Chicago Sister Cities International Program
Natalie Campbell
Phone: 312.744.2172
E-mail: natalie.campbell@cityofchicago.orgINTERNATIONAL GOURMET CHEFS FROM CHICAGO’S SISTER CITIES FEATURED IN INAUGURAL CHICAGO GOURMET FESTIVAL SEPT. 26-28
“Sister Cities Dine Around” at nine local restaurants, September 25
(September, 2008) – Chicago Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP) will highlight the culinary works of international top chefs hailing from nine of Chicago’s 27 sister cities during the inaugural Chicago Gourmet culinary festival taking place at Millennium Park, Sept. 26-28, hosted by the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA). The “Sister Cities Gourmet” component of Chicago Gourmet will pair world-class culinary artists alongside renowned local chefs.
“Chicago already is recognized as one of the world’s greatest cities for food and wine,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “That’s why we are excited to feature acclaimed chefs from several of Chicago’s Sister Cities at the first-ever Chicago Gourmet festival.”
Featured events will range from a tour of the Green City Market, where chefs will purchase their locally grown and locally produced ingredients, to impressive Chicago Gourmet demonstrations throughout the weekend and an anticipated “Sister Cities Dine Around” on Thursday, Sept. 25. The Opening Night Reception on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Harris Rooftop at Millennium Park will feature signature dishes from Sister Cities International chefs and wines from Terlato Wines International. Tickets to the Opening Reception and Chicago Gourmet are available at www.chicagogourmet.org.
Held at each host chef restaurant, the “Sister Cities Dine Around” will highlight internationally inspired menus prepared collaboratively by foreign and host chefs at each of the participating chefs’ restaurants and feature gourmet samplings from different cultures. Tickets are $100 per person with proceeds benefiting the ongoing educational and cultural programming of Chicago Sister Cities International. Tickets are available at www.sistercitiesgourmet.com or by calling 312.744.8074.
Participating Chefs:
| Sister City | Chef | Restaurant | Host Chef/Restaurant |
| Athens, Greece | Lefteris Lazarou | Varoulko | Patrick Sheerin, The Signature Room at the 95th |
| Birmingham, UK | John Penn | College of Food Univ College Birmingham | Chef Michael Pivoney, Marion Street Cheese Market |
| Durban, South Africa | Mpume Dhlomo | Africa Meets Europe | John Meyer, BJ’s Market & Bakery |
| Galway, Ireland | Ciaran Gantley | Galway Bay Hotel | Dirk Flanigan, Gage |
| Osaka, Japan | Luke Elder | Hyatt Regency | Frank Brunacci, Sixteen |
| Mexico City, Mexico | Enrique Olveira | Pujol | TBD |
| Milan, Italy | Francesca Marsetti | Brasserie Iseo Brescia | Federico Comacchio , 437 Rush |
| Toronto, Canada | Tom Brodi | Canoe | TBD |
| Vilnius, Lithuania | Miroslav Stycinskij | Riviera at Hotel Vila Valakampiai | TBD |
Photo/Interview Opportunities for Press:
September 24:
7 a.m. – International chefs and host chefs will meet for the first time to tour the Green
City Market and buy ingredients for their collaborative food events
September 25:
6-8 p.m. – “Sister Cities Dine Around” at each of the host restaurants
September 26:
8 a.m. – Breakfast at Marion Street Cheese Market
9 a.m. – Tour of Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park
5 p.m. – All chefs arrive at Opening Night Reception at Millennium Park. Signature dishes from the international chefs will be featured.
September 27 and 28:
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday featuring Chef Demos at the Sister Cities Tent
About Chicago Gourmet
Chicago Gourmet is a world-class celebration of food, wine and the city’s rich culinary heritage. Attendees will sample the newest and best wines, foods, and wares; watch celebrity chefs demonstrate their passion for food during live demonstrations; and learn about today’s most interesting epicurean trends in the festival’s seminar series. Located in spectacular Millennium Park from September 26-28, 2008, Chicago Gourmet is being produced by the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Anton Family Foundation in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. Tickets to Chicago Gourmet can be purchased online at www.chicagogourmet.org
About CSCIP
The Chicago Sister Cities International Program, under the auspices of the City of Chicago, provides leadership to develop, manage, and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s sister cities. It aims to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medicine, social services, environment, and technology with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses. For more information about the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, please call (312) 744-2172 or visit www.chicagosistercities.com.
