Oct. 02--Taste Talks Chicago returns for a second year this weekend with its mission to "discuss, analyze, and theorize about the future of taste." But you know there will be more than just good talk offered, like lots of tasty food and drink and a chef-studded barbecue blowout Sunday, that at $45 has got to be the best festival deal this season.
"What's next in the food world?" is the thrust of Taste Talks, says Will Levitt, the festival director. That question, he adds, moves from tastings into the realms of music, culture, startup technology and more -- both over the weekend and beyond.
"Our intention is to have a conversation that begins at Taste Talks and builds out from there," he says. "We want to have people meet new people."
Chef Paul Kahan of One Off Hospitality (Blackbird, Avec, The Publican, etc.) is serving again this year as a festival curator. Joining him in that role will be chef April Bloomfield of New York's Spotted Pig and other restaurants.
You can buy tickets to festival events, either singly or as a package, online -- even the day of the event if there's space. Prices range from $45 for the All-Star BBQ to $495 for the Kitchen Sink package, which provides access to all festival events.
Here's the skinny (and individual ticket prices).
Friday:
Mother of Pearl dinner. $90. 7-10 p.m. Local Foods, 1427 W. Willow St. A happy hour featuring oysters and wine pairings followed by a multicourse dinner. Among those slated to participate are Eric Mansavage of Farmhouse Chicago; Michael Sheerin of Embeya; Abra Berens of Stock Kitchens at Local Foods; Bang Bang! Pie Biscuits; and Mindy Segal of Mindy's HotChocolate.
Saturday
Conference panels: $100. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Morgan's on Fulton, 950 W. Fulton Market. Topics range from "Waste Not: Whole Animal Butchery" to "Unlocking the Secrets of Chicago's Specialty Bars" to "How to Run a Restaurant" to "Wines You Haven't Tasted" and more. A fun twist: Taste Talks has partnered with the Kellogg Co. to offer a cereal bar where you can taste creations from celebrity chefs. In a throwdown at 12:15 p.m., three chefs compete to see who can make the most creative cereal.
April Bloomfield's Pop Up Gastropub: $90. 7-9 p.m. Virgin Hotels Chicago, 203 N. Wabash Ave. This event, marking the release of Bloomfield's new book, "A Girl and Her Greens" (Ecco, $34.99), will feature Bloomfield-inspired hors d'oeuvres from Virgin Hotel Executive Chef Rick Gresh and drinks from Chicago's Goose Island, among others.
Sunday
All-Star BBQ: $45. Entry at noon or 2:30 p.m. 3000-3200 W. Palmer Blvd. Twelve chefs are expected to take part in this barbecue in Palmer Square, including: Paul Kahan, Fergus Henderson of London's St. John, Jessica Koslow of Sqirl in Los Angeles, Sarah Jayne Grueneberg of the soon-to-open Monteverde in Chicago, Abe Conlon of Chicago's Fat Rice, Tony Quartaro of Formento's in Chicago, Matt Danko of Sink/Swim in Chicago, Matthias Merges of A10, Billy Sunday and Yusho, all of Chicago, Nicole Pederson of Evanston's Found Kitchen and Paul McGee of Land and Sea Dept. in Chicago.
Closing Night Chef's Party. 7-10 p.m. Morgan's on Fulton. Open only to holders of Kitchen Sink All-Access passes.
Taste Talks Chicago is sponsored by Northside Media Group of Brooklyn, N.Y.
wdaley@tribpub.com
Twitter @billdaley
