heyjude,

Welcome to LTHForum. I gather from your profile that you are Judith Mara, marketing and PR professional. Out of curiosity, what is your affiliation with the Green City Market?

heyjude wrote: I am seeing many more people buying the tickets who truly want to support the market and farmers joining us this year. It was very foodie focused event in the past, but I think this year will be a nice mix.

What I liked about the BBQ in past years is that it was priced in a way that could appeal to a broad spectrum of Chicagoans. At this year's price, I think the event has become way more exclusive. More wealthy doners may attend, I suppose, instead of real people who might benefit from having their food-horizons broadened. I suspect it was a conscious decision to move away from this be a community-oriented event that introduced people to the excitement of local food, and instead make it an expensive, exclusive fundraising event. That's too bad, imo.

Kennyz

Kennyz wrote:What I liked about the BBQ in past years is that it was priced in a way that could appeal to a broad spectrum of Chicagoans. At this year's price, I think the event has become way more exclusive. More wealthy doners may attend, I suppose, instead of real people who might benefit from having their food-horizons broadened. I suspect it was a conscious decision to move away from this be a community-oriented event that introduced people to the excitement of local food, and instead make it an expensive, exclusive fundraising event. That's too bad, imo.

To say that at $60/ticket it was open to a wide socioeconomic swath of Chicagoans, but at $100/ticket it's suddenly exclusive, seems kind of crazy to me.

-Dan

It's always a challenge to balance the mission of an organization with fundraising to further that mission. If the market can sell out the BBQ at $100 a head, and it means a better market pursuing and achieving its goals/mission, then I'm all for it.

dansch wrote:

Kennyz wrote:What I liked about the BBQ in past years is that it was priced in a way that could appeal to a broad spectrum of Chicagoans. At this year's price, I think the event has become way more exclusive. More wealthy doners may attend, I suppose, instead of real people who might benefit from having their food-horizons broadened. I suspect it was a conscious decision to move away from this be a community-oriented event that introduced people to the excitement of local food, and instead make it an expensive, exclusive fundraising event. That's too bad, imo.

To say that at $60/ticket it was open to a wide socioeconomic swath of Chicagoans, but at $100/ticket it's suddenly exclusive, seems kind of crazy to me.

-Dan

I could have said "broader" instead of "broad," I suppose.

If they needed to raise more money, and are able to do so by selling out at $100 per ticket, more power to them.

I would have to agree with a few folks who have said if they can get away with selling out the event @ $100 a pop more power to them. Seems like a good cause.

With that said I personally wouldnt pay $100 per ticket for this particular event for the same reasons as in years past: an event that spans only 2 hours, on a work night, for that ammount of coin? no thanks.

jimswside wrote:I would have to agree with a few folks who have said if they can get away with selling out the event @ $100 a pop more power to them. Seems like a good cause.

With that said I personally wouldnt pay $100 per ticket for this particular event for the same reasons as in years past: an event that spans only 2 hours on a work night for that ammount of coin? no thanks.

Is there anyone saying they shouldn't charge whatever they want? $100, $200, $10,000 - whatever, it's their BBQ. I just said I thought it was "too bad." You know, like it's "too bad" it's cloudy out today, even though Mother Nature has every right to give and take away the sun whenever she wants. It's too bad a flight to Europe costs so much. It's too bad my opponent at the final table made a horrible call, then hit a two-outer on the river. etc., etc.

Kennyz wrote:
Is there anyone saying they shouldn't charge whatever they want? $100, $200, $10,000 - whatever, it's their BBQ. I just said I thought it was "too bad."

I wasnt inferring that Kenny, having never been I do not know if the event is worth $100 or the previous years ammounts. I do agree anytime the cost of something goes up, perhaps pricing out some folks it is too bad.

dansch wrote:To say that at $60/ticket it was open to a wide socioeconomic swath of Chicagoans, but at $100/ticket it's suddenly exclusive, seems kind of crazy to me.

