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Got a question about the Taste of Chicago this year?
Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the Taste of Chicago 2010.
Q: Where is the Taste of Chicago?
A: The Taste of Chicago is in Grant Park (On Michigan Avenue across Jackson Drive from the Art Institute ). Trolleys run on weekdays from 11am to 2pm. Buses and the El also provide transportation to the event.
Q: When is the Taste of Chicago?
A: June25th-July4th. Hours: June25th-July2nd 11am-9pm, July3rd 11am-7pm, July4th 11am-6pm.
Q: How do the tickets work?
A: Tickets work as currency at the Taste of Chicago. You can purchase strips of 12 tickets for $8 at the entrance and around the event at labeled booths. You can also purchase tickets ahead of time (until June 24th) at Dominick’s stores.
Q:What is a “Taste Of” portion?
A: “Taste Of” portions are smaller portions of the vendor’s classic items. They are usually 2-4 tickets, so they are cheaper than the full-sized items. Getting several “Taste Of” portions around the event is a great way to sample and experience a variety of foods at the Taste.
Q: How do I find a vendor that I know I want to visit?
A: The brochures (which are available at the entrance, at the ticket booths, and at information booths around the event) contain a map of the location of every vendor, bathroom, ticket booth, beverage booth, and special event area. The brochures also contain a list of every vendor and what they offer, and highlight daily performances and special events.
Q: Who is performing this year at the Taste?
A: Live performances occur daily and include: Friday June 25th 5:30pm – Rap Down Rewind feat. Bell Biv Devoe and Salt-N-Pepa, Saturday June 26th 5:30pm – Gavin Rossdale and Band From TV, Sunday June 27th 2:30pm – Emily Osment and Allstar Weekend, Monday June 28th 6:00pm – Broadway in Chicago, Tuesday June 29th 5:30pm – Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, Wednesday June 30th 5:30pm – Matt Kearney and Brett Dennen, Thursday July 1st 5:30pm – Trey Songz and Teairra Mari, Friday July 2nd 5:30pm – Rob Thomas, Saturday July 3rd 3:00pm – Steve Miller Band, and Sunday July 4th 12:00pm – Passion Pit and Robert Randolf and Carney.
Q: What is new at the Taste this year?
A: There are 11 new restaurants added to the Taste this year, including: Abundance Bakery, Bobak Sausage Co., Carbon, Churro Factory, Cubby Bear, Doreen’s Pizzeria, Iyanze, Pegasus Restaurant and Taverna, Shokoland Pastry & Cafe, Summer Rice and Noodle, and Timothy O’Toole’s Pub.
Q: What is happening at the Dominick’s Cooking Corner?
A: Star chefs such as Mario Batali, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jimmy Bannos, and Giada De Laurentiis will present at the Dominic’s Cooking Corner near Buckingham Fountain. See Batali on une 25th at 1pm, Quinn on June 26th at noon, Bannos on June 25th and 28th, and Laurentiis on July 1st at 3pm.
Q: What else goes on at the Taste?
A: As usual, from 11am to 2pm every day you can work out at the Taste Sports area. Seniors can relax under the shaded Humana Senior Pavillion near Buckingham Fountain. The Family Village and Fun Times Stage has an exciting line up for family fun, as well as the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. Also, on Sunday June 27th, don’t miss the 18th annual Humana Race to Taste event. Also, don’t miss the sponsor’s booths around the event for fun information and promotional materials.
More questions? Leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
It was a rainy, soggy day but that didn’t keep hungry Chicagoans from enjoying the Taste of Chicago Preview event at Daley Plaza on Tuesday. Nine food vendors and four sponsors stood under white tents from 11am to 2pm promoting the upcoming festival. A DJ kept the crowd motivated and lured passers by to join in on the festivities. People wandered around under umbrellas and sat at rain soaked tables, talking and eating as though the weather was sunny and bright. It was a great day to sample some of the exciting treats being offered at the Taste of Chicago’s 30th anniversary this year.
One of the vendors, Bacino’s Pizza has been a part of the Taste of Chicago for over 20 years, but has only participated in the preview event for the past few years. Bill White, who was managing the booth, said the restaurant will be “going with what’s worked in the past” at the Taste this year. Bill also noted that the restaurant’s Wacker location will be promoting their new Green Delivery Service- using environmentally friendly Segways instead of cars to deliver pizzas. Bacino’s will be offering their stuffed spinach, stuffed sausage, and cheese pizza slices at the event.
Chicago classic Garrett’s Popcorn are fairly new to the Taste of Chicago and the Taste Preview, marking the second year they have participated. Their wildly popular Caramel Popcorncicles, which are popcorn balls on sticks flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, will make another appearance this year. The wacky treat is both delicious and fun to eat. Garrett’s will also be offering their cheese and caramel mix, popcorn balls, and mixed nuts. “We’re excited for our second year at the taste. We hope people will come out and have a good time and enjoy our food.”
Best Buy, one of the sponsors of the Taste, will be giving out coupons for free gift cards (with set purchase amounts) to use at participating Best Buy stores. Shoreline Sightseeing, another sponsor, had a raffle at the preview to win free boat tour rides. The tours occur several times per day and focus on Chicago history and architecture. The winner will be drawn on Friday. The Chicago Tribune was also at the preview promoting their involvement in the event.
Many business people stopped by on their lunch breaks, attracted by the lack of tax on food items. One hungry business man said he preferred the Taste Preview to the actual event because he doesn’t like the ticket system. “I like the direct money exchange here” he said, “I wish the larger event would switch to just using cash as well.” Many of the vendors felt the same way about the ticket system. One man from the Garrett’s Popcorn booth commented on how difficult it is to keep track of tickets and how some tickets can be counterfeit, which is a definite downside apposed to using cash. But it doesn’t look like the ticket system will be replaced anytime soon. Strips of 12 tickets will be sold for $8 at the entrance to the event and throughout the park. You can also purchase tickets in advance at Dominick’s stores from June 17-24.
The 30th anniversary of the Taste of Chicago starts June 25th and goes through July 4th in Grant Park. A total of 53 restaurants will host booths at the event. The ever popular “Taste Of” portions, which are smaller servings of each restaurant’s classic dishes, are available for between 2-4 tickets. Special musical performances take place at the Petrillo Music Shell inside the park every day. This year performances include Rob Thomas, Salt-N-Pepper, Mat Kearney, Passion Pit, and many more. The Taste will close early on July 4th at 6pm- but don’t go too far- there will be fireworks displays along the lakefront at 9pm.
According to the Sun-Times, a large sculpture of an eyeball constructed by artist Tony Tasset will stand in Pritzker Park on the corner of State and Van Buren. The sculpture will be unveiled on July 7th and will stay in its location through October. The Eye is expected to become a tourist attraction much like the Bean, and will draw people to the South Loop area. The artist, Tony Tasset, specializes in contemporary art and is based in Chicago. The 30-foot sculpture is made of “steel reinforced fiberglass” and features a blue iris, which happens to be the color of the artist’s own iris.