May 30, 2024 - Culture

Beard weekend serves up parties, panels and more

Monica Eng

man holding tray of food — Paul Virant presents a tray of appetizers at his Gaijin Matsuri festival during James Beard weekend last year. The festival returns this year along with many other ancillary events. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The James Beard chef awards aren't until June 10, but reservations for ancillary parties, panels, tours, tastings and brunches are filling up fast.

The rundown: We've compiled a list of some of the most interesting and how to make reservations.

Thursday, June 6

Special menu paired with cocktails at Mordecai (Wrigleyville) June 6-10. Think stuffed clams with a martini and more. Partial proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation. Reservations here.

Friday, June 7

Wine tasting and feast with Terraneo Merchants at Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar (Ukrainian Village) 4-8pm. Happy hour with Georgian-style apps or a sit-down Georgian feast with wine. Reservations here.

Tasting menu at Le Sud (Roscoe Village) June 7-9. Reservations here.

Strong Water Anaheim pop-up at Château Carbide at Pendry Chicago (The Loop) 5-10pm featuring cocktails from the Beard nominated bar program. Reservations here.

Book signing and cocktails at The Violet Hour (Wicker Park) 7:30pm-midnight. Meet and sip cocktails inspired by Danny Childs, author of Beard nominated "Slow Drinks." Reservations here.ere.

Saturday, June 8

Cocktail for a Cause at José Andrés Bar Mar (downtown). The bar will donate a portion of proceeds from each Salt Air Margarita sold from June 8-11 to the James Beard Foundation's Women's Leadership Programs.

Summer kickoff party at Baobing at Duck Duck Goat 1-3pm (Fulton Market) Enjoy cocktails and ice cream sundaes at chef Stephanie Izard's Taiwanese-inspired walk-up window.

Texas barbecue Convenience West pops up at Middle Brow (Logan Square) 3-6pm for a pizza collaboration on its patio. Reservations here.

Caviar tasting and dinner at Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar (Ukrainian Village) 4-8pm. Sample Polanco Caviar's Reserve level caviars during a tasting led by Antonio Salto 4-6pm or reserve a spot for a tasting menu dinner at 6pm. Reservations here.

Barr Hill cocktail pop up at Château Carbide 5-10pm: Beard-nominated distiller Ryan Christiansen and team will be shaking up fan-favorite cocktails. Reservations here.

Tasting menu at The Coach House (West Town) 6:30pm: Beard-nominated chef Zubair Mohajir presents an 8-course menu exploring the primary spices used in South Indian cuisine. Tickets are $140.

Panel discussions at Kendall College at National Louis University (The Loop)

2-4 pm Justice for Migrant Women and Oakland Bloom discuss food and migration, and how they are advancing a more just, connected and healthier industry and communities. RSVP at [email protected].

Sunday, June 9

Brunch at Mi Tocaya Antojería (Logan Square) noon to 2:30pm featuring a 3-course brunch of regional Mexican favorites of chef Diana Dávila. Tickets here.

Clavel Cocktail Collab and Pig Roast at Bar Sótano (River North) 3pm: Enjoy Clavel cocktails, local roasted pig, oysters, quesabirria and croquettes. All proceeds benefit the Frontera Farmer Foundation. RSVP here.

Coffee chat at Daisies (Logan Square) 9:30-11am with chefs Joe Frillman , Rick Bayless, Geoff Davis of Burdell in Oakland and Rob Connoley of Bulrush in St. Louis on sustainability in the restaurant industry. RSVP at [email protected].

Brew and Bites at Big Shoulders Roasting Works (Douglas Park 2415 W. 19th St.) 10am to noon with coffee, pastries, tours and coffee demonstrations. Reservations here.

Brunch at Nobu's Rooftop (Fulton Market) 11:30am-2:30pm Nobu Chicago Rooftop 11th floor, featuring reception-style Nobu brunch bites and crafted cocktails. $95 reservations here.

Up South at Justice of the Pies (Avalon Park) 1-6pm with live music and terrace seating, featuring the food of Beard nominees Maya-Camille Broussard, Serigne Mbaye, Adrienne Cheatham and Fariyal Abdullahi. No reservations needed.

Queers at Beards at Nobody's Darling (Andersonville) 3pm-6pm. Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders will be honored in an event featuring a drag show, DJ and open bar. Reservations here.

Japanese Matsuri festival at Gaijin (Fulton Market) 4-6pm and 7-9:30pm featuring passed appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, Osaka-style okonomiyaki, mochi doughnuts, kakigōri, DJ, taiko drumming and special cocktails. Reservations here.

Street Market at Lilac Tiger and The Coach House (West Town). Find 10 food stations exploring South Asian street food and cocktails. Reservations here.

Barr Hill at The Violet Hour (Wicker Park) 6-9pm. Enjoy cocktails from Barr Hill Cocktail Bar (Montpelier, Vermont) using raw honey-based spirits alongside TVH classics and a collaborative cocktail crafted by both teams. Reservations here.

Vine-yl Night Middle Brow (Ukrainian Village) 8-11pm High Street Hospitality Group joins forces with Middle Brow for a night of music, wine, and pizza. Reservations here.