero, Co-founder, Speed Rack and Partner, Delola
Julia Momosé, Partner and Creative Director, Kumiko; 2022 James Beard Book Award Winner
This intimate conversation, moderated by 2022 James Beard Leadership Award honoree and Justice for Migrant Women Founder Mónica Ramírez, will provide insight from two seasoned leaders in the food industry on the role of the restaurant industry in confronting crises and supporting care in the communities that surround them, and the workers that make them run. This conversation will look at trends they have seen since COVID, opportunities and promising practices, and the work that remains to be done.
Immigrant Women Leading Across the Food Supply Chain
James Beard Leadership Award Honorees Justice for Migrant Women and Oakland Bloom (for Understory) work to advance rights, power, and pathways to ownership for working-class migrant women in food. While migrant women’s labor and knowledge are a cornerstone of the food industry at all levels, their voices and experiences are often erased. The event will feature powerful conversation with migrant women in food, discussing their experiences and insights around food and migration, and how they are advancing a more just, connected, healthier, and inclusive vision for the industry and their communities.
Convenience Middle West
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Middle Brow – 2840 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
A two-part celebration with Antonio Salto of Polanco and Chef Guy Meikle of Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar. Reserve Level Tastings: To begin the two-part celebration, Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar will host a sampling of some of Polanco’s Reserve level caviars during a tasting led by Antonio Salto. Enjoy a menu of items at your leisure anytime between 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Reservations are $70 a person and reservations are strongly suggested, open to the public. Continue the two-part celebration with Antonio Salto and Chef Guy during a special tasting menu from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Tickets are $325 a person and all-inclusive with a max capacity of 24 guests, reservations are required.
Served Up: A Rooftop Pop-Up featuring James Beard Outstanding Bar Finalist Barr Hill Cocktail Bar at Château Carbide
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Château Carbide at Pendry Chicago – 230 N Michigan Ave., 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
Luxury boutique hotel ’s rooftop cocktail haven Château Carbide will welcome 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Bar, Vermont-based for a bar takeover 24 stories above the city. Barr Hill Cocktail Bar has gained nationwide recognition for its cocktail menu that combines handcrafted ingredients with cutting-edge bar techniques. From 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Barr Hill’s Head Distiller Ryan Christiansen and team will be onsite at the historic Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building chatting shaking up a selection of fan-favorite cocktails from their James Beard Award-nominated menu.
James Beard Tasting Menu at The Coach House
6:30 pm
The Coach House – 1742 W. Division Street, Chicago, IL Reservations Here
Enjoy an 8-course tasting menu by 2x James Beard Award-nominated Chef Zubair Mohajir, exploring the primary spices used in South Indian cuisine. Through storytelling and an exclusively unique menu, guests for this event will get to experience The Coach House in an entirely new and vibrant way.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
Coffee Chat: Culinary Titans Tackle Sustainability from Planet to Plate to People at Daisies
9:30 am – 11:00 am
Daisie’s – 2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Chef and Owner Joe Frillman of MICHELIN Green Starred Daisies in Logan Square will gather several of the industries’ leading voices in sustainability for an open-to-the-public coffee chat on the morning of Sunday, June 9th featuring Chicago’s own Green City Market, the city’s first year-round nonprofit farmers’ market that fights for citywide access to locally-grown, sustainably-produced food. From forging lasting bonds with local farmers to pioneering groundbreaking techniques in waste reduction and supporting local pollinators, the panel will share their insights and strategies for a more sustainable future. As they tackle pressing issues facing the industry today, attendees are welcome to nosh on a selection of hosted sweets and pastries by Jean Banchet Award-winning Executive Pastry Chef and Partner Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies as well as complimentary coffee and tea moderated by Food & Wine’s Chandra Ram, James Beard Media Award nominee, and IACP Award-nominated associate editorial director Chandra Ram, Daisies welcomes trailblazers including:
Joe Frillman of Daisies in Chicago, IL — MICHELIN Green Star, 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes
Chef Rick Bayless — Frontera, Xoco, Bar Sótano & More, Top Chef, Founder of Green City Market & Frontera Farmer Foundation, Seven-Time James Beard Award winner
Chef Geoff Davis of Burdell in Oakland, CA — 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: California, Esquire’s Best New Restaurants
Chef Rob Connoley of Bulrush in St. Louis, MO — 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: Midwest, Author: Acorns & Cattails: A Modern Foraging Cookbook of Forest, Farm & Field
Patrick Amice of Barr Hill Cocktail Bar and Distillery in Montpelier, VA — General Manager of Hospitality Operations, 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Bar Program
Nicole Yarovinsky of Daisies in Chicago, IL — Bar Director, 2x Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards Semi-Finalist
Get Roasted ‘24: Brew and Bites with Big Shoulders Coffee
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Big Shoulders Coffee Roasting Works – 2415 W 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Patricia and Tim Coonan will welcome all to the Roastery for the 2024 Get Roasted event. The event will feature fresh coffee and homemade pastries, live roasting demonstrations, a micro-lot pour-over station, an espresso bar with a latte art exhibition, mocktails and cocktails created by our mixologist, Alicia Scott, and local brewery Alarmist Brewing will be sponsoring the event with a small selection of their craft beers. Don’t miss the craft coffee brew and bites event of the year ahead of the James Beard Foundation Awards. All guests will receive a bag of freshly roasted coffee to go.
