Illinois Restaurant Association To Bid On Running Taste Of Chicago
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 7, 2012 3:45PM
After months of speculation, the Illinois Restaurant Association has thrown its hat in the running to manage this year's shortened taste of Chicago.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events cut the number of days for this year's version to five days, moved the festival to mid-July and reduced the number of vendors in an attempt to rein in expenses for the festival. The Illinois Restaurant Association has long managed the festival, but the Emanuel administration announced in December they would be placing the management contract out to bid, as well.
Association president Sheila O'Grady, who was also former Mayor Richard M. Daley's longest-serving chief-of-staff, expressed confidence her organization's experience in handling Taste will play a factor in the festival's transitions.
“We are very hopeful the new plan is successful and we’re willing to do whatever we can to make that happen. Is it possible the Taste could keep changing? Yes, but change is a good thing. The department [of Cultural Affairs and Special Events] is committed to switching things up and making improvements. I respect them for doing that. I hope 2012 is the year the event can turn the corner financially.”But, she said, “In order to do that, it’s important for people to be excited about all the events and come out and support them. Family programming and entertainment [are essential], especially on weekends.”
Taste of Chicago drew 11 percent fewer visitors in 2011 and the total attendance was the lowest since 1986.