Get Mom the Chicago Chefs Cookbook

Head to Mariano's Lakeview on Saturday for a public release party

So Much Talent, So Much Generosity

Some of you may recall the article in Local Food Forum’s March 9 issue about a chef photo shoot for an upcoming Chicago Chefs Cookbook — a collaboration between the Chicago Chefs Cook humanitarian fundraising non-profit and the Mariano’s supermarkets. Proceeds from the book will benefit Chi-Care, a local 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing meals, water and basic human needs for people experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland.

Well, drumroll please, the book is ready… just in time for Mother’s Day. A perfect gift for the foodie mom(s) in your life, you can pick it up at a special pre-sale event this Saturday (May 11), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mariano’s store at 3030 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Lakeview community (that’s my neighborhood Mariano’s!).

It will then be available at all Mariano’s stores beginning Monday (May 13).

Chefs who contributed their recipes and time for the cookbook — see the amazing list below — will be on hand for the event, and there will be food and beverage samples.

It is truly an honor for Local Food Forum to have a close relationship with the world changers at Chicago Chefs Cook, and I have attended and published about most of their events since the culinary community coalesced around its March 2022 fundraiser for World Central Kitchen following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe, a co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook, is also co-host of Local Food Forum’s “Better” Dialogues webinar series.

Sebastian White of The Evolved Network — profiled in yesterday’s issue — is a guest panelist on our next webinar, focused on food education and school food, which will take place Monday (May 13) at 7 p.m. central (click the button below to learn more and register). And Greg Wade, head baker and managing partner at Publican Quality Bread, was a guest on our April 15 premiere episode about regenerative agriculture.

REGISTER!

Now, without further adieu, here’s the press release about Saturday’s cookbook event, with includes that astounding lineup of participating chefs.

Chicago Chefs CookBook:

A Culinary Publication between Mariano’s and Chicago Chefs Cook**

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other as the award-winning humanitarian organization Chicago Chefs Cook proudly presents the “Chicago Chefs CookBook.”

This magazine-style cookbook features the remarkable talents of 46 chefs from all over Chicagoland, showcasing their creativity and passion for cooking while supporting a worthy cause. Proceeds from the cookbook will benefit Chi-Care, a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ending hunger across Chicagoland.  

Culinary visionaries such as Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe, Paul Virant of Vistro Prime, Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde, Carrie Nahabedian of Brindille, and Joe Flamm of Rose Mary, among many others, united to create a unique collection of diverse and mouth-watering dishes.

From savory classics to innovative creations, the Chicago Chefs CookBook celebrates the vibrant culinary landscape of Chicago. Each chef contributed one signature recipe to the cookbook, providing readers with a taste of their culinary expertise so home cooks can take a culinary adventure across the city — from Rubi’s on 18th in Pilsen, to Nakorn in Evanston, to Demera in Uptown, to Italian Village in the Loop, and many more!

The Chicago Chefs CookBook will be available for purchase at all 44 Mariano's locations for $9.99, with a special launch price of $6.99 from now through August. Proceeds from cookbook sales will go directly to Chi-Care, helping to fund their mission of providing essential services to those in need.

Chicago Chefs Cook is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to unite and empower Chicagoland chefs to raise funds for humanitarian causes that are on the hearts and minds of the city’s culinary and hospitality communities.

“Our goal through Chicago Chefs Cook is to bring people together to fundraise and uplift under a backdrop of delicious food and unity,” said co-founder Chef Sarah Stegner. “By creating this cookbook with the generous support of Mariano’s, we will be able to directly address hunger in the greater Chicagoland area.”

Adds, co-founder Darren Gest, “We are so thankful to the talented chefs who have contributed their time and recipes to bring this project to life and are thrilled to give back to our own amazing city.”

Adds Amanda Puck of Mariano's, “We are thrilled to support these talented chefs and give our guests the opportunity to experience their delicious dishes while also giving back to our community through Chi-Care.”

Chi-Care, founded in March 2020, has been instrumental in providing warm meals and survival items to unhoused populations in the Chicagoland area. By supporting the Chicago Chefs CookBook, readers can join the effort to end hunger and make a positive impact in their community.

To celebrate the launch of the cookbook, Mariano's will host a special event on Saturday, May 11th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Mariano's Lakeview East, 3030 N Broadway. Chefs featured in the cookbook will be on site to autograph copies, along with representatives from Chicago Chefs Cook and Chi-Care. Guests can also enjoy sampling from Mionetto, Hampton Water, and Jägermeister, as well as light bites provided by Mariano's.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting culinary event and support a worthy cause. Join us at Mariano's on May 11th, and pick up your copy of the Chicago Chefs CookBook!

For more information about Chi-Care, please visit https://www.chi-care.org/about.

For more information about Chicago Chefs Cook, please visit @chicagochefscook on Instagram.

Full list of participating chefs and restaurants:

• Abe Vucekovich, Meadowlark Hospitality

• Amanda Puck, Mariano’s

• Anthony Rodriguez, Italian Village

• Arshiya Farheen, Verzenay Chicago

• Brian Jupiter, Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern

• Brian Motyka, Longman & Eagle

• Carrie Nahabedian, Brindille

• Casey Doody GT Prime, Boka Group Catering

• Cesar Murillo and John Brandon, North Pond Restaurant

• Darnell Reed, Luella's Southern Kitchen

• Devon Quinn, eden

• Dominique Leach, Lexington Betty Smokehouse

• Donald Young, Duck Sel

• Gary Zickel, Mariano’s

• Greg Wade, Publican Quality Breads

• Heather Bublick and D’Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke

• Javauneeka Jacobs, Frontera Grill

• Joe Flamm, Rose Mary

• John Boudouvas, Nonnina

• Jose Sosa, UMMO

• Ken Polk, Batter and Berries

• Kevin Hickey, The Duck Inn

• Lamar Moore, Bronzeville Winery

• Margaret Pak, Thattu

• Mari Katsumura, Cherry Circle Room

• Maria Landa, Rubis on 18th

• Martial Noguier, Bistronomic

• Mary Nguyen Aregoni, Saigon Sisters

• Michael Ciapciak, Bang Bang Pie Shop

• Nikos Kapernaros, Chef Kapernaros Culinary

• Paul Fehribach, Big Jones

• Paul Virant, Vistro Prime, Gaijin and Petite Vie

• Rodney Staton, Meadowlark Hospitality

• Rodolfo Cuadros, Amaru

• Sahil Sethi, Sifr and Indienne

• Sam Rattanopas, Nakorn

• Sandra Holl, Floriole

• Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde

• Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Cafe

• Sebastian White, The Evolved Network

• Steve Mendez, Bar Sotto

• Thai Dang, Hais Sous

• Tigist Reda, Demera

• Tony Priolo, Piccolo Sogno

• William Varley, Torchio Pasta Bar

• Zachary Engel, Galit

JOIN US!