Steph & Chef Friends’ Beard Brunch!
11:00 am – Onward
Girl & the Goat – 809 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607
Stephanie Izard alongside Lee Anne Wong, Christina Nguyen, Elizabeth Falkner, and Karen Akunowicz, will host a very special brunch. Enjoy a tasty dish from each chef while supporting the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. Cocktails, beer, and wine will be available for a la carte purchase. Brunch will be a ticketed, family-style event with communal seating, please purchase the total amount of tickets for your entire party to ensure you will be seated next to one another. Please reach out to info@girlandthegoat.com with questions.
West Loop’s Sunday Brunch @ Nobu’s Rooftop
11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Nobu Chicago Rooftop – 155 N. Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Nobu will host a Sunday Brunch soiree at The Rooftop, the stunning restaurant and lounge on the 11th floor of Nobu Hotel Chicago, which recently received a MICHELIN Key. Get a taste of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s brunch menu while taking in one of the best views of Chicago’s skyline overlooking the burgeoning West Loop neighborhood. Attendees will be served reception-style Nobu brunch bites and crafted cocktails.
JBF Greens x Mi Tocaya Antojería
12:00pm – 2:30pm
Mi Tocaya Antojería – 2800 W. Lohan Blvd., Chicago IL 60647
Mi Tocaya Antojería will host JBF Greens and open for brunch so that the James Beard Foundation® Greens community (and friends!) can ring in the 2024 Awards. Translated to mean “my namesake” in Spanish, Mi Tocaya highlights chef — and James Beard Award nominee — Diana Dávila’s mission to reshape Mexican cuisine.
Since opening the restaurant in 2017, Chef Diana has established herself as a leader in and out of the kitchen. During the pandemic, she not only launched the Todos Ponen Project to support undocumented workers in the hospitality industry, but also provided free meals for the community, and remained steadfast in her commitment to her employees, farmers, and local vendors. For the occasion, chef Diana will prepare a 3-course brunch that highlights traditional favorites as well as lesser-known regional specialties inspired by her summers traveling through Mexico.
Up South
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Justice of the Pies – 8655 S Blackstone, Chicago, IL 60619
No reservation required
Chef Maya-Camille Broussard, 2022 James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Baker, Chef Serigne Mbaye, 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Best New Restaurant, Chef Adrienne Cheatham, 2023 James Beard Media Award nominated author of Sunday Best, and Chef Fariyal Abdullahi, 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Emerging Chef, will celebrate culinary brilliance on the South Side of Chicago. The UP SOUTH pop-up will feature offerings laced with Southern influences while retaining the spirit of the greater Black diaspora. Live music and terrace seating will be available at Justice of the Pies, a bakery proudly nestled in the center of Avalon Park on Chicago’s South Side.
The Rise and Impact of Chef Civic Leadership – A Panel Hosted by Chicago Chefs Cook
Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks offers residents and visitors 3-course meals or other special offers at discounted prices. The 14-day culinary promotion began February 26 and will end March 10. More than 30 local restaurants in seventeen different communities will be participating.
