RESTAURANTS l The James Beard Foundation has released the list of 2026 semifinalists for its annual award. Chicago (Local Food Forum's home base) is well-represented

RESTAURANTS AND LOCAL SOURCING l The chefs at CIMA, located near O'Hare, emphasize local sourcing — and are holding a dinner featuring 2 leading farm to table chefs

RESTAURANT BUSINESS l Restaurants face an array of existential challenges. The Chicago Chefs Cook non-profit aims to help by persuading diners to eat out often...

CHEFS l Rob Levitt is the new executive chef at The Publican, a restaurant that helped spark the transition of Chicago's meatpacking district into a culinary mecca..

RESTAURANTS l EEEEEATSON, a food expo put on by The Infatuation restaurant site, is returning to Chicago Aug. 23-24. Worth going, but you have to have a Chase card

CHEFS l After 10 successful years on dinner service, Chicago Chef- Philanthropist Darnell Reed is opening a new location for his Luella's Southern Kitchen...

CHEFS l It's great when a friend who has elevated Chicago's food culture get rewarded. So I'm thrilled about Rob Levitt's promotion to The Publican's Executive Chef

RESTAURANTS l A rising interest in catered meals spurred Chicago's famed One Off Hospitality restaurant group to start a catering unit with a stand-alone commissary

CHEFS l James Beard Award-winning Chicago area chef Sarah Stegner has always generously praised the vendors who provide her ingredients. She is now highlighting them in her Spotlight Series.

CHEF PHILANTHROPY l The Oyster Shuck Off held by Chicago's The Publican featured 5 women chefs guest-shucking & raised $4,000 for a charity