2012 Green City Market Chef's BBQ Fundraiser, July 12

Tickets are now on sale for the Green City Market Chef's BBQ Fundraiser, on Thursday, July 12.

Prices have gone up to $125 per head, which is pretty steep. It's still worth it, in my opinion, but it's not the no-brainer that it was in previous years. I'll update with the participating chefs list once it's available.

Here are some links from prior years:

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

Green City Market Chef's BBQ Benefit will be held in Lincoln Park on Thursday, July 12, 2012, from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Rain or Shine. No dogs allowed.

One of the best summer events in Chicago, this grand picnic is held every July in picturesque Lincoln Park, with the fabulous Chicago skyline as a backdrop. This beautiful venue is ideal to showcase some of Chicago's finest chefs, the who's who of Chicago's culinary scene. All dishes served at the BBQ feature items offered from the bounty of the market with nearly 100 chefs/restaurants creating culinary magic. In addition to food, locally made beer, wine, hand-crafted cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

Tickets are available on brownpapertickets.com starting on May 5th and at the actual market on Wednesdays and Saturdays (at the Information Booth). Tickets will not be available at the BBQ!

Don't miss out on one of Chicago's most unique and tastiest events of the year. It doesn't get better than great food, drink, music, and the beauty of Lincoln Park on a summer evening in Chicago.

Ticket Prices:
> Ages 12+: $125.00 (includes entry and all food/beverages)
> Ages 12 and under: $25.00
> VIP Tickets: $250.00*
> VIP Tables: $2,500* (The VIP Heirloom table is $2,500 and seats ten. VIP tables can be purchased by calling the Green City Market office at 773.880.1266).

Rain or shine. All sales final. No refunds of exchanges. No dogs allowed.

*VIP Tickets/Tables: The VIP Heirloom table is $2,500 and seats ten. With VIP tickets, you can enter the VIP area at 4:30 pm. You will also get pre-event access and exclusive cocktails from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

As the Market grows and we're reaching a record number of children, families and adults, we also need to be able to support and increase our programs and educational initiatives (you can read about those programs here: http://greencitymarket.org/programs). Please know that all profits from ticket sales go to our programming. Together we can make a difference in the local, Chicago food system by providing information and education on how to eat better and live a healthier lifestyle.

I believe you can buy the tickets for $100 if you are a member.

Too steep for me this year which I regret ... it's such a great event.

When I purchased my tickets at the market yesterday, they were telling me how special this year's event was going to be. Of course, I was wondering how the event could get any better . . . always my single favorite evening of dining in Chicago.

Bought two at the market today and they said they were 60% sold. Get em quick!

Surprisingly there are still tickets ... I ended up springing for one and am so happy I did.

Who all from LTH is going?

Siun wrote:Surprisingly there are still tickets ... I ended up springing for one and am so happy I did.

Who all from LTH is going?

I wouldn't miss it. It's one of the highlights of summer for me.

Siun wrote:Surprisingly there are still tickets ... I ended up springing for one and am so happy I did.

Who all from LTH is going?

I'll be there with guests. Personally, $125 is about my limit; if it goes much higher, I'll probably skip it next year. At $50, I felt like I was robbing them; at $125, I feel like an even trade. At $150, I'd rather book reservations right down the street at Perennial.

Is there parking available for the event? How far away is it? I always go by bus, but I think my cousin is driving.

My wife and I will be there, even though we have movers taking all of our furniture that day. Unexpectedly long day, but should be a nice end to it.

Post-moving - way better than the pizza I always seem to end my moving days with!

On Parking - there's the lot for the History Museum (the VIP entrance is right there) but how many spaces are available is uncertain. If full, there's the parking garage just north of North Ave on Wells (at the Treasure Island) which is just a two block walk.

I'm with you on $125 being my limit (in fact it's a touch over my limit but I'm not getting away this summer so ...) and it does seem ticket sales are slower than usual as they are still promoting and not yet sold out.

We really should have an LTH seating area where we can trade notes ... !

Siun wrote:We really should have an LTH seating area where we can trade notes ... !

I wonder... maybe we should print up some LTH T-Shirts or hats, which would generally make it easier to find each other during events in general.

Independent George wrote:

Siun wrote:We really should have an LTH seating area where we can trade notes ... !

I wonder... maybe we should print up some LTH T-Shirts or hats, which would generally make it easier to find each other during events in general.

I'll be the guy eating way too much with food spilled all over his shirt.

=R=

Had lunch at Goose Island yesterday (not great) and noticed very few beers on tap. I asked and the manager said that they were going to be hosting the "after party" for the GCM dinner and they had a lot of special beers going on for that event. I'd head down for that but we are hosting 30 choir kids for dinner and whatever 15 to 17 year-old kids do.....

