Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Commissioner Michelle Boone today to announce the lineup of 69 restaurants that will participate at the 36th Annual Taste of Chicago – the world's largest free food festival – this July 6–10 in Grant Park. Showcasing Chicago’s diverse culinary scene, this year’s expanded list of five-day vendors, pop-up restaurants and food trucks will offer Taste-goers an endless variety of dining options to suit every palate.

“Summer in the city means it’s Taste of Chicago season, a tradition that Chicagoans and visitors look forward to each year for the opportunity to sample some of the newest cuisines that our renowned culinary scene has to offer,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As our culinary reputation has grown on the national and international stage, the Taste of Chicago has become an even more important summer festival, supporting jobs for our residents and reflecting Chicago’s vibrant and diverse restaurant scene.”

Taste of Chicago will welcome 20 newcomers to the event in 2016 – including 3 new five-day restaurants, 6 new food trucks and 11 new pop-up participants who will sell for one or two days. The new food vendors are: Abundance Bakery; Arami; Auntie Vee's; BRGRBELLY; Da Lobsta; Demera Ethiopian Restaurant; Doom Street Eats; Firecakes Donuts; Frannie's Café Inc; Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken; The Happy Lobster Truck; La Jefa; La Patrona; MAD Social; nana; Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine; Pork & Mindy's; Rojo Gusano; Taco in a Bag and Texas de Brazil.

“The Illinois Restaurant Association is proud to have been involved in Taste of Chicago since its inception,” said Sam Toia, President & CEO. “Every year, attendees enjoy a diverse lineup of Chicago restaurants showcasing cuisines of the world—from American, Japanese and Italian to Ethiopian, global street fare, and more. In addition to a stellar lineup of long standing and new five-day vendors, we’re pleased to report a record for pop-up restaurants this year—17 total! We look forward to welcoming participating restaurants and attendees to this annual celebration, which continues to evolve in a way that truly reflects Chicago’s vibrant restaurant culture.”

The 36th Annual Taste of Chicago will again highlight acclaimed Chicago chefs at the Celebrity Chef du Jour. This 2016 celebrity chefs are Chef Graham Elliot of Graham Elliot Bistro with Masterchef Junior Season 4 Winner Addison (July 6 at 6:30 pm), Chef Kevin Hickey of The Duck Inn (July 7 at 6:30 p.m.), Chef Patrick Sheerin of Trenchermen (July 8 at 6:30 pm), Chef Chris Macchia of Nonnina (July 9 at 6:30 pm) and Chef Abraham Conlon of Fat Rice (July 10 at 5 pm).

Attendees of the Celebrity Chef du Jour will enjoy a sit-down, three-course meal in an air-conditioned and decorated dining pavilion for only $45 per person (limit 4 tickets per person). Tickets for the dining experience must be purchased in advance and will go on sale Friday, May 20 at 10 a.m. on the festival website tasteofchicago.us. Additionally, many of the celebrity chefs will show-off their skills at the FREE Lifeway Foods Taste Kitchen cooking demonstration area also located on Buckingham Fountain Plaza.

The festival will also dish up culinary programs including the Celebrity Chef du Jour, a ticketed three-course dining experience cooked by one of Chicago’s renowned chefs; the new CH Distillery Spirit Lounge, beer and wine gardens, the Lifeway Foods Taste Kitchen chef demonstration area and the Food for Thought Podcast Pavillion.

All 69 food vendors will offer signature items, as well as the popular “Taste Of” portions priced at $2.50 or less, allowing guests the opportunity to sample an even greater variety of items. Many will also include Humana Healthier Choice selections for those seeking lighter options. Admission to the Taste of Chicago is FREE, and tickets for food and beverages can be purchased in strips of 12 tickets for $8.50. Whether craving the robust flavors found in ethnic cuisine, epicurean delights, sweet treats or classic Chicago dishes – and more – Chicagoans and visitors won’t want to miss this year’s Taste!

The Taste of Chicago has seen a surge in popularity since it was shortened to five days and added new elements, including the Celebrity Chef du Jour dining pavilion, pop-up restaurants, food trucks, culinary podcasts and chart-topping musical acts. Last year's 35th edition of the Chicago's iconic festival served culinary delights to 1.4 million visitors and turning a profit of more than $320,000. The event contributes $106 million annually in total business activity to the Chicago economy.

Taste of Chicago is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in coordination with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which manages food and beverage operations. The festival is sponsored in part by Bud Light, CH Distillery, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Transit Authority, Communications Direct, CLTV-Chicagoland’s Television, Eli’s Cheesecake Company, Humana, Illinois Lottery, Lifeway Foods, Pepsi, Shoreline Sightseeing, Southwest Airlines, V103, WGN-TV, WGCI, 101WKQX and 93XRT.

The 36th Annual Taste of Chicago is July 6–10 in Grant Park with hours 11 am - 9 pm, Wednesday - Friday, and 10 am - 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the FREE admission festival, call 312.744.3316 or visit tasteofchicago.us. To plan your trip to Chicago, visit choosechicago.com. Join the conversation on Facebook at Taste of Chicago and follow us on Twitter, @TasteofChi (#TasteofChi) and Instagram, @ChicagoDCASE (#TasteofChi).

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