What’s for dinner? – Meetings + events

most likely, If you were going out to eat with a group of friends during your free time, you wouldn’t limit everyone in the party to just one or two dishes from the menu. But due to the sheer volume of food required, providing attendees with the same freedom at almost any corporate or association gathering is a daunting task.

However, there does exist a great solution to this problem for Chicago meeting planners: the city’s many food courts. These venues offer a variety of cuisines, are designed for groups, and can enhance team building through cocktail-making classes, trivia contests, and other engaging activities.

If you’re in the mood for a Vietnamese sandwich while your co-workers are salivating over Australian meat pies, schedule an event meal at a Chicago food court.

From Here On is a food court opening in 2022 at the Old Chicago Post Office on West Van Buren Street along the Chicago River, featuring a variety of vendors serving everything from traditional barbecue to Indian cuisine. The space is open seven days a week and can host semi-private and private events daily, with a capacity of 350 people and river views.

“The vendors are local entrepreneurs and chefs, and we’ve watched them grow in the tight-knit Chicago community,” notes Tim Wickes, director of operations for From Here On. Weeks says meeting planners “can choose from interactive food stations, themed buffets or curated menus to suit your group’s preferences. We also offer flexible bar packages and interactive cocktail-making classes. Let us know what you have in mind and we’ll make it happen it.”

When asked about a delicious dish at the market, Weeks shared, “I really like Babygold Barbecue’s How About Turkey? A bowl of smoked turkey, red beans and rice, braised veggies, salad, red onions and a dusting of “Magic Powder,” a spicy seasoning infused with paprika, cumin, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper.

Time Out Market Chicago, located near the Fulton Market District, can accommodate up to 800 people for market-wide buyout events, and Tony’s Rooftop Bar, a private event space on the third floor, can accommodate 125 people. Time Out Market Chicago offers several options for groups, such as a “taste of the market” that includes a signature dish from each of the 13 vendors, as well as a preloaded event card option that allows attendees to order from any vendor. Choose a meal.

“Time Out Market Chicago offers curated collections of top chefs and restaurant chefs as well as culinary and cultural experiences, all in a unique building,” said Tiffany Pruitt-Melvin, national events sales manager for Time Out Market, the Chicago location’s parent company. . She also noted the space’s bright, vibrant colors, adding: “Arts and culture are an integral part of Time Out Market’s ethos, with the work of local artists prominently displayed throughout the space. A striking two-piece The first floor of the mural is dedicated to Virgil Abloh, an influential Chicago luxury streetwear designer, and is a testament to Chicago’s rich artistic heritage.”

Located on North Clinton Street inside the 1911 Ogilvy Transportation Center, the Chicago French Market celebrates the legacy of traditional French markets in Europe. In fact, this food court is run by the Bensidoun family, the largest operator of indoor and outdoor markets in Paris, France, and has been running such markets for generations. General manager Leslie Cahill notes: “It’s a very casual, European-themed market. It’s a very earthy, organic place and it’s always changing.”

The food hall can accommodate 300 people, but larger events can be expanded to the transportation center’s commuter hall. With 20 vendors, Chicago French Market has the largest number and variety of cuisines of any food court in the city — offering Filipino cuisine, sushi, Montreal-style pastrami, Cajun dishes and more. Cahill also noted, “It’s food from the neighborhood and from around the world. Chicago is a city made up of neighborhoods, and all neighborhoods have their own ethnic component; we really try to respect and support these businesses in the community.”

Pancakes at the Market, for example, was Chicago’s first pancake house. Pancakes are China’s most popular street snack. “It’s a Chinese pancake that’s very flavorful, really delicious,” Cahill said.

Meanwhile, at Aster Hall Chicago (connected to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and the luxury retailer’s 900 Northern Michigan stores), attendees will find a two-story food hall with bar and learning event space, as well as a rooftop Top golf swing suite. upper layer.

Annie Flores, associate director of sales for Aster Hall, sees advantages for planners of a two-story food hall with seating for 750 people. “We can definitely have multi-level events. Groups can buy out the entire food court and we’ll basically tailor the experience to their needs and vision,” she said.

Aster Hall is part of the Hogsalt Hotel Company, known for Chicago restaurants such as Small Cheval. Many of Hogsalt’s restaurants have locations in the food court. “From sushi to tacos, Mediterranean to pasta, there’s something for everyone,” Flores said. “I think it’s really special to go somewhere and have something that appeals to everyone’s palate. Plus. , Aster Hall also offers stunning views of the glittering city lights of Michigan Avenue and an exceptional hospitality team.”

asterhallchicago.com
frenchmarketchicago.com
from hereonchicago.com
timeout market website