I think they finally hit their price-point limit as this years event is not sold out on event day. Unfortuanetly, it is a little too rich for us this year, and this will be the 1st time in 5 years i haven't bought tickets. Prices keep rising, and my paychecks don't. Story of my life.

I haven't been in the past. What's the typical dress code? Given that it may be in the high 80s this evening, are shorts OK or is it a dressier event?

And just to confirm, it's held in the same location as the regular market, right?

mhill95149 wrote:Had lunch at Goose Island yesterday (not great) and noticed very few beers on tap. I asked and the manager said that they were going to be hosting the "after party" for the GCM dinner and they had a lot of special beers going on for that event. I'd head down for that but we are hosting 30 choir kids for dinner and whatever 15 to 17 year-old kids do.....

In prior years the Goose after party has been quite eventful. You'd think all farmers were friends...

If you go, do report back on any hoo-ha's.

chgoeditor wrote:I haven't been in the past. What's the typical dress code? Given that it may be in the high 80s this evening, are shorts OK or is it a dressier event?

And just to confirm, it's held in the same location as the regular market, right?

There's no dress code. Wear what you like and dress for your comfort. Many people were shorts and t-shirts.

Yes, it's at the market venue.

=R=

chgoeditor wrote:I haven't been in the past. What's the typical dress code? Given that it may be in the high 80s this evening, are shorts OK or is it a dressier event?

And just to confirm, it's held in the same location as the regular market, right?

I'd go as far as to say light clothes designed for hot weather are a must. You only need to impress your tummy tonight!

BR wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:I haven't been in the past. What's the typical dress code? Given that it may be in the high 80s this evening, are shorts OK or is it a dressier event?

And just to confirm, it's held in the same location as the regular market, right?

I'd go as far as to say light clothes designed for hot weather are a must. You only need to impress your tummy tonight!

This and don't be afraid to throw something away after one bite are two key pieces of advice for successfully navigating this event.

BR wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:I haven't been in the past. What's the typical dress code? Given that it may be in the high 80s this evening, are shorts OK or is it a dressier event?

And just to confirm, it's held in the same location as the regular market, right?

I'd go as far as to say light clothes designed for hot weather are a must. You only need to impress your tummy tonight!

Exactly! I'll ne wearing shorts (apologies to everyone in advance) and a shirt that won't break my heart when it gets food dropped on it.

jesteinf wrote:This and don't be afraid to throw something away after one bite are two key pieces of advice for successfully navigating this event.

Or doggie/doggy bag it.

Louisa Chu wrote:

jesteinf wrote:This and don't be afraid to throw something away after one bite are two key pieces of advice for successfully navigating this event.

Or doggie/doggy bag it.

You're a model for us all. Really.

And don't forget to bring your own cup, plate and eating implements!

See you there.

David Hammond wrote:

Louisa Chu wrote:

jesteinf wrote:This and don't be afraid to throw something away after one bite are two key pieces of advice for successfully navigating this event.

Or doggie/doggy bag it.

You're a model for us all. Really.

Eyes and desire bigger than stomach, that's all.

Plus tomorrow you can say, "I'm having Green City Market Chef's BBQ for lunch!"

See you soon!

Louisa Chu wrote:

jesteinf wrote:This and don't be afraid to throw something away after one bite are two key pieces of advice for successfully navigating this event.

Or doggie/doggy bag it.

I just meant if you don't love something. Precious stomach space should not be wasted on mediocrity at this event.

ETA - Of course, if you're giving it to an actual dog then mediocrity matters less

jesteinf wrote:

Louisa Chu wrote:

jesteinf wrote:This and don't be afraid to throw something away after one bite are two key pieces of advice for successfully navigating this event.

Or doggie/doggy bag it.

I just meant if you don't love something. Precious stomach space should not be wasted on mediocrity at this event.

ETA - Of course, if you're giving it to an actual dog then mediocrity matters less

You know me too well. My actual dog Kiba Chu is a surprisingly picky eater, but I'm pretty sure she'll like anything from the GCM BBQ doggy/doggie bag.

It helps to have an eating partner to split things with and I often remove the bread. Lacking Kiba Chu I also bring a Tuperware container.

Heading up from the office ... looking around for tupperware!

I've never brought dishes, etc ... just strolled and noshed ... but this year I am carrying cold water since in the heat, I have an alcohol limit!

Wishing the nice little La Colombe coffee spot at the Perennial was open evenings for a post-event fix ... highly recommended if you're there during the day.