I disagree - we're talking about a 67% jump in price in a recessionary economy. At $60/person, that's cheaper than a night out at most of the participating restaurants. At $100/person, that's more than most of the participating restaurants.

For the record, I bought nine tickets (and am eating the cost for seven of them), so I obviously think it's still worth it. It just goes from being an absolute must-go event, to being a fun, but expensive, summer night out.

Independent George wrote:It just goes from being an absolute must-go event, to being a fun, but expensive, summer night out.

Pricing anything is an art. The lower the price, the easier it is to persuade people to attend. When I plan events, I try very hard for the lowest breakeven (fixed and variable costs) possible. I then don't have to worry about filling seats to cover costs. I try to fill seats to get a little more profit.

I agree it is risky to double the price especially when you are largely offering the same product. I went last year for the first time, I never visited every booth because I was tapped out. I only missed the tasting with long lines

Regards,

This is, as I understand it, a fundraiser. To me, that means if they can get more per ticket, and thereby raise more money, that is good. Fundraisers are not usually designed to be available to people of various income levels; they are designed to raise the most money they can for a (hopefully) worthy cause.

That said, when I went on a $50 ticket, I felt almost embarrassed to see that many of Chicago's top chefs working away for that price.

Independent George wrote:For the record, I bought nine tickets (and am eating the cost for seven of them

Does that mean you're looking to sell 7 tix?

Hi,

If someone really wants to support their favorite charity, they should simply write a check. Fundraisers to tease cash from people's pockets are pretty costly. Yet it is human nature to want something in return.

Regards,

Independent George wrote:

dansch wrote:To say that at $60/ticket it was open to a wide socioeconomic swath of Chicagoans, but at $100/ticket it's suddenly exclusive, seems kind of crazy to me.

I disagree - we're talking about a 67% jump in price in a recessionary economy. At $60/person, that's cheaper than a night out at most of the participating restaurants. At $100/person, that's more than most of the participating restaurants.

My point wasn't that the price change wasn't dramatic or suddenly crossed beyond the average per-head cost at a participating restaurant, it was simply that $60/head probably wasn't reasonable for KennyZ's "broad spectrum of Chicagoans" in the first place.

If it was designed, as Kenny implied, to be a "community-oriented event that introduced people to the excitement of local food" $60/head was already too high. Of course, I don't think that was ever the intent of the event - it's a fundraiser (which is fine by me).

-Dan

volkswankin wrote:I recall the tickets being about $50 last year and they always sold out on the first day they were made available to the public. Maybe they won't sell out so quickly now that they have doubled the price.

According to Trib today, there are still tickets left: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... lable.html

David Hammond wrote:

volkswankin wrote:I recall the tickets being about $50 last year and they always sold out on the first day they were made available to the public. Maybe they won't sell out so quickly now that they have doubled the price.

According to Trib today, there are still tickets left: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... lable.html

Do you recall if they were sold out by this time last year?

=R=

From June 21, 2009:

BR wrote:I was stupid and procrastinated purchasing tickets and I just found out that the event is sold out. If anyone cannot go or has two tickets I can purchase, please pm me. Thanks.

Kennyz wrote:From June 21, 2009:

BR wrote:I was stupid and procrastinated purchasing tickets and I just found out that the event is sold out. If anyone cannot go or has two tickets I can purchase, please pm me. Thanks.

Thanks, Kenny.

=R=

I made sure not to make the same mistake this year - I wasn't going to take the chance that sticker shock would scare people away.

At the market yesterday they had a sign saying there were 200 tickets left - not sure of status post-market but worth a call or stop on Wednesday.


I've procrastinated though it was a highlight of my summer last year ... somehow that extra cost coupled with no seating just made me cringe even though I love the market and will probably be depressed when the actual day rolls around (and may still give in and try to nab a ticket).

