Oct. 01--Ramenfest 2015 isn't until Nov. 7, but such is the expected demand that the first block of tickets is going up for sale online this Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m.
Tickets are $75 (plus service fee) and include a sampling of each ramen and two drinks. Other blocks of tickets will go on sale Oct. 9 and 16, according to Ramenfest organizers. VIP admission tickets ($150 plus service fee) permit entry one hour early and allow complete access to all ramen stations.
Ramen categories are: Classic, Beef, Pork, Chicken and Seafood. The event will begin at noon at Urbanbelly, 1400 W. Randolph St. Bill Kim, owner and executive chef, is hosting Ramenfest.
Twenty chefs are slated to compete for the best ramen title. A portion of the proceeds will go to Common Threads, the food education nonprofit charity founded by chef Art Smith. Among those slated to take part: Sarah Grueneberg of the upcoming Monteverde; Barry Sorkin of Smoque BBQ; Shin Thompson of Furious Spoon; Matthias Merges of Yusho; Christine Cikowski, Josh Kulp and Cam Wovon of Honey Butter Fried Chicken; Jimmy Bannos of The Purple Pig; Kevin Hickey of The Duck Inn; Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish Oyster; Chris Pandel of the upcoming Swift Sons; Craig Couper of Michael Jordan's Steak House; Brian Huston of Boltwood; Erling Wu-Bower of Nico Osteria; Shin Matsuda of Ani; and Ryan McCaskey of Acadia.
Wdaley@tribpub.com
Twitter @billdaley
