Chicago Gourmet 2012

Have I mentioned recently how proud I am of my sister? Oh, I have? Ok, well this is going to be another one of those posts.

For the last few years, Chicago has hosted a phenomenal event for restaurants and foodies alike called Chicago Gourmet. It’s in Millennium Park, and I had the experience of going to the event last year. Last year though, it was pouring rain, and I was accompanied by someone who didn’t quite get why I had to take photos of everything.

So this year, I was gifted a ticket from my sister who had her very own booth!

My mom, Eo, and I headed downtown at about noon on Sunday, and to say it was a perfect day is an understatement!

The first booth we came across was the Absolut cocktail booth, where we were handed an “Orange Booty” cocktail.

How gorgeous is my mom?

Next, we waited in line for the Gibson’s Steak House booth, where we were handed a beef tenderloin mini sandwich, a pulled pork sandwich, and a shrimp cocktail sandwich.

Then, we followed a few people to find out where they had obtained the cutest thing we’d seen all day… tiny jars full of Belvedere Vodka cocktails!

Next, while we quenched our thirst with the lovely mini jar cocktails, I grabbed a marinated portabello mushroom sandwich from the Highland Baking Company. It was quite good!

Then we waited in line to get a sampling from a variety of delicious places

White chocolate mousse and salted caramel in a sesame cone

Caramel apple puffs by Chef Meg Galus of NoMi (she and Leigh worked together at Tru!)

Next thing we knew, it was nearly 3 p.m. and Leigh was scheduled to begin her serving at 3, so we high-tailed it over to Tasting Pavillion #6 where Leigh and her 1200 tiny desserts were setting up.

A small family photo shoot ensued, including me feeding Leigh her own dessert… we’re a strange group.

And the dessert? Un-freaking-believable. It was a pear bavarois with concord grape geleé, butter cake, sliced pear, and chartreuse pearls.

And she made 1200 of them. I want more.

Or 5.

Millions of kudos to Chef Leigh Omilinsky!

After a little while, I saw someone eating something in an adorable jar, so I went searching for it. And I found it! A tiny mojito cheesecake in a bubble. You’ll be seeing this container again for sure.

A lovely day in my favorite city, made even better by amazing food and fun with family…

Sweet home Chicago…

This recipe blog post has been Digiproved © 2012

Tagged as: cake, Chicago, chicago gourmet, dessert, Drinks, family, fun, pear