To those who have been....is this an eat while you're walking to the next station sort of thing, or should I bring a picnic blanket to set up a home base? TIA.

lonbeehold wrote:To those who have been....is this an eat while you're walking to the next station sort of thing, or should I bring a picnic blanket to set up a home base? TIA.

Last two years, I saw some folks with blankets, but my preferred mode of visiting this event is to wander, visit vendors, eat and run. Even then, I never feel I've eaten enough because inevitably there are so many food people here that conversations almost take precedence over consumption.

Hi,

I went last year for the first time. I did see some strategies on collecting and eating food.

- Some people carried cafeteria trays to collect samples. There was usually a second person collecting on trays at different lines. They would then meet from time to time to share and eat. Some collected only one sample to share, while others had enough samples to allow one per person.

- The only seating was for those who paid at a higher level. I saw some people in this area had their food brought to them. I knew some who had those seats who personally collected their own food. It may be those who were served either paid more or it was a private arrangment.

- I purposely went solo, though I found I quickly ran out of food steam after the first 45-minutes. I would likely pair up with someone, too.

- At the very beginning, the lines were shorter. They became longer as time went on. I never bothered with the star chefs with the really long lines. It was more my patience for standing in lines rather than reverse snobbery.
This is where the buddy system could work well. I could run to get all the small line stuff to feed my friend who patiently waits for the star chef stuff.

- I ran a frenzied pace, thus I cannot comment on bringing a blanket to eat quietly at the edges. Once I had my fill, I found plenty of people to talk to. I was pooped when it was over.

Regards,

Went for first time last year as well and envied the folks who had carried a blanket and tray to gather food then sit and enjoy. Then again, I kept strolling and after about an hour, I really wished for a place to settle and take the time to enjoy some of the foods a bit more. There are some park benches around but space on them is hard to grab ...

I was also not expecting the amount of alcohol available - pace yourself!

While the star chef stations were a bit overwhelming with long lines, there were a lot of great discoveries - and cooks having a really good time - which added to the fun of the food.

The tables all have service included but this year the fee went up from $1500 to $2500 I think - the tables seat 10 iirc. I had considered inviting some important clients to come to Chicago and do this but with the increase, it's a bit over the top.

I'm remembering now that last year at this event, I had the "brilliant" idea to invent a kind of tv-table that would rest about navel level, supported by an around-the-back-of-the-neck strap, and that would be wide enough to hold about two small plates, with a slot for the beverage. This way, one would consume food and drink with one hand free for grabbing more food and drink, all the while staying constantly in motion, like, you know, a shark.

David Hammond wrote:I'm remembering now that last year at this event, I had the "brilliant" idea to invent a kind of tv-table that would rest about navel level, supported by an around-the-back-of-the-neck strap, and that would be wide enough to hold about two small plates, with a slot for the beverage. This way, one would consume food and drink with one hand free for grabbing more food and drink, all the while staying constantly in motion, like, you know, a shark.

Maybe something like this? (And don't forget the costume).

The BBQ is a great event for wandering and chatting. In terms of maintaining stamina, I've just stopped finishing most of the plates (I try to limit myself to 2 or 3 bites, or no more than half of a given dish). Obviously I'm wasting food but it's the best way to try as many different things as possible. Pacing is key.

Thanks so much for the intell. This is the first year I've been able to attend. Can't wait!

My number 1 piece of advice: don't eat anything on a roll.

A ton of the tables were serving things on mini pretzel buns, rolls, etc. If it was something I really wanted to try, I just ate the filling and skipped the bread. With that much food available to sample, eating dozens of rolls just isn't an option.

-Dan

My number 1 piece of advice: try to eat things hot off the fryer/whatever.

A lot of things I tried when they were cooled down and thought little of, other people raved about-- because they'd had them hot. It's usually not that hard to tell where they're dishing it up fresh at any given moment; if you have to stand and drink somewhere for a minute or two while watching out of the corner of your eye for the next batch, do it.