Spring Beauty, Saturday Markets, and Chef Pix
Lots going on to close out April's final work week
All This Photo Needs is a Partridge
I always think that Chicago is beautiful, but it really sparkles on a cloudless day like Thursday’s. This is a flowering pear tree in bloom in my Lakeview East neighborhood.
A rabbit enjoying the sun and resting in the tall grass.
Reminder: Outdoor Markets to Close Out April
Here is Saturday’s still-light outdoor farmers market schedule, which includes the season opener for The Lincoln Park Farmers Market in Chicago and the Woodstock Farmers Market in exurban McHenry County.
As for our pesky spring weather, there is rain in the Saturday forecast, but the hourly forecasts on three different weather sites say it won’t kick in until late morning. So get out early and support our local farmers. If you’re at The Lincoln Park or Green City markets, you might see me there. Old hippie-looking guy taking pictures and buying asparagus.
Next week, the season gets on a roll…
Saturday, April 30
Grayslake Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 201 Center St.
Green City Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park, Chicago
Logan Square Pop-Up Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2800 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago*
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2001 N. Orchard, Chicago
Woodstock Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Historic Woodstock Square
* The Logan Square Pop-Up Markets are special events and are located at Solidarity Triangle, not the regular outdoor Logan Square Farmers Market location nearby. The official Logan Square outdoor market season begins Sunday, May 14 at its regular location.
More Photos from Ina’s Birthday Bash
Thursday’s Issue of Local Food Forum featured a recap of the Chicago Chefs Cook fundraiser for non-profits Pilot Light and Green City Market, which doubled as a celebration of Ina Pinkney — the retired restaurateur dubbed The Breakfast Queen of Chicago — who recently celebrated her 80th birthday.
The event drew the participation of much of Chicago’s chef royalty, and there were too many photos to cram into one newsletter yesterday. So here’s another bunch. There’s a whole lot of culinary talent on display here.
The married couple of Chef Jason Hammel and Amalea Tschilds, co-founders of Lula Cafe, a pillar of Chicago’s farm to table community. Jason is a co-founder of Pilot Light, the food education non-profit that, along with Green City Market, benefited from the Chicago Chefs Cook fundraiser.
Chef Tigist Reda of Demera Ethiopian Restaurant and Darren Gest, a member of the Chicago Chefs Cook leadership team. Tigist is a native of the Ethiopian province of Tigray and was the force behind the group’s second event, Chicago Chefs Cook for Tigray, which took place last September and raised money to provide crucial medical services for those displaced by warfare in the province.
Chef Devon Quinn (right) of Eden restaurant has won acclaim for his devotion to local sourcing, which includes his own greenhouses that grow food for his culinary creations. He is married to Jodi Fyfe, owner of Eden and The Paramount Group catering company and a member of the Chicago Chefs Cook leadership team.
Nikolaos Kapernaros, executive chef of Avli on the Park, which hosted the March 20 Chicago Chefs Cook fundraiser for World Central Kitchen’s effort to feed those displaced by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Chef D’Andre Carter of Soul & Smoke.
Chef Andrew Zimmerman of Proxi and Sepia.
Chef Christine Cikowski of Honey Butter Fried Chicken. I interviewed Christine and co-owner Josh Kulp when they were just building out the restaurant, which became an immediate hit when it opened in 2013. OMG, has it been 10 years already? There are celebrations being planned for later this year.
Chef Kevin Hickey (center) of The Duck Inn.
Casey Doody, pastry chef for the GT restaurants. Casey prepared an amazing chocolate dessert for The Evolved Network fundraising dinner at Demera Ethiopian Restaurant on April 18.
Sandra Holl (left), chef/owner of Floriole Cafe & Bakery, with Ali Scott, a chef who works as a freelance consultant… and who earlier in her career was a bread intern at Floriole.
Arshiya Farheen and her team from Verzênay Patisserie, where she is head chef and co-owner with husband Aqeel Wahiduddin.