City To Charge For Taste Of Chicago Concert Seating, Gourmet Dining Options
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 14, 2012 8:20PM
Not everything at Taste of Chicago will be free this year. An ordinance was approved at today's City Council meeting that would open the door for the city to charge for seating during Taste concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell.
Mayor Emanuel said this is another necessary change for the annual food festival to turn a profit.
“Every year for the last, I think it’s three years, the Taste has lost money. At the end of the day, taxpayers are on the hook. So, I said we’re gonna make changes. We’re gonna try something different,” the mayor said.
More details were revealed about the participation of name chefs at this year's fest during today's meeting. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events are planning a "Celebrity Chef du Jour" tent, where a different chef will cook a three-course, $40 dinner every day during Taste. Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel listed chefs such as Stephanie Izard, Jimmy Bannos, Graham Elliot, Tony Mantuano and Carlos Gaytan will participate.
Astute readers will remember former Mayor Richard M. Daley solicited bids in 2010 for private companies to manage Taste of Chicago. The only bid submitted proposed charging a $20 admission for the privilege of gnawing on giant turkey legs in the middle of summer and as much as $65 admissions to the music events at the Petrillo before Daley reversed course.
Emanuel, it's worth noting, hasn't gone that far. But he talked tough in acknowledging these new admissions may turn away potential Taste attendees.
“Nobody’s forcing you. I’m not telling you you have to go. What I’m suggesting is we try to reform this so taxpayers aren’t on the hook. If you want to go listen to the music, it will cost.”