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On the Street
CHICAGO GOURMET 2026
LET YOUR TASTEBUDS DANCE SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2026
Chicago Gourmet, powered by Invesco QQQ, returns September 23–27, 2026, bringing five days of food, music, culture and culinary creativity to some of Chicago’s most iconic venues. This year’s theme, “Let Your Tastebuds Dance,” celebrates the rhythm and energy connecting great food and movement.
The festivities begin September 13 with Gourmet Tailgate, hosted by Jonathon Sawyer and Cheetie Kumar, before officially kicking off September 23 with two new experiences: the exclusive Global Stage Dinner on the Pritzker Pavilion stage, featuring chefs Lorena Garcia, Kwame Onwuachi, Tony Priolo and John Shields, and the vibrant Asian Night Market at Zhou B Art Center, hosted by Thai Dang and Beverly Kim.
The weekend’s main events include Tacos & Tequila on September 24, hosted by Rick Bayless, Marcos Carbajal and Diana Dávila, followed by Somm Sessions, where Chicago sommeliers pair wine, song and cuisine for a unique culinary experience.
Friday night brings the return of
Hamburger Hop, where chefs compete for Best Burger bragging rights, hosted by Joe Flamm and Jeff Mauro, complete with live music, breakdancing and an after-party at Toro.
Saturday’s Grand Cru takes over the Harris Theater Rooftop with more than 30 award-winning chefs, including Stephanie Izard, Lee Anne Wong, Sarah Grueneberg and Chris Shepherd. New this year, Chef Demos at Millennium Park will offer guests an up-close look at culinary techniques from stars including Rick Bayless, Tony Mantuano, Art Smith and Stephanie Izard.
The celebration closes September 27 with Rise & Shine Gourmet, a Southern-inspired brunch hosted by Art Smith and Erick Williams.
Adding another layer to the celebration, the Dine Around Series, September 1–18, brings Chicago Gourmet into neighborhoods across Chicagoland, with nearly 80 participating restaurants offering exclusive dishes, tasting menus, cocktails and wine pairings.
With more than 100 chefs participating, Chicago Gourmet 2026 promises a delicious, and decidedly dance-worthy—celebration of Chicago’s culinary scene.
To purchase tickets visit www.chicagogourmet.org