Illinois Restaurant Association, 33 W. Monroe, Ste 250, Chicago. Ph: (312) 787-4000 or see: illinoisrestaurants.org | Chicago Gourmet, Millennium Park, 350 E Monroe Street, Chicago. See: chicagogourmet.org

By LEE A. LITAS | Trend Columnist

Event: After naming Chicago 2017 Restaurant City of the Year, Bon Appétit and festival owner/producer, Illinois Restaurant Association, present Chicago Gourmet. The three-day culinary festival features 12 Tasting Pavilions, Grand Cru tent, cooking presentations and every conceivable combination of epicurean food and beverage tastings.

Sponsors: Illinois Restaurant Association, founding sponsor and event producer; Bon Appétit, title sponsor; Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, presenting sponsor.

Honored Guests: Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended the opening ceremony on Saturday to help kick off the festivities with participating chefs and sponsors.

Benefitting: Proceeds benefit scholarships for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals

Location: Millennium Park, Chicago

Date: September 23

Attended: 14,526

Raised: The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Scholarships & Mentoring Initiative has provided more than $2.8 million dollars in scholarships to qualified students since 1973.