The Montgomery Club (500 W. Superior St.), a private dining venue helmed by Gibsons Restaurant Group, hosted the first Chicago James Beard Foundation Chefs Night Out® Sunday, May 3. Chefs’ Night Out is the party before the annual James Beard Foundation Awards, which took place May 4, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Past winners and present nominees along with culinary industry and city leaders gathered together to enjoy Gibsons Restaurant Group’s iconic Chicago hospitality.
As a Chicago institution, Gibsons Restaurant Group, owned by Steve Lombardo and Hugo Ralli, was a natural fit for the Chefs’ Night Out event to kick-off The James Beard Foundation Awards’ first year in the Windy City.
Gibsons Restaurant Group Managing Partner John Colletti explains, “When the James Beard Foundation Executive Committee toured the city with Choose Chicago to understand the excellence of Chicago’s culinary community, they dined at Gibsons & Steakhouse for lunch. We wanted to showcase what defines Chicago’s hospitality to us with great food and memorable service. We’re honored to be selected as the host for the Foundation’s Chefs’ Night Out celebration as part of the Awards’ weekend.”
Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, The Montgomery Club is a luxurious private event venue, and is the newest addition to Gibsons Restaurant Group. The Montgomery Club provides an unmatched level of personal service and cuisine, which has become synonymous with Gibsons Restaurant Group. As guests arrived, they entered into a timeless setting with classic décor – a convivial space fitted with rich mahogany wood millwork and decorations commemorating the city. For the event, the patio space was transformed with a unique clear-top tent, along with custom branded bars and three large custom chandelier installations by Event Creative.
Highlights of the night include:
Gibsons Restaurant Group Managing Partner John Colletti explains, “When the James Beard Foundation Executive Committee toured the city with Choose Chicago to understand the excellence of Chicago’s culinary community, they dined at Gibsons & Steakhouse for lunch. We wanted to showcase what defines Chicago’s hospitality to us with great food and memorable service. We’re honored to be selected as the host for the Foundation’s Chefs’ Night Out celebration as part of the Awards’ weekend.”
Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, The Montgomery Club is a luxurious private event venue, and is the newest addition to Gibsons Restaurant Group. The Montgomery Club provides an unmatched level of personal service and cuisine, which has become synonymous with Gibsons Restaurant Group. As guests arrived, they entered into a timeless setting with classic décor – a convivial space fitted with rich mahogany wood millwork and decorations commemorating the city. For the event, the patio space was transformed with a unique clear-top tent, along with custom branded bars and three large custom chandelier installations by Event Creative.
Highlights of the night include:
- Five Chicago-themed gourmet food stations presented by Gibsons Restaurant Group Corporate Executive Chef Randy Waidner and Quartino Ristorane & Wine Bar Co-Founder and Executive Chef John Coletta featured dishes from the group’s iconic menus such as:
- Quartino House Cured Salumi
- Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House Fresh Oysters
- Gibsons U10 Shrimp Cocktail
- Gibsons Classic Filet Mignon Sliders with Maitr’d butter
- A carving station showcased Gibsons’ own USDA Gibsons Prime Angus Beef Program. Gibsons is the first and only restaurant group in the country with an exclusive USDA certification. Cuts of protein included, Grilled 19-ounce Prime Sirloin and Shaved Prime Rib
- Other quintessential Chicago dishes included:
- A Vienna Street Hot Dog Cart with umbrella and all the iconic fixings of mustard (not ketchup!), relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, celery salt, and a pickle, along with the Maxwell Street Polish Sausage
- At midnight, customized tins of Garretts Popcorn were served by the staff decked out in Garretts-themed attire
- A strategic partnership with Breadcrumb Pro presented guests with an interactive photo booth, Phhhoto®, to enhance guest experience
- Attendees enjoyed late-night snacks from Chicago’s top food trucks such as: Beaver’s Donuts, Fat Shallot, 5411 Empanadas, and Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
- The LUXBAR, a Gibsons restaurant, beverage team created a signature libation of the evening including the Roadside Attraction with Dewar’s 12 Year, Amaro Averna, lemon juice, and thyme-infused honey
- Additional specialty cocktails, sponsored by Bacardi and Tanqueray 10, included: Old Cuban, Cuban Bramble, and Cielo Rojo by Bacardi; and French 75, Green on Green, and Knickerbocker by Tanqueray 10
- Craft beer selections were presented by Goose Island and wines of Bulgaria and Rioja
- Adding to the convivial celebration was music presented by celebrity DJ White Shadow
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