Bon Appétit Presents Chicago Gourmet 2012

Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet 2012 is similar to Chicago's popular Taste of Chicago but much more gourmet than the Taste with some of Chicago's top chefs demonstrating their culinary prowess. The event includes chef and sommelier seminars, as well as spirits, beers, and gourmet food samplings from over 150 of Chicago's best restaurants and chefs. Hundreds of renowned vintners, spirit makers, and premium breweries from around the world will also be there.

Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet 2012 was created by the Illinois Restaurant Association to honor both Chicago’s culinary achievements and the creative vision of its chefs, master sommeliers, and wine makers. The event is described as a "celebration of food and wine" and is an "interactive, epicurean affair showcases more than 150 of Chicago's finest restaurants and chefs."

Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet 2012 is Saturday, September 29, 2012, 12 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 30, 2012, 12 to 5 p.m. The Hamburger Hop opening event is on Friday, September 29. Times to be announced. The Grand Cru wine tasting event is both days from 2 to 4 p.m.

Chicago Gourmet will take place at Chicago's Millennium Park, Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue. (Suggested reading: Top 10 Online Gourmet Shops and Gourmet Brunch Menus)

Pre-sale tickets for the fifth annual Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet 2012 will be available beginning Thursday, May 31 at 10 a.m. at the Chicago Gourmet Web site. For a limited time, and while supplies last, tickets will cost $99 per person, per day, or $185 per person for a weekend pass. With tickets regularly priced at $159 per day, or $265 for a weekend pass, this offer reflects 38 percent savings on single day tickets and 30 percent savings on a weekend pass. (Prices exclude taxes and fees.) Additionally, tickets to the popular Grand Cru Tasting, which takes place from 2 - 4 p.m. each day of Chicago Gourmet and features wines and presentations with the nation's top master sommeliers, will be available for purchase during early registration. Tickets are $175 per person, plus the cost of general admission. Tickets for the Hamburger Hop - a burger showdown between the city and nation's top chefs - are $89 per person and will go on sale at a later date.

Top events include the Grand Cru Tasting, which takes place from 2 - 4 p.m. each day of the Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet 2012 and features wines and presentations with the nation's top Master Sommeliers. (General admission is $159 per day or $265 for a weekend pass.) Tickets are $175 per person, plus the cost of general admission. The Hamburger Hop - a burger showdown between the city and nation's top chefs - will take place on Friday, September 28, at the Harris Theater Rooftop. Tickets for this event are $89 per person and will go on sale at a later date.

Newly added this year is the Chicago Gourmet Wine & Spirits Dinner Series that showcases wine and spirits products and talent from Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois. The first event, Les Amis du Chef, is scheduled at Café des Architectes at the Sofitel Water Tower (20 E. Chestnut) on Thursday, June 7. The event will include a multi-course menu by Executive Chef Greg Biggers and Pastry Chef Patrick Fahy, as well as special guests Dirk Flanigan (Henri/The Gage) and Justin White (Small Bar) with wines paired by Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado (Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois). The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The cost is $90, all-inclusive. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased on the EventBrite Web site. Future event dates to be announced.