James Beard Foundation’s sixth annual Taste America is coming to Chicago Oct. 25 and 26 and we couldn’t be more excited — especially since we are the first to announce the incredible lineup for the kickoff reception, to be held in the West Loop at The Lakewood on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m.
“Raising the Bar — James Beard Foundation Celebrates Women Shaking Up Chicago’s Beverage Scene” will welcome five of Chicago’s top female mixologists to create specialty cocktails for the evening in conjunction with Breakthru Beverage Group.
The impressive lineup includes:
- Julieta Campos, Head Bartender, The Whistler
- Natalia Cardenas, Beverage Development Manager, Breakthru Beverage Group
- Jarmel Doss, Assistant Bar Director, The Aviary
- Julia Momose, Creative Director & Partner, Kumiko; Beverage Curator, Oriole
- Alpana Singh, Master Sommelier, Host of “Check Please!” and Owner, Terra and Vine
Eden Restaurant owner Jodi Fyfe and Executive Chef/Owner Devon Quinn are hosting the event, and will be providing beautiful seasonal bites to pair with the specialty cocktails created for the event by this talented group of beverage professionals. Other sponsors for the evening include the Illinois Restaurant Association, 3 Floyds Brewing Co., Choose Chicago, and S. Pellegrino. Make It Better is the official Media Partner for the event.
The best part? This event is accessible, both in terms of price (tickets are $100 each) and availability, as tickets go on sale this morning, although they’re sure to sell out quickly. The previously announced Taste America all-star benefit dinner on Friday, Oct. 26 is already sold out — but there is a wait list! For the full schedule of events and additional information, visit jamesbeard.org/taste-america-chicago.
More from Make It Better:
- 12 New Chicago Restaurants to Check Out (Plus 5 More on the Horizon)
- 8 Chicago Restaurants Serving Up Whole Grains in Deliciously Inventive Ways
- Chrissy Teigen’s Everything Bagel Cream Cheese Breakfast Bake Recipe From ‘Cravings: Hungry for More’
Julie Chernoff, Make It Better’s dining editor since its inception in 2007, graduated from Yale University with a degree in English — which she speaks fluently — and added a professional chef’s degree from the California Culinary Academy. She has worked for Boz Scaggs, Rick Bayless, and Wolfgang Puck (not all at the same time); and sits on the boards of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and Northlight Theatre. She and husband Josh are empty nesters since adult kids Adam and Leah have flown the coop. Rosie the Cockapoo relishes the extra attention.
