Taste of Chicago festivities will look very different this week, but the spirit of this annual event that draws thousands, will be even stronger this year. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events along with Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot have worked together to create what they are calling a reimagined "Taste of Chicago To-Go." This new spin on the traditional summer event will feature free online cooking demonstrations, virtual music and dance events and a series of “Community Eats” meals from neighborhood restaurants and food trucks for nonprofits serving frontline and healthcare workers and community organizations.
“Local restaurants make up the backbone of our neighborhoods – and we're finding creative ways to support both them and the communities they serve while prioritizing health and safety,” said Mark Kelly, DCASE Commissioner. “While this year is different for all of us, the spirit of Taste of Chicago lives on with community meals and virtual events showcasing Chicago’s diverse and legendary culinary, music and arts scene.”
Here are a few highlights:
- Taste of Chicago To-Go online cooking demonstrations will stream at noon each day from Wednesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 12, at youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE. Each demonstration will feature popular local chefs sharing how to make one of their favorite home dishes.
Maya Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pie.
- “Millennium Park at Home” music series, including the July 9 program with The Braided Janes and Jon Langford. Music starts at 6 p.m. at youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE.
- “SummerDance in Place,” the new, at-home version of Chicago’s social dancing tradition invites Chicagoans to plan smaller, socially distant dance parties in their homes and backyard, on front porches and elsewhere with up to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors — and connect via the broadcast or social media. On July 8, the theme is Bollywood & Bhangra with a 30-minute dance lesson by Bollywood Groove, followed by music by DJ iLLEST. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. at youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE and simultaneously broadcasts and streams at WTTW Prime (11.2).
For more information, visit TasteofChicago.us and join the conversation on social media using #TasteofChicago.