Sept. 01--If last weekend's successful Chicago Food + Wine Festival had you looking forward to this month's annual Chicago Gourmet (Sept. 26 and 27 in Millennium Park), I have bad news.
Tickets for the two-day tasting, including the exclusive Grand Cru tasting, are all gone.
Organizers say this is the fastest sellout in Chicago Gourmet's eight-year history.
Also sold out is the Hamburger Hop, the friendly gourmet-burger competition that serves as the weekend's unofficial kickoff.
You're not completely out of luck, however; four tangential events still have ticket availability:
Toast to Charlie Trotter. Hosted by chef Emeril Lagasse, the four-course lunch will include a preview of Lagasse's new book, "Essential Emeril: Favorite Recipes and Hard-Won Wisdom From My Life," which will be released in October. Sept. 25, 1-3 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Drive). Tickets $175; proceeds will benefit Charlie Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation.
Late Night Gourmet. Late-night bites, drinks and dance party (music by DJ Rock City). A good place for people-watching and celeb-spotting. Sept. 25, 9 p.m. to midnight at The Underground (56 W. Illinois St.). Tickets $50.
Punch Kings, Pigs n' Tiki. Featuring the organizers of Cochon 555 U.S. Tour and Punch Kings, this new event has 12 local bartenders competing to create Tiki-inspired punch bowls, and 10 chefs and heritage farmers partnering in a competitive pig roast. Sept. 25, 8-11 p.m. on the Harris Theater Rooftop (205 E. Randolph St.). Tickets $75; portion of proceeds will benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation.
Rise Shine Gourmet. A new family-friendly event, Rise Shine offers wellness activities (yoga class, fun run) and brunch bites by Hoosier Mama Pie Company, One Off Hospitality, Lula Cafe, A10 and more. Pilot Light co-founder Paul Kahan will conduct a demonstration (one being taught in Chicago Public Schools) about how food brings people together. Sept. 27, 8-11 a.m. at Maggie Daley Park. Tickets $55; $15 ages 5-12; free under 5; proceeds will benefit the Pilot Light program.
For tickets and other information, go to chicagogourmet.org.
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.
pvettel@tribpub.com
Twitter @philvettel
