Pastoral Doubles The Vendors For Artisan Producer Festival

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Apr 9, 2012 9:00PM

Last year 35 vendors filled the Chicago French Market for Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine's inaugural Artisan Producer Festival and were blown away by the turnout. So Pastoral has upped the ante for this year's edition on April 28.

This year's event features over 70 vendors from around the world, bringing their best small batch food, beer, wine and spirits to the festival. Scheduled events throughout the day will include a cheese wrapping contest sponsored by Formaticum, an avocado tasting for kids (and grown-ups) with The Good Food Project—sponsored by Avocados from Mexico—and Best of the Fest competition with food industry luminaries voting on their favorite featured artisans and products. Other activities will also be planned for attendees of all ages.

Pastoral already carries many of the participating vendors in their stores, and this event also serves to highlight some of Pastoral's French Market neighbors. Best of all, the event is free. (If you must drive downtown for this, parking is available for $6 at 165 N. Clinton, located across the street from the French Market.)

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine's second annual Artisan Producer Festival will be held April 28 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Chicago French Market, 131 N. Clinton St.