Chicago is set to become a bustling center for restaurant and bar professionals from across the nation as it prepares to host the annual James Beard Awards.
This prestigious event, acknowledged as the glitziest awards gala in the American hospitality industry, will take place on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera House.
In anticipation of the ceremony, the city is rolling out a series of diverse events, including a mariscos patio party, a panel on the evolving nature of food criticism, and a cocktail gathering that will feature some of the world’s best bars.
For food lovers, let’s take a look at the exciting public events scheduled leading up to the awards ceremony.
**Friday, June 13**
The Loop is buzzing with anticipation as Hawksmoor, an acclaimed venue twice deemed Best International Restaurant Bar by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, hosts Shingo Gokan’s Sip & Guzzle.
Gokan’s establishment, ranked No. 5 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list and recognized as a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, offers a unique Japanese-American bar experience.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hawksmoor located at 500 N. LaSalle Drive, guests can experience cocktails crafted in both the energetic Guzzle room and the sophisticated Sip space.
**Saturday, June 14**
In the vibrant West Loop, Maxwells Trading and Third Season present a culinary pop-up bookstore.
From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Third Season, guests can explore collectible and out-of-print culinary works alongside vintage movie posters and music records.
Also in Avalon Park, the renowned chef Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies teams up with 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist chef Camari Mick from Raf’s and Musket Room to host an Up South pop-up, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Offering dishes that celebrate their Southern and Caribbean roots, the event is free, but RSVPs are required by June 13.
Just a short distance away on the Magnificent Mile, Justice for Migrant Women will hold a free event celebrating migrant contributions during Immigrant Heritage Month.
This gathering, featuring a panel on mental health and workplace challenges specific to the hospitality industry, runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Loyola University’s Regent Room.
In another engaging event in The Loop, Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, a PhD professor and co-founder of DMV Black Restaurant Week in Washington, D.C., will moderate a discussion entitled “Beyond the Bar.”
This panel, featuring esteemed beverage industry experts, will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and delve into important industry trends and challenges.
At Chateau Carbide, perched atop the Pendry Chicago hotel, the Bar Colette team, a 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best New Bar from Texas, will host a cocktail evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring unforgettable views and masterful drinks.
**Sunday, June 15**
As the weekend progresses, Lincoln Park will see a unique podcast recording at John’s Food & Wine.
Owners Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers will engage in conversation about their counter-service model from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event will also feature martinis and Chicago’s top French fries, and there is no fee to attend, though RSVPs are necessary by June 8.
Nobu Chicago will elevate its weekend brunch with a rooftop experience offering crafted cocktails and brunch bites from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Peoria Street location.
Logan Square welcomes Dan Richer, a James Beard Award nominee known for his pizza at Razza, who will collaborate with local favorite Middle Brow for an afternoon pizza event from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Note that RSVPs must be completed by June 15, though no guarantees of table availability can be made.
In Lincoln Park, a special JBF Greens brunch will take place from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with chef Zachary Engel of Galit showcasing Middle Eastern dishes paired with wines from local vineyards.
Tickets for this exquisite experience are priced at $95 plus tax, available until June 11.
Industry professionals looking to engage in discussions about food criticism can attend “Everyone’s a Critic,” exploring the impact of social media on the food scene, held at Kendall College Atrium from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Afterward, join a discussion on American food culture at 2:30 p.m., featuring prominent chefs and moderated by New York University Professor Krishnendu Ray.
Both events are free but require registration by June 8.
Later that afternoon, River North’s Boka Restaurant Group co-founder Kevin Boehm will lead a conversation about the beverage service industry, featuring distinguished panelists.
This free event is set for 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Biân, 600 W. Chicago Avenue.
Also in River North, celebrated chef Rick Bayless will host a mariscos patio party at Bar Sótano, focusing on seafood dishes and benefiting the No Kid Hungry organization.
Tickets for this culinary celebration cost $85 plus tax and must be purchased by June 15.
Following that, the inaugural Chicago Cocktail Classic, featuring a curated tasting experience across more than two dozen renowned bars, will take place at Three Dots and a Dash from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $89 plus tax, available until June 8.
Those looking for a unique cocktail experience can check out Dearly Beloved’s Whiskey & Cigar Fest from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets are available for $40, offering guests two whiskey cocktails and a complimentary cigar.
Meanwhile, Nettare will host a four-course dinner with selections from J. Henry & Son’s, featuring small-batch bourbons and ryes, available for $90 plus tax.
In Logan Square, Gusto Bakery will celebrate its James Beard nomination with a pizza party featuring a special mole pie, from 5 p.m. at Bungalow by Middle Brow. RSVPs need to be in by June 15.
In Bucktown, popular cocktail bars Bisous and Truce are hosting a martini night to celebrate their respective James Beard semifinalist nominations, running from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Gold Coast will see Pandan, located on the Viceroy Chicago rooftop, transform for a summer soiree featuring Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails and bites from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tickets priced at $50.
Wicker Park welcomes a collaboration between One Off Hospitality and Scotch Lodge, allowing patrons to try signature drinks from renowned cocktail bars.
Entry is free, and drinks can be purchased as guests enjoy the vibrant atmosphere from 9 p.m. to midnight.
West Town’s Sportsman’s Club will host a late-night bar pop-up featuring New Orleans’s NightBloom from 9 p.m. to midnight, welcoming all without the need for RSVP.
**Monday, June 16**
The big day, June 16, falls on a Monday featuring a variety of informative workshops and talks.
In The Loop, Chef and author Adrienne Cheatham will lead a panel discussion on exploring diverse culinary careers with a prominent panel of industry leaders from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at Kendall College Atrium.
This free event requires registration by June 8.
Following this, a panel focused on advocacy in the restaurant industry will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., discussing successful stories and the challenges faced by industry professionals.
Lastly, a special screening of the James Beard Award-winning film Coldwater Kitchen will be available to attendees, along with a discussion on the role of food media in social impact storytelling.
This event runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Gene Siskel Film Center and requires an RSVP by June 15.
As Chicago gears up for this impressive lineup of events, the excitement surrounding the James Beard Awards continues to grow, promising a weekend filled with culinary celebration, innovation, and community engagement.
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