Text logo with horizontal black and white stripes. The words 'CHEF DEMOS' are written in large, bold, dark gray letters with shadows, on alternating black and white background stripes.

Demos returned to Chicago Gourmet!

On Saturday, September 26, the Pritzker Pavilion stage hosted a full lineup of culinary demonstrations. Guests enhanced their Grand Cru experience with an up-close look at some of the industry's top chefs in action.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Split image featuring Stephanie Izard smiling against a white brick wall on the left, and Chef Lee Ann Wong wearing a white top smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background on the right.

STEPHANIE IZARD
& LEE ANNE WONG

Time: 1:00 - 1:30pm

Date: Saturday, September 26

Emcees: Bill & Giuliana Rancic, Restaurateurs / RPM

G.O.A.T.s Set The Tempo: Two culinary powerhouses took to the stage for a high-energy kickoff, bringing bold flavors, sharp technique, and serious star power. Their dynamic demo set the tone from the very first beat.

A split image featuring Chef Diana Dávila and Chef Rick Bayless against a dark backdrop.

RICK BAYLESS
& DIANA DÁVILA

Time: 2:30 - 3:00pm

Date: Saturday, September 26

Emcee: Cortney Hall, NBC Chicago’s “Chicago Today”

Sabor Takes The Floor: Rick and Diana brought the heat as they each shared a dish inspired by their time in culinary competitions. Drawing on the pressure and creativity of the competition kitchen, they showed how those experiences continued to shape their cooking and fuel their culinary creativity.

A split image featuring Chef Tony Mantuano in his whites on the left, Chef Takashi Yagihashi in the middle, also wearing his whites and Chef John Hogan on the right

TONY MANTUANO, TAKASHI YAGIHASHI & JOHN HOGAN

Time: 3:30 - 4:00pm

Date: Saturday, September 26

Emcee: Ji Suk Yi, WGN-TV / Spotlight Chicago

The OGs Drop The Beat: The Chicago Gourmet OGs got the band back together for a high-energy, flavor packed reunion. This demo was bursting with personality, nostalgia, and plenty familiar magic.

Split image showing Chef Art Smith in a teal jacket on the left, and Chef Fleetwood Covington wearing a white chef's coat on the right.

ART SMITH & FLEETWOOD COVINGTON

Time: 5:00 - 5:30pm

Date: Saturday, September 26

Emcee: Ji Suk Yi, WGN-TV / Spotlight Chicago

Soul Food Shuffle: A Southern homecoming came to life in the demo kitchen, where Gulf Coast and Lowcountry flavors took center stage in a celebration of craft, culture, and conversation

SARAH GRUENEBERG
& CHRIS SHEPHERD

Time: 6:00 - 6:30pm

Date: Saturday, September 26

Emcee: Alpana Singh, Alpana

Texas Two-Step: What happens when two chefs with Houston ties get together? You get a demo with a heart the size of Texas. Sarah and Chris served up plenty of Southern hospitality, bold flavors, and Lone Star spirit as they showed the crowd what they could cook up.

A large indoor event with a crowd watching a cooking demonstration on a stage. The chef is speaking into a microphone, preparing food at a countertop with steam rising. Audience members are seated and some are raising their hands, with a woman in the front raising her hand. The stage is equipped with professional lighting, and there are large ovens and plants decor in the background.

Demo tickets can be purchased as an add-on experience with any Grand Cru ticket.

TITLE SPONSOR &
OFFICIAL ETF PARTNER

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FOUNDING PARTNER

Logo of the Illinois Restaurant Association featuring a blue map of Illinois, a brown fork on the left, a brown knife and spoon on the right, and the text 'Illinois Restaurant Association' in brown.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PREMIER SPONSOR

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