Restaurants include:
Aftermath Cidery & Winery, Valparaiso Asparagus Restaurant, Merrillville Bedarra Bar, Crown Point The Brewery Lodge & Supper Club, Michigan City Byway Brewing, Hammond Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Gary DOC’s Smokehouse and Craft Bar, Dyer Four Corners Winery, Valparaiso Freddy’s Steakhouse, Hammond Fuzzyline Brewery, Highland Gamba Ristorante, Merrillville Goblin and the Grocer, Beverly Shores Grindhouse Café, Griffith Jack Binion’s Steak, Hammond Jax’s Crown Town Grill, Crown Point Lighthouse Restaurant, Cedar Lake Midwest Eats, East Chicago Miller Pizza Company, Gary Northwoods Falls, St. John Off Square Brewing, Crown Point Parlor Doughnuts, Munster & Valparaiso River Rock Restaurant at White Hawk Country Club, Crown Point Rosebud Steakhouse, Munster Running Vines Winery, Chesterton T-Bones Pier 11, La Porte Teibel’s Restaurant, Schererville Tiny’s Coffee Bar, Gary Union Hall – Journeyman Distillery, Valparaiso William B’s Steakhouse at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa, Michigan City Zorn Brew Works Co., Michigan City
Specially priced menus are listed online at http://www.savorthesouthshore.com. Customers do not need a coupon or discount code, they only need to ask to order from the Savor menu. Savor Restaurant Weeks and participating restaurants will also be promoted through Facebook at www.facebook.com/SavorSouthShore and through a VIP Text List by texting “Savor” to 219- 799-7770 (standard text rates apply).
An all-new promotion this year, the South Shore Passport App will be available to download beginning on February 26! This app will replace the current South Shore Brewery Trail App and in addition to breweries will also include other passports including one for Restaurant Weeks. It will be available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
App users will be able to check-in to as many participating Savor restaurants as they can between February 26 – March 10. Each check-in earns an entry towards an exclusive gift card package valued at $250! One winner will be chosen at random the week of March 11. The more you dine out during “Savor the South Shore” …the greater the chance of winning!
Savor the South Shore was created by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority to promote area restaurants, attract new customers and highlight specialty menu items and pairings. Learn more at www.savorthesouthshore.com.
Choose Chicago is delighted to announce that Chicago has been selected to host the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. Following last year’s historic seventh consecutive win as Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best Big City,” we know the below tally of exciting new hotels, inventive restaurants, dynamic exhibitions, and eclectic festivals offers just a taste of what’s in store this winter/spring of 2024.
Come and discover big city culture, Midwestern hospitality, and urban adventure; visit ChooseChicago.com for more information.
Recent Accolades:
Chicago and its businesses were honored in multiple categories of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards:
Two Chicago hotels ranked in the Top 10 of The Best Hotels in the World: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler.The Peninsula Chicago earned the No. 9 spot.
Chicago restaurant Smyth was awarded its third MICHELIN Star.
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was named Best Airport in North America by Global Traveler for the 20th consecutive year. The award is voted on by readers in the publication’s GT Tested Reader Survey, which counts more than 20,000 write-in votes.
To read more about Chicago in the news, click here.
Step into the heart of bourbon country and experience the epitome of refinement at the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Classic.
This premier event, taking place in Louisville from February 21-24, is a celebration of the rich heritage, craftsmanship, and unparalleled flavors that define Kentucky’s iconic spirit. Indulge in exceptional tastings, participate in enlightening workshops, and savor sips that showcase bourbon craftsmanship.
The four-day event features events such the Cocktail & Culinary Challenge, Bourbon University and TASTE providing exclusive opportunities to the finest bourbons, culinary delights, and immersive educational experiences.
Celebrate this historic milestone and enjoy these several unique and bourbon-filled offerings as you venture along the trail.
Sampling includes:
Day as a Distiller: Hartfield & Co.Paris, KY: Have you ever thought about working at a distillery? Now’s your opportunity to dive into the craft distilling world! Spend a day working with Harfield & Co. and learn the skills and secrets behind the bourbon industry.
Whether mashing, distilling, bottling, tasting, or whatever else is happening that day, Hartfield & Co invites guests to experience the bourbon industry up close and personal.
· Cocktail Classes:Angel’s Envy, Louisville, KY: Master the art of crafting classic cocktails with skilled specialists at Angel’s Envy Distillery in Louisville, KY. Unleash your mixology potential by joining the Behind the Bar Class, led by talented cocktail experts. Whether attending the monthly class or the specialized Manhattan and Rye Cocktail Classes, there’s no better place to learn the secrets behind the bar.
What’s New in the Bourbon Industry
With such a rich foundation of tradition, the Kentucky Bourbon industry is paving the way forward with new and innovative experiences for 2024. The upcoming year will usher in exciting new offerings for the industry, including the expansion into Eastern Kentucky with Eastern Light Distilling set to break in early 2024.
If you are a fan of the FX/Hulu series “The Bear“, you may be excited to hear that the show is currently up for 13 EMMY nominations including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeremy Allen White), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Sydney Adamu), Outstanding Directing, and more! (Tune in on January 15, 2024, for the live telecast on FOX or stream it the next day on HULU.)