Nice to see so many LTH friends tonight and weather was really great - not too hot. I probably ate enough for the entire weekend (or so I say until breakfast tomorrow). I can probably recap later after more thought, but it was the chicken heart from Butcher & Larder that stole my heart. Oh Mado, wherefore are thou?!?

Beautiful night, overabundant chow, gregarious camaraderie.

And when I think back to the bite I remember most, it was the first, which is so lame to say, it was the first: chicken wings from Nomi with tobacco onions.

All day I’d eaten like a vegan (as Mark Bittman sez I should) and so my first moment of sinking teeth into animal protein was most satisfying, like a cool sip of water on a parched afternoon.



So remarkably good...or was it?

Dunno.

It was the first in a flurry of tastes, and it’s the one I remember the most.

I thought their wings were delicious as well - so simple yet so just right. A good pick! (and they had two nice tables right there were you could sit and properly enjoy those wings.)

I'm always interested to see if there are trends and this year it felt like Lamb was more popular than in the past? and so many sausages of various stripes as sandwiches.

I liked seeing some restaurants that are about to launch using the event as an introduction - and one of my favorite spots was one of these - Carriage House with their low country boil. Their whole tone and presentation was just so friendly and right ... their sides so tasty along with the corn and andouille and that peach hot sauce is something I want to have often.

With the heat, I was really happy to see some light options and appreciated Boka's "Cucumber Salad with pickled green strawberries, grilled watermelon, Shiso, Halumi, Wild Lily Pesto and raspberries." Chef Shelton mentioned having walked around last year and felt that the offerings were so carb heavy, he wanted to go a different direction and he certainly did a good job. GT Fish's Raspberry Fennel push pops were great as well - I needed two and could have done more.

Other favorites:

Surprised by how much I enjoyed the one two punch of Uncommon Ground Devon's Chilled BLT, Tomato Water Gelee, Crispy Pork, Rooftop Lettuce and Basil followed by Uncommon Ground Clark St's Peach Pot de Creme with Butterscotch Crumble with fresh berries

Sable's Cherry Smoked Duck with those blueberries

Frog & Snail's Skirt Steak with peaches, chimichurri and homemade ricotta (which reminded me of how much I enjoyed Levitski's homemade cream cheese two years ago)

Convito Cafe's Yellow Tomato Gazpacho was wonderful, refeshing and so pretty in the bowl

The Kahan empire's Beef Brabacoa with Sungold tomatoes (wonderfully intense baby ones) with Fresh Farmer's Cheese was wonderful and my favorite filling dish - and Chef's explanation - and photos - of the beef preparation made it even better!

and what was that tasty bite on the little wooden spoons ...

The Allium Watermelon Mojito was a wonderful drink - and my very simple but oh so perfect Death's Door Gin and Q Tonic was the perfect drink to sip while I strolled home.

While I saw a mention that they did in the end sell out, I was startled by how sparse the crowd was when I first arrived - I remember lines waiting to enter in the past. And there were fewer crazy lines at the likely spots (Frontera). There were water boxes everywhere - a definite plus after the last time I went (2 yrs ago) when there was no water to be had - and more non-alcoholic options as well as all the great drinks which I really appreciate when the temps get into the 90s.

All in all, a great evening.

Really, to me, perhaps overly jaded palate, the food this year did not seem nearly as good. A lot of the "proteins" seemed leaden or just boring. On the other hand, a lot of the vegetables showed better, especially the early sweet corn and tomatoes. For instance, that little corn nugget in the low country boil mentioned above (and I also agree about their friendliness). Same for mushy corn with bacon by Benny's; stellar dish, and who could complain at Osteria via Stato's panzenella with Nichol's tomatoes. Desserts also excelled, and probably my top three for the night were Prairie Grass's vanilla ice cream; Hot Chocolate's ice cream sandwiches, and Frontera's fruit and cake--the pickled apricots really winning.

That all said, this was by far the best run of the GCM BBQs, and one, overall, just done right. Sure, a couple of the guardians of trash were a bit harsh with their protecting of lanes, but I really appreciated the attention put to addressing the mass waste of the event. It was highly spread out, so you never felt in a crowd or in a rush to get things. There was a station to clean your hands. Big kudos to whomever dropped that one on the grounds. And as noted, the boxes of water were very welcome. In general, there were tons of staff and volunteers on hand, really helping things run smoothly.

If anyone wants to hear a minor quibble, I'd say that the event was too boozy. I love all the options, and given the prices of local booze, probably drank about $100 worth last night. It was not the many Goose choices or Death Door cocktails that bugged me. It was a few too many liquor pops or sorbets. They were quite lethal and perhaps could have led to excessive rowdiness (if you know what I mean).

Anyways, like I say, to me, this was by far, the most successful GCM BBQ yet, and that says something.