Yep – that’s me – just hangin’ with Lorena Garcia and Art Smith!
This year marks the 4th year of me volunteering for the amazing event Chicago Gourmet – held at Millennium Park in Chicago.
The entrance to the event is right by the famous BEAN!
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Low 70′s and sunny. Both days were gorgeous! Every year I volunteer here it gets better and better. Last year I got to assist in the celebrity cookbook signing! Last year I met Rick Bayless, John Besh, Tony Mantuano (of Spiaggia in Chicago), Stephanie Izard, The Hearty Boys (Next Food Network Star). A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
This year I also met Hubert Keller – famous French Chef. So nice too!
How cool is that?!?!?!!?
This year I was asked to be a LEAD volunteer (sweet!) which basically meant I was in charge of a group of volunteers, show them the ropes, what to do, when to take breaks, make sure they are following the rules, etc….
I was asked to get there early 9:00 a.m. (it opens to the public at noon). I checked in and was then told my volunteers wouldn’t be there until @ 11:00!. What to do with 2 hours? Walk the park and ask who needs help!
First thing I did? Set up all these wine glasses! Every guest gets a wine glass they can keep.
Then I walked to the area I would be at most of the day, the SOUTH PROMENADE. This year it was host to the cookbook authors as well as a small cooking stage, and something called THE GLOBAL MARKET. Lots of food to try! And of course the most popular area – the Stella Artois Booth! There was a line for that ALL day!
Here is the tent that was in before things were totally set up:
And since I was one of the few people in that area, I checked out the cooking stage!!
They had a bunch of cooking demos – a smack down with different types of foods and then they were judged. Here is the line up of local Chicago chefs:
My favorite cooking smack down was with Ethnic Eats 101: Korean with Dae Jang Kum and Woori Village – located in Niles and Mt. Prospect, IL.
These ladies made THE BEST POTSTICKERS I’VE EVER HAD!
I have no idea what was in these potstickers, but they were amazing!! They were from Woori Village restaurant.
My other favorite thing is the Bon Appetit Lounge – it’s always beautifully decorated. Guests can sit in comfy couches, taste food there, listen to a dj play music all day – totally deluxe!
So my biggest goal for the day was having the volunteers (and me!) keep the place clean. After the cooking demos, people leave trash, glasses, food, etc… or drop stuff on the ground and walk away. So a lot of the time is spent housekeeping, and keeping it nice for everyone!
I had the best group of people, everyone worked hard, took it seriously, listened to directions, and we all had a great time!
As long as they will have me, I’ll be back every year to help!!
By the time I got home and relaxed – I was exhausted! Then it occurred to me, I left my house at 8:00 a.m. and didn’t get home until 6:0 p.m. and I never sat down once! I was on the move. But I LOVE being in that kind of environment, meeting other foodies, meeting celebrity chefs, networking, etc… It’s so much fun! I can’t wait until next year!
****
Do you volunteer and if so, what have you done that you loved??