Chicago is often a backdrop for hit TV shows but Season 2 of “The Bear” has brought greater awareness to Chicago’s dynamic food scene. Extending beyond the famous Mr. Beef in Season 1, the second season highlights a range of Chicago hot spots from Michelin-star restaurants to casual pizza joints. It’s become so popular in fact that it’s even inspired a local operator to create Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour.
Setting the scene for a month of culinary excellence, the EMMY buzz surrounding “The Bear” is the perfect kick-off to Chicago Restaurant Week (January 19 – February 4, 2024) which officially begins Thursday, January 18 (6:00 – 9:00 p.m.) with First Bites Bash, an all-inclusive tasting event at the iconic Field Museum where guests can enjoy gourmet bites from local restaurants, sip wine, beer and spirits from top brands and explore select Field Museum exhibits after hour.
Chicago Restaurant Week will feature over 350 participating restaurants offering unbeatable prix fixe menus for a set price of just $25 for brunch/lunch and $42 or $59 for dinner.
Fans of “The Bear” might recognize the below restaurants and be interested in taking advantage of the following specials:
After, the companion cocktail lounge of Ever which is the stand-in for the Copenhagen restaurant where Chef Marcus perfects his dessert skills, is offering a 3-course dinner for $59 (*beverage tax and gratuity not included).
Avec, where Chef Syd gets a pre-service sneak peek and gets advice from famed Chicago restaurateur Donnie Madia is offering a 2-course brunch at $25 per guest, 3-course lunch at $25 per guest or 4-course dinner at $59 per guest (*beverage tax and gratuity not included).
Publican Quality Meats, where Chef Syd gets a butcher lesson from PQM’s very own Rob Levitt, is serving up a dinner menu for $59 (*beverage tax and gratuity not included).
Chicago’s own Michelin ‘Green Star’ recipient Daisies is offering 4-course dinner menus starting at $59. The Green Star is designed to recognize environmental sustainability, and Daisies is one of only 28 restaurants in North America, and the only one in Chicago, that can boast this accolade.
Additionally, there are dozens of acclaimed Michelin- and James Beard Award-winning spots on the list this year, an affordable way to experience more of Chicago’s creative, fine-dining scene: https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/dining/fine-dining-chicago-restaurant-week/Search the Participating Restaurants Guide to reserve your place; the website enables you to search via cuisine or neighborhood, indicate dietary preferences (gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan), and support women-owned and minority-owned businesses.
Bloomington, Indiana is bursting with autumn adventures, fall flavors, and some of the best ways to enjoy fall foliage. Here’s how to enjoy autumn adventure by water, land, and even air.
Though it might be hard to convince some people of this, Bloomington in the fall when the leaves turn jewel shades of garnet, tangerine quartz, and tourmaline (or red, orange, and yellow) is more than college football. Here in this college town where Indiana University’s campus melds into the historic downtown, there are seasonal festivals and flavors, cool, crisp weather, wineries, distilleries, and breweries as well as an amazing selection of ethnic restaurants including not one but two Tibetan eateries. In all, Bloomington, Indiana is a one stop shop for all the fall feels.
Here’s how:
On the water: Monroe County boasts three lakes, and each takes on a magical, majestic air and outdoor adventures during autumn. The rolling hills filled with orange, red, and yellow-leaved trees reflecting in the water is a breathtaking experience every visitor should check out during the fall season. Seasonal activities include boat rentals allowing visitors to cruise for the best fall foliage view. There’s also seasonal biking, fishing, hiking, campgrounds and more.
In the air: Nothing beats a fall foliage view from the top. While Bloomington is one of the Midwest’s top birding locations, nothing beats a bird eye’s view of the beautiful earth below. Bloomington is home to three popular hot air balloon companies including SkyVista Ballooning which offers a unique and customizable hot air balloon ride experience for everyone embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. For those who prefer to use their feet for a view from the top can climb the 133-step Hickory Ridge Fire Tower and snap a photo of the fall-toned tree tops. An autumnal view of Monroe County like no other. Nature lovers and avid hikers will be amazed by the Hoosier National Forest during fall.
On land: Indiana University, one of the most stunning college campuses in the country, shows off its colors in the fall (on the football field and campus). Be sure to attend a fall football game and/or take a trip to the campus.
And because fall season is also spooky season, for those interested in the other kind of “spirits” Bloomington is a great destination for Halloween vibes. Graduate Bloomington Hotel, a pet friendly place to stay, has a room dedicated to the hit Netflix show Stranger Things and if that’s not creepy enough, Bloomington offers cemetery hikes and tours with more Halloween activities to be announced soon. Mystery lovers will enjoy Indiana University’s Lilly LibrarySherlock Holmes in 221 Objects exhibit on display now through December 16.
