Chicago Gourmet to Feature Emeril, April Bloomfield, Pork & Tiki, Family Brunch

Details have emerged today about this year's Chicago Gourmet festival, set to invade Millennium Park September 25 through 27. First reported by the Chicago Tribune, Bon Appétit is bringing out some more big guests and special events, as it competes with that other big food festival happening in Lincoln Park the month before, including chefs Emeril Lagasse, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and April Bloomfield, as well as events like the one featuring multiple pigs and tiki drinks, which will be a collaboration with Cochon 555. Some highlights:

• "Lunch with Emeril" on Friday, September 25 from Lagasse that will feature multiple courses and serve as a tribute to his friend, the late Charlie Trotter (a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Trotter Culinary Education Foundation).
• "Punch Kings, Pigs n' Tiki" featuring ten pigs cooked by ten chefs and tiki punch bowls from twelve Chicago bartenders will happen the evening of Saturday, September 26.
• "Rise & Shine Gourmet" bringing together the whole family for a run/walk and yoga before everyone sits down to sample brunch dishes.

Besides Lagasse, Vongerichten and Bloomfield, Chicago Gourmet is set to include Paul Kahan, Sara Moulton, Lorena Garcia, Gale Gand and Tony Mantuano on the main stage. Some participating chefs who will be at the previous month's Chicago Food + Wine Festival the month before will also make appearances (Rick Bayless, Jose Garces, Jimmy Bannos Jr., Takashi Yagihashi and Art Smith).

Of course there's also the Hamburger Hop, Late Night Gourmet, Grand Cru and all of those tents handing out food and wine as far as the eye can see.

You can get tickets for most of these events now ("Lunch with Emeril" is still being worked on) at Chicago Gourmet's website.