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Event Tue Jan 20 2015
Soup, Poutine, Bacon & Beer Vie for Your Stomach
So many food festivals these days -- and let's not even mention the endless schedule of beer fests that now litter the calendar. But you know what? They all taste good, so let's keep on having them.
The Chicago Soup Takedown, an offshoot of the popular Bacon Takedown that also spawned a mac'n'cheese takedown last year, is happening this Sunday, Jan. 25 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. For $20, attendees sample soups from a combination of amateur and professional chefs, and vote on their favorites. Apparently there are still a couple spots open for additional chefs, so if you have a killer soup recipe and a competitive streak, sign up for battle by emailing chilitakedown@gmail.com.
Poutine Fest is back for a third year Feb. 15, and tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 23 at noon. There will be two sessions this year, 11:30am-1:30pm and 2-4pm, and tickets are $60, which will include drink tickets and 10 poutine tickets. VIP tickets will be available for the early session for $70, and get you early entry and an extra drink ticket. The fest will be held at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St.
The Chicago Beer Festival once again invades Union Station March 21, with two sessions featuring dozens of craft and imported beers. There will be two three-hour sessions, at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets are $40.
Speaking of bacon, Bacon Fest Chicago returns April 17 and 18 to the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., and general admission tickets go on sale Feb. 16 at noon. There will once again be three sessions to choose from, with tickets to each being $100. $200 VIP tickets get you in an hour early to sample bacon dishes from 168 confirmed restaurants so far, including 40 first-time competitors. That's a helluva lot of bacon.
Lastly, a little early warning. The sixth annual Chicago Craft Beer Week will be May 14-24 at locations throughout the city.
