Just attended a foodie's dream-come-true benefit.

[grace0418]

It's a great cause (Share Our Strength) and a great event. Everything is donated so the entire cost of your ticket goes to the cause. For the price of a nice dinner at one great restaurant, you are served tasting portions from almost 50 restaurants. And all the local Chicago superstars were there. Rick Bayless and Graham Elliot personally served me their creations. Plus great wine, great beer and top shelf liquor.

It was hotter than Hades in there but everyone was sweaty so it didn't really matter. Every 20 feet or so there were huge barrels filled with ice cold San Pelligrino, Aranciata, Limonata and other yummy non-alcoholic drinks, so it was easy to keep hydrated.

I don't know what my favorite was. Rick Bayless' dish was fantastic, but so were many others.

And the desserts...OH MY GOD.

I am so full, but very happy I went.

Here is the list of restaurants. I highly recommend this benefit if it comes to your city.

http://strength.org/chicago/participating_restaurants/

[grace0418]

1. Woke up still full this morning.

:)

[Eyerish]

2. I've always wanted to meet Rick Bayless....

I love all of his food.
Did you get the chance to talk to him??

I'm glad you had a good time! :hi:

[grace0418]

3. He and his wife were waiting for their car at the same time we were so my friends

chatted with him a bit. I never know what to say in those situations. Not really starstruck, just feel stupid telling him for what has to be the umpteenth time he's heard "I think you're a great chef!" or whatever I might say. My friend was charming of course, she's good at small talk. He was very nice.

He's fantastic, isn't he? He's really involved in the community (along with his wife) too, which is why he was being honored. His dish was a small taco (naturally) with I don't even know what kind of spicy heaven inside. All I know is that it was so delicious.

I cannot believe how excellent all the food was. Considering the chefs donated all their time and food, they certainly didn't cut corners. You could have as much as you wanted and the quality was out of this world. It wasn't a good place for vegans, I suppose, but everyone else would definitely find something to enjoy.

I just found a little bag of toffee in my purse that one of the restaurants was handing out. I took a bite and almost swooned, it was so delicious.

Thanks, it was a blast. I'm so glad my friend recommended it. They hold these benefits all over the country and I cannot recommend them enough. There's one in Napa, that would be a blast.

